Strikingly illustrates (and demystifies) disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia, and bipolarism.” —Elle Magazine
“Straight-forward, engaging, and possessed with both great clarity and a world of sympathy for its subject matter, Cunningham's series of essays about those suffering from mental illness and the way they're treated by modern society should sit comfortably on shelves next to works like Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis in terms of its easy accessibility to a wide range of readers and the humane voice that emanates from its pages. Its final chapter, in which Cunningham details his personal troubles in the course of making the work, is as affecting as any comics short story in recent memory. One imagines Psychiatric Tales defining, at least in significant fashion, the Yorkshire, England-based artist's career for years to come.” —The Comics Reporter
“Heartfelt…With Psychiatric Tales, Cunningham has crafted his own effective way to help both himself and other sufferers of mental illness.” —NPR.org
“Psychiatric Tales does a great job explaining this, and it would likely serve as an excellent tool for anyone who is coping with mental illness in their own family.” —GraphicNovelReporter.com
“This gem of a book examines a wide range of mental-health issues as well as Cunningham's personal experiences with mental illness…The concise and poignant tales, while self-contained, build upon each other and create a framework that allows Cunningham to effectively question the stigmas associated with mental illness. His inviting cartooning style mixes contrasting backgrounds with simple line drawings that leave a stark impression. The overall message—that mental illness is biochemical in origin and deserves the same kind of sympathy as other serious illnesses—is one that deserves to be heard.” —Booklist
“Speaking with compassion and clarity, Cunningham tells of his own struggles with severe anxiety and depression. creating a valuable tool for both those within the mental health profession and casual readers who may know someone with mental illness.” —Publishers Weekly
“An illustrated primer on mental illness that builds to personal revelation … The illustrations are compelling throughout.” —Kirkus Reviews
An illustrated primer on mental illness that builds to personal revelation.
Despite the title, most of these chapters are not traditional tales with narrative and characters. They are, instead, explorations of various psychiatric illnesses common in the wards where Cunningham worked as a health-care assistant. In his book-length debut, the author, who created the Web comics Super Sam and John-of-the-Night and The Streets of San Diablo draws on his experience with patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, dementia, depression, bipolar disorder and other illnesses. Despite the darkness of much of the material—as reflected in the black-and-white drawings, polarities that the illustrator exploits to creative effect—the prevailing tone is one of compassion. As Cunningham explains in the introduction, this is "intended to be a stigma busting book...needed because fear and ignorance of mental illness remains widespread in society." Most of the text is similarly straightforward, but the art is more revelatory, as it illuminates brain patterns, brain disease and psychological conditions. Yet there are flashes of deadpan humor as well, particularly in the chapter titled "Anti-Social Personality Disorder," in which the author relates how a condition that sometimes results in criminal behavior shares traits that society generally considers normal: "Selfishness, lack of empathy, superficiality, and manipulativeness...are highly valued in the worlds of business, politics, the law, and academia." In the chapter titled "People With Mental Illness Enrich Our Lives," the author focuses on a variety of luminaries—from Winston Churchill and Judy Garland to Nick Drake and Brian Wilson—who have struggled with mental conditions. "How I Lived Again" provides testimony on how the artist's own mental illness led to his interest in the subject (as well as his employment in the field) and how his art proved crucial in his recovery.
The illustrations are compelling throughout, but the narrative is more powerful when it is more personal and specific.
