BOOK REVIEW: Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, + Me. A graphic memoir by Ellen Forney.
It’s a hot summer afternoon down South, and I have just DEVOURED this graphic novel, “Marbles,” written and illustrated by Ellen Forney.
My copy of ‘MARBLES: MANIA, DEPRESSION, MICHELANGELO, +ME. A graphic novel by Ellen Fornay.
I had first discovered this novel a while back, and had eagerly jotted it down in my “Wishlist” note. I would love to transition into completely non digital for these things, but this is a convenience that I sometimes cannot deny.
And anyhow, like most of us in this consumerist age, it left my mind.
So when we were at a local bookstore,
-“NOWHERE Books,” for folks in San Antonio, or looking to visit. It’s an excellent spot to support.-
I was delighted to find it, with its striking multicolored spine, in the clearance section. For whatever reason! One I won’t question, as it was originally $20.
My adoring partner, whom I love endlessly and with an intensity unfathomable, bought it for me!
This is one of my favorite parts of our domestic queer bliss, taking turns treating the other at the bookstores we visit. We try to keep it local, and support queer/BIPOC/locally owned business.
Please feel free to leave some additional recommendations in the comments below!
I loved how upfront and raw ‘Marbles’ was.
It opens with a flashy scene, Ellen lays, topless, her hair is styled in curls, a neon sign is illustrated beyond her.
She is in the process of receiving her first, and decidedly, ONLY, tattoo.
It features a large illustrative design of a whale, smokey water erupting from its blowhole, several characters floating through the streams.
From an outside perspective, this seems like a headstrong manic decision, made in hours of perceived darkness.
Though it should be noted that Ellen had deliberated on this for years, her thoughts consumed with concepts and flowcharts, deciding who would design it, and where it would be, and who it would feature.
This choice, a full back piece, a stereotype of “instability,” seems to me like one of intention; A grounding force. The tattoo is seen multiple times throughout the memoir, even in small peeks beyond the top of a shirt.
My copy of ‘MARBLES: MANIA, DEPRESSION, MICHELANGELO, +ME. A graphic novel by Ellen Fornay.
Ellen is incredibly upfront about her inner dialogue in “Marbles.”
From manic monologues, detailing feelings of overzealous confidence, even remarking that, if in a room with Madonna, she would not feel nervous at all! Coupled by depressive bumbles of low self worth, lack of self trust, an inability to recall the feelings of sensationalism from before.
This dichotomy is intense, a mental tango, that follows Ellen through the memoir, and shows itself through candid moments, with creative collaborators, family, and friends, as well as deliberate, intense, conversations with her psychiatrist, Karen.
My copy of ‘MARBLES: MANIA, DEPRESSION, MICHELANGELO, +ME. A graphic novel by Ellen Fornay.
I think what sticks out to me so much about “Marbles” is how relatable it is.
Ellen was 7 in ‘75 (A nod to her other novel), and navigated a world of psychiatry, medications, and social situations that was still early in development. She’s open about her struggles with being prescribed Lithium, which was one of the only options she had with long term studies done on it, but brought her struggles with acne, weight gain, and most frightening- memory issues.
I was not yet even an egg in ‘75, but still I found myself fully engrossed with each page, saying “Huh,” and feeling… seen.
Ellen does an excellent job at showing the fullness of mental health. The silent depths of pain, and the merry-go-round whirls of mental highs.
I cannot recommend this read enough.
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