Sunflowers

by Keezy Young

An autobiographical comic about one person's experience living with bipolar I disorder. From mania to depression to the balance beam of the everyday, Sunflowers explores the human complexity of an often misunderstood disorder with honesty and vulnerability.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Memoir, Mental Health, Adult, Graphic Novels Comics

24 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2024

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having loved Keezy Young’s work in Taproot, I was thrilled to discover they had a new, brief work out this year. Thank you Libraries. And thank you Keezy Young because this short but moving graphic novel, Sunflowers is as gorgeously illustrated as it is emotionally powerful and bravely open. Sunflowers is a brief graphic memoir with Young being open with their perspectives on experiencing both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. There is an incredible vulnerability and grace shown in the writing, combatting the stigmas of those living with bipolar disorder and also discussing how it isn’t always terrible. It is a really well done read that would be a comfort to those facing similar struggles as well as an excellent examination for those who have not and a reminder to have empathy and patience. ‘It’s isolating,’ Young writes, ‘knowing that even in mental health spaces, even among loved ones, your experiences are too scary or unacceptable to talk about without making it weird.’ This book is a bold and beautiful attempt to help open space for that conversation without making it weird.

Image text: And maybe if I share a little bit of what it’s like, someone out there will realize that I’m not a nightmare just because I experience one some of the time

Sunflowers is artistically gorgeous as well. The art moves into very abstract and surreal moments that convey a lot of emotion and visually capture the experiences. It is very text heavy but it works on pages that are very busy but so carefully organized that the near overload on the page only adds to the experience. I also liked the yellowed pages that give this a very 80s-zine sort of feel. Innovative and empathetic, this is a lovely little book.

‘the problem isn't that I want to die. The problem is that I want to live too much for the world to contain me, and I need to break free of myself before it kills me.’

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ‘subtitle’ on the front of this 23-page comic is “Most people think mania is fun.” It’s the opposite of fun and this autobiography shows why. It also brings in all the misconceptions people have and the thoughtless ways labels are used, and why this can cause real danger. I found it interesting that one of the resources listed in the back is An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison. I read that book years ago on the recommendation of its accuracy and it’s good to see that it still resonates with a later generation.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

i adore the art in this very brief graphic novel about living with bipolar I disorder. the work is seriously so beautiful! i love young's muted vintage style.

for such a short volume, this is remarkably informative and moving. young talks about clichés and misconceptions about bipolar I, and shares the reality of living with it permanently.

particularly resonant is the anguish of being in a supposedly safe space and sharing your mental health struggles, only to realize it's too intense for the room. it's isolating to feel like everything about you is too much.

i'm grateful to young for putting this book out there, but i certainly wouldn't have minded a longer version. it made me very excited to read taproot!

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

mannnnn the art is so good and the writing so honest and profound. i would looove a collected series like this just about people’s experiences with their mental illness, it’s so interesting to see how and where it overlaps with mine and others’. information is power and this short comic is so powerful!!

[Jess Klug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short but packs a punch! These lines gave me goosebumps: "...the problem isn't that I want to die. The problem is that I want to live too much for the world to contain me, and I need to break free of myself before it kills me."

[B. A. Balfour · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, read this

[this_eel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t always add things this short to my goodreads tally but I love the art and this expression of bipolar experiences so much. Some things which should be said are said by them, here! Great book design and a really lovely little dip into the waters of what mania looks like from the inside.

[anna b · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keezy Young's art is a gift, and this slim little comic about their experience with bipolar is so raw, real, beautiful.

"But it's isolating, knowing that even in mental health spaces, even among loved ones, your experiences are too scary or unacceptable to talk about without making it weird."

very very grateful for their honesty and vulnerability, putting this down on the page and out into the world.

[Haylee Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good. The artwork is beautiful, and the author did a great job at informing people about bipolar disorder

[Jenny (knasentjej) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Det var inte alls vad jag hade förväntat mig. Det var väldigt mycket text för att vara en grafisk roman. Dessutom tycker jag illustrationerna mest var färgkombinationer utan mening.

Jag rekommenderar att du läser "Taproot" istället för den här korta boken.

[Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunflowers is a visually gorgeous and emotionally honest account of living with Bipolar I Disorder. It is succinct yet emotional, and both beautifully designed and illustrated. I really think anyone who would like to learn more about the first-hand experience (or would like to feel less alone in their own experiences) would benefit from reading this.

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pretty much have no idea how to rate and review a book that a person has written about themselves.
Especially about their own mind.
What do I say really?

I like the way that this acknowledges and challenges the way that people like to “romanticize” certain aspects of the more “interesting” mental health disorders.
I think I see this happen a lot, especially online. My educational background is in mental health- so it is always both somewhat fascinating (and always quite frustrating).
I appreciated reading about the perspective of someone with one of these disorders (in this case, Bipolar I), and how they view that whole situation.

I also like the illustrations, and I think they fit in well with the overall vibe that this story has. Sort of… all of the place and “frantic” maybe? I’m not sure. But, I see what they’re going for.

This is like, under 30 pages.
So it’s a quick read. But I think it says a lot in a small number of words.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to read stories about things I don’t know that much about. I appreciated the honesty about how hard living with bipolar disorder is and the way people may judge. As well as common misconceptions. I also really liked the art style.

[Natasha Alterici · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and tender and incredible.

[hope h. · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is such a lovely little graphic novel autobio - both informative and a delight to read. there's a lot of raw honesty here that is complemented perfectly by the art, which is BEAUTIFUL. just gorgeous work in a nice muted color palette and almost a sort of art nouveau style? i just loved everything about it.

[chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a very validating read, I think, for anyone who struggles with mental illnesses that fall into the "oof that's a little too intense to talk about, bud" category.

[Raith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent first hand account of a person dealing with the highs and lows (mania and depression) of bi-polar disorder. This would be super helpful to people who are trying to understand the lived experience better or find representation to feel less alone

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young's art is always a treat. They know how to deftly tell the complete visual story and move a reader through the page. There is always a lot of atmosphere and organic movement.

The narrative around their mental health is great awareness around bipolar manic episodes that include hallucinations and add a bunch of compassionate insights into living with this type of neurodivergence.

[Kasey Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young tells us what it is like for her to live with bipolar disorder. It is gorgeous and heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. Through Young's art her reader can see just a bit of the the joy and the crushing darkness of this disorder. She is open and vulnerable and honest.

I discovered Young's work with Taproot which I also highly recommend, and while this book is much shorter, it certainly sends a stronger important message and opens a subject for the possibility of understanding and discussion. Plus her art is gorgeous, clean and full of movement. I certainly hope to see more from her.

[Eliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sunflowers
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ .5 (2.5/5) or 5.28/10 overall

Credibility/Research - 5

Authenticity/Uniqueness - 6

Writing - 6

Personal Impact - 4

Intrigue - 5

Logic/Informativeness - 6

Enjoyment - 5

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It’s a super short autobiographical comic about bipolar disorder, and I think it’s a great read for those who don’t know much about it and want to get a better understanding. There are also some great resources shared at the end!

[Amanda Esthelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, the art was stunning and this persons story was heartfelt in its pursuit to inform the reader of a struggle that is so stigmatized

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good depiction of what bi polar disorder is like, in the mind of someone who has it.

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal and honest

[Adrian Lyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art, page layout, and wow I'm so glad I picked this up on a whim today! The subject matter was so, so important and I feel like it really helped me understand bipolar disorder a lot more. mental health is so important.

[Gab · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...the problem isn't that I want to die. The problem is that I want to live too much for the world to contain me, and I need to break free of myself before it kills me." ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ(⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

[Ayxan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bipolar/borderline disorder has really interested me for a while, and thus I’m glad I found this graphic novel, especially that’s it’s free to read on the publisher’s website.

It’s short, but relatively informative. Wonderful art, which gives a good insight in how Keezy feels and lives with her disorder. Not that much new info for me, but was still a perspective worth reading.

-08.03.25

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick comic that so beautifully touches on what it’s like to live with BPD. Would love to see more series and illustrations like this.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

so short and so informative!! i didn’t realize the cycles that a bi polar person can go threw and this really helped me understand this disorder. puts things into perspective for me a bit based on loved ones i know with this diagnosis

[Mothlight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and potent introspective about living with Bipolar Disorder. I love Keezy Young's art very much. Wonderful little book.