I Need Art: Reality Isn’t Enough: A memoir in images from the iconic South Korean Sally Rooney illustrator

by Henn Kim

Everything I feel from reading and listening to music
I commit to paper in black pen
And gradually, blot by blot, stroke by stroke,
A new mode of expression emerges.
At this point, it's just scribbles in a diary
Not yet reborn as “Henn Kim” of the future.
_________________________________

Depression and creativity, love and family, books and this personal and vulnerable memoir by the iconic South Korean illustrator explores her life from the ages of seventeen to thirty-three through image, text and poetry. From what nearly broke her to what saved her, everyone will find something to comfort them in Henn Kim's world.

Praise for Starry Night, Blurry Dreams:

'A compelling and unique collection that is more than worthy of a place on your bookshelves' Red

'A poignant commentary on the complex emotions that affect all of us at one point or another, from heartbreak to fantasy to sorrow' Creative Review

Genres: Art, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Memoir

Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

Reviews

[Caitlin Holloway · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would’ve been better for me if it wasn’t labelled as a memoir. It didn’t have a lot of texture or detail to it, with one or two very surface level lines of text on each page which seemed to serve more as a drawing prompt than a sincere retelling of the author’s story. It wasn’t the worst, but as someone who is quite fond of memoirs (particularly ones that are illustrated or about either mental health or the queer community) I thought this left too many opportunities to see what this book lacked. I liked it enough, but didn’t get much from the reading experience.

[Ami Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Christian M. T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very beautiful and minimalistic memoir on love and creativity.

A comforting read and amazing art.

We all need art.

[Adrini Chia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this not realizing its a memoir, and I felt at peace in the start and end, cause it was relatable to a time in my life when I felt very alone, then, when I found out it was a memoir, I was like Wow! Im so glad the author shared this!

I initially picked up this book just because it was thick and hardcover lol, and flipped through just to see some art -i had no interest in actually reading it, but then I read a rather depressing passage.

"I fall asleep crying, and wake up crying, reality is terrifying"
This was my life for a few years, crying at every bus ride, waking up crying, nightmares of death till I was afraid of sleep. Then I thought, and that wasn't even when I had insomnia and couldn't sleep, or would live off 2 hours a day! Then I flipped the page and
"Suddenly, even the nights chase me away - I can't fall asleep. The pain of trying and failing to fall asleep is a whole other torture."
This was what made me decide to finish reading the book, because it felt like me, and I thought to myself "Man, I really wasn't alone".

It's abt a girl who is growing but feels stuck at her younger age, reminding herself that it's OK to not have a dream but to just do what you like

"For me, the last is a recording of sorrow. Even if there are good memories, the reality of never being able to return is a sad echo."

She loses herself in music, letting the sounds keep her heart beating
And turning to books, sleeping, eating to escape her reality.

I loved the illustrations when she described how tiring life was, that you feel so drained no matter what you do, that the depression just makes you tired.

"It upsets me to think that I'm orbiting around you. It makes me angry that I only look at and think about you. I'm just rotating around you. Is this really love?"
Reminded me of a time of my life I was highly obsessive, distracting myself, loving others because it kept the pain away but unknowingly hurting the people I love.

Eventually it does get into a lighter tone where she starts to regain hope for life again.
"I am the one who destroys and saves myself. I depend on me - Even my depression is starting to be treated (though it does seem a bit belated) - I don't want to have the same regrets I did at nineteen"

Now, that. That sounds like present day me. Haha.
I enjoyed this , because I could relate it, and I like that it addresses relapse too.

[amanda]

a friend of mine lent me this book and said: the combination of writing and drawing made me think of you because you're so good at both. and he's so nice and it's so sweet, mostly because i'm not really good at either but i just love writing and i just love art. like henn kim, writing and art have been the two things that have kept me going, the two things that i've most consistently fallen back on when i've felt the most raw and the most emotional. the style of this book isn't quite my cup of tea, but it's really creative and heartfelt all the same.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artist illustrates her own story in a beautiful and creative way that gives the book a special kind of mood. I found her story deeply relatable and even though it is sad in many places, it also conveys a sense of cautious hope and resilience.

[Anna Azarenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always love Henn Kim’s art, but this volume resonated with me on so many levels. This deserves more than 5 stars.

[Beverley Faulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a wonderful book.

[Jessica Scarfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great graphics

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this.

[Noshin Hoque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart touching & heart breaking as well 💔

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.49
The highlights are good, the lowlights too many

[Celestine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tämä lähti kirjastosta mukaan pelkän nimen perusteella. Kuvituksista tykkäsin, tekstiosuuksissa oli samaistuttavia hetkiä, mutta kokonaisuutena ei koskettanut niin paljon kuin odotin tai toivoin.

[Indy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork on the becoming of Henn Kim, how she dealt with her depression and became an artist.

[Zita · Rating 5 out of 5]

very relatable memoir of an artist

[V · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps I was designed to hate this. A different flavour of depressive.


I need art because reality on its own is not enough not to escape reality. To mold it. To understand it deeper.

[Aylin Kuhls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a artful inspiring memoire about living with depressions. Even though it is very minumalistic, it's kinda wholesome and the art is fascinating.

[Tantravahi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really interesting ideas in there. But it reads like she drew a LOT of strips and then someone said this could be a whole book and she decided it'll be a memoir and then smashed all the disjointed strips together and faked a flow. But interesting pictures individually.

[Charlotte (char.lottereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating : 4/5

Heartfelt. Intimate. Moving. I always have a special fondness for Henn Kim's illustrations. I felt like this was maybe her most personal collection yet. Thank you pansing distributions for sending me a review copy.