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Anxietyland
In the tradition of Allie Brosh and Roz Chast, award-winning popular cartoonist, writer, and illustrator Gemma Correll’s humorous and poignant graphic memoir about her lifelong struggle with severe anxiety.
Gemma brings readers into the surreal world of Anxietyland, an amusement park in her own mind. In essays packed with humor and pathos she captures the experience of mental illness—including severe anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, panic attacks, and disassociation—which can take her to a frightening and darkly funny world that “feels like a place apart from ‘real’ life.”
With humor that is both gentle and precise, and accompanied by her trademark illustrations, Gemma approaches mental illness in a uniquely imaginative and approachable way. And in the ultimate sleight of hand, she’s written a charming and moving book about anxiety that won’t make you feel anxious.
Gemma brings readers into the surreal world of Anxietyland, an amusement park in her own mind. In essays packed with humor and pathos she captures the experience of mental illness—including severe anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, panic attacks, and disassociation—which can take her to a frightening and darkly funny world that “feels like a place apart from ‘real’ life.”
With humor that is both gentle and precise, and accompanied by her trademark illustrations, Gemma approaches mental illness in a uniquely imaginative and approachable way. And in the ultimate sleight of hand, she’s written a charming and moving book about anxiety that won’t make you feel anxious.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2026
65 people are currently reading
1685 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 8, 2025
Fantastic, fabulous, funny. Loved every second of this
graphic memoir.
graphic memoir.
May 1, 2026
A delightful graphic novel memoir about what it’s like to live with severe anxiety and its cousin, depression. Gemma suffered from anxiety even as a child in England in the 90’s, and this book follows her journey growing up to university and to moving to the US into adulthood. A talented artist and writer, this book goes deep into the mind palace of how the mind lies to you, everything she tried to fix things, a variety of medical professionals and medications, and finally, a touching moment where Gemma the adult draws herself talking to Gemma child.
This journey is really well done in the cartoon format, and it would be a good read for anyone who has any kind of mental illness. Even young ones can appreciate what it is like to find panic and to try to run away from our mental health problems. There are a few British-isms but it is very relatable to anyone,
Particularly those recovering people pleasers.
Thank you to gallery books for the finished copy!
This journey is really well done in the cartoon format, and it would be a good read for anyone who has any kind of mental illness. Even young ones can appreciate what it is like to find panic and to try to run away from our mental health problems. There are a few British-isms but it is very relatable to anyone,
Particularly those recovering people pleasers.
Thank you to gallery books for the finished copy!
April 29, 2026
Gemma Correll, cartoonist superstar and queen of puns and pugs, has written a memoir!
It's about her mental health, coping with anxiety disorder and depression. And it is as funny, playful and thoughtful as her cartoons are.
I've known and loved Gemma's work for more than a decade now, collecting all the tote bags, pins, stickers and books I could get my paws on. Following her, her puggies and her journey on the interwebs has build one of those bizarre one-sided connections where you somehow feel like you have known a person for years but have in fact never met them and they don't even know you exist.
Gemma Correll's approachable, honest, not-taking-things-(including herself)-too-seriously artwork makes it very easy to feel a connection. In "Anxietyland", Gemma finds the words and the visuals to describe very complex matters: mental health is a pretty unamusing amusement park full of horrors.
As a regular visitor to Anxietyland and especially The Depression Obstacle Course, I can tell you that a book like this one was missing. It's fantastic!
Highly recommended <3!
It's about her mental health, coping with anxiety disorder and depression. And it is as funny, playful and thoughtful as her cartoons are.
I've known and loved Gemma's work for more than a decade now, collecting all the tote bags, pins, stickers and books I could get my paws on. Following her, her puggies and her journey on the interwebs has build one of those bizarre one-sided connections where you somehow feel like you have known a person for years but have in fact never met them and they don't even know you exist.
Gemma Correll's approachable, honest, not-taking-things-(including herself)-too-seriously artwork makes it very easy to feel a connection. In "Anxietyland", Gemma finds the words and the visuals to describe very complex matters: mental health is a pretty unamusing amusement park full of horrors.
As a regular visitor to Anxietyland and especially The Depression Obstacle Course, I can tell you that a book like this one was missing. It's fantastic!
Highly recommended <3!
February 10, 2026
This book was a fun read, despite it being about a serious and saddening experience. Gemma has created a wonderfully drawn graphic memoir of her life's experience of depression and anxiety. She lightens this with her depictions and manages to capture humour within her dark times. It reminded me very much of Allie Brosh's books as they both contain humorous, accurate descriptions of intense events. This makes the book extremely relatable for those who struggle with their mental health but also to a wider audience by making it easy to follow and digest. As someone who struggled and continues to struggle with mental health, this was like a warm hug - seeing how my thought processes and spirals can be more universally felt. It had great aha moments and also those where I'd exclaim, "YES!". I did find that some page layouts and clustered writing to be slightly overwhelming to look at and I wasn't always sure of the flow of the text. Sometimes, I would be reading a section only for my eyes to dart around to try to see which speech bubbles or captions I should read before. It could be distracting from the overall connection at times. This book would be great for anyone who wants to feel seen in their difficulties with mental health or to anyone who would like to understand others' thought processes and everyday challenges. It is also just a very enjoyable and entertaining graphic novel/memoir for those who enjoy that format of book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
May 7, 2026
This may actually be too relatable.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Gallery Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
In this graphic novel/memoir, Gemma Correll walks readers through her own Mental Health Journey™, including severe anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, dissociation, depression, and a brief stint of addiction. From childhood in the UK to moving to Berkeley in adulthood, Gemma Correll's anxiety has followed her across time and space, manifesting in various ways along the way. She checks into a partial hospitalization program (PHP), and goes between her current time in the PHP and her previous experiences with mental health.
Gemma Correll writes with such humor and charm despite the serious topic and debilitating ways in which anxiety impaired her daily life. She is candid about how she self-medicated with alcohol, how therapy didn’t work out at first, and her own experience with antidepressant medications. Anxietyland is a carnival, though not one you particularly want to visit. That said, she names and describes ways in which mood disorders can manifest, and provides the theme park analogy to break it down further. It’s quirky, but honestly one of the best depictions (figuratively and literally) of anxiety I’ve ever seen, and I have already been sharing this with everyone I know!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.
Read this book if you:
👯♀️ fangirled the Spice Girls (and low-key still love them)
📝 ever lied on your anxiety questionnaire because it gave you too much anxiety to answer accurately
🧠 loved the Inside Out movies (and saw yourself in the Anxiety character)
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
In this graphic novel/memoir, Gemma Correll walks readers through her own Mental Health Journey™, including severe anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, dissociation, depression, and a brief stint of addiction. From childhood in the UK to moving to Berkeley in adulthood, Gemma Correll's anxiety has followed her across time and space, manifesting in various ways along the way. She checks into a partial hospitalization program (PHP), and goes between her current time in the PHP and her previous experiences with mental health.
Gemma Correll writes with such humor and charm despite the serious topic and debilitating ways in which anxiety impaired her daily life. She is candid about how she self-medicated with alcohol, how therapy didn’t work out at first, and her own experience with antidepressant medications. Anxietyland is a carnival, though not one you particularly want to visit. That said, she names and describes ways in which mood disorders can manifest, and provides the theme park analogy to break it down further. It’s quirky, but honestly one of the best depictions (figuratively and literally) of anxiety I’ve ever seen, and I have already been sharing this with everyone I know!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.
Read this book if you:
👯♀️ fangirled the Spice Girls (and low-key still love them)
📝 ever lied on your anxiety questionnaire because it gave you too much anxiety to answer accurately
🧠 loved the Inside Out movies (and saw yourself in the Anxiety character)
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this graphic memoir, British illustrator/author Gemma Correll candidly shares her personal experiences living with anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and panic attacks. Telling her story with charming illustrations and sprinkles of humour, Correll has a lot to say about living with mental health struggles and how it has impacted her life.
As someone who lives with anxiety myself, I appreciate that she doesn't sugarcoat what it feels like to experience anxiety. She doesn't provide a quick fix (because there isn't one) and instead, she gives readers an authentic, lived-in view of anxiety and doesn't minimize the struggles, darkness and ups and downs ... and the really deep-dark-downs that some people experience.
I believe readers who are struggling with mental health will relate to her descriptions. But I also think it would help people who do not suffer from mental illness to better understand and empathize with what it feels like to live with anxiety.
While this graphic novel covers a serious topic, Correll shows her readers, with humour, heart, her own truth and a hopeful tone, that there can be a way to live with anxiety and learn how to manage it so it doesn't control our lives. This book will hopefully help to destigmatize mental health and provide some options and real-life experience for readers who are on their own mental health journey.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given to me via the NetGalley app in exchange for my honest review.
As someone who lives with anxiety myself, I appreciate that she doesn't sugarcoat what it feels like to experience anxiety. She doesn't provide a quick fix (because there isn't one) and instead, she gives readers an authentic, lived-in view of anxiety and doesn't minimize the struggles, darkness and ups and downs ... and the really deep-dark-downs that some people experience.
I believe readers who are struggling with mental health will relate to her descriptions. But I also think it would help people who do not suffer from mental illness to better understand and empathize with what it feels like to live with anxiety.
While this graphic novel covers a serious topic, Correll shows her readers, with humour, heart, her own truth and a hopeful tone, that there can be a way to live with anxiety and learn how to manage it so it doesn't control our lives. This book will hopefully help to destigmatize mental health and provide some options and real-life experience for readers who are on their own mental health journey.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given to me via the NetGalley app in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🎢😬 𝘼𝙣𝙭𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 // 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭
This book could have been written about my life, minus the inpatient care.
But seriously, nearly every experience described in this book is spot on!!! I wish they weren’t, but I certainly “felt” almost every emotion Gemma described. I found myself relating to this book through the subtle humor interspersed with anxiety inducing vignettes. I, too, often use humor to diffuse dark and stressful moments at times.
I honestly don’t read many adult graphic novels, but I feel that this is the perfect medium for this memoir. The pages are sometimes a chaotic mix of images and text, but I think it really works to convey the absolutely tumultuous discomfort and dissonance that anxiety brings with it.
The realness with which Gemma describes her self medicating and self soothing methods, that proved not to work, is so authentic and down to earth. The many facets of dealing with anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, and panic attacks are presented honestly and tactfully.
I think this is the perfect book for people plagued by the monster that is anxiety but also for those who would like to understand and be more empathetic towards those wrestling with that monster daily. Some people will feel seen through these pages, while others will gain new insights.
I will be recommending this book to everyone! I think anyone can find something meaningful in Gemma’s story.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
💫 Thank you @gallerybooks and @gemmacorrell for this #gifted copy!
This book could have been written about my life, minus the inpatient care.
But seriously, nearly every experience described in this book is spot on!!! I wish they weren’t, but I certainly “felt” almost every emotion Gemma described. I found myself relating to this book through the subtle humor interspersed with anxiety inducing vignettes. I, too, often use humor to diffuse dark and stressful moments at times.
I honestly don’t read many adult graphic novels, but I feel that this is the perfect medium for this memoir. The pages are sometimes a chaotic mix of images and text, but I think it really works to convey the absolutely tumultuous discomfort and dissonance that anxiety brings with it.
The realness with which Gemma describes her self medicating and self soothing methods, that proved not to work, is so authentic and down to earth. The many facets of dealing with anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, and panic attacks are presented honestly and tactfully.
I think this is the perfect book for people plagued by the monster that is anxiety but also for those who would like to understand and be more empathetic towards those wrestling with that monster daily. Some people will feel seen through these pages, while others will gain new insights.
I will be recommending this book to everyone! I think anyone can find something meaningful in Gemma’s story.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
💫 Thank you @gallerybooks and @gemmacorrell for this #gifted copy!
April 27, 2026
Thank you, Gallery Books, for this gifted finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Wow, this was brilliant! I was hooked from the title alone. If you have ever experienced anxiety, depression, or any form of mental illness, I think this would be an interesting read. I did take SSRIs for a while, until my doctor stopped me from the highest dose cold turkey. No one told me about brain zaps, and they are alarming! I dealt with those for about 9 months. Here’s a warning: never stop an SSRI cold turkey!
The most fascinating part about this memoir is that it’s in graphic form. Her graphics are stunning, funny, and very entertaining. I loved them and devoured this book in one day! It was so good at showing what it feels like to be on a roller coaster, and I’m so sad for her. I’m sad for all of those who are constantly ignored and told to “eat better or just stop feeling this way.” Mental health is so important and needs to be treated that way. We need to work better as a society to get this bad stigma away from mental health.
Gemma is very honest and raw in this book. While I don’t have the level of anxiety she has, there were many moments that I was nodding along. There are so many things that make sense looking back at when I was a child. The raindrops on the car window were like going back to that exact moment in my childhood! I applaud how candid and honest she is. I feel like these memoirs are so important to help us overcome the stigma, and people can realize they may need actual help, and that’s okay. There’s a lot going on in this world, and sometimes it’s too much to handle on our own.
Thank you, Gemma, for such an honest and raw look at your mental health journey.
Wow, this was brilliant! I was hooked from the title alone. If you have ever experienced anxiety, depression, or any form of mental illness, I think this would be an interesting read. I did take SSRIs for a while, until my doctor stopped me from the highest dose cold turkey. No one told me about brain zaps, and they are alarming! I dealt with those for about 9 months. Here’s a warning: never stop an SSRI cold turkey!
The most fascinating part about this memoir is that it’s in graphic form. Her graphics are stunning, funny, and very entertaining. I loved them and devoured this book in one day! It was so good at showing what it feels like to be on a roller coaster, and I’m so sad for her. I’m sad for all of those who are constantly ignored and told to “eat better or just stop feeling this way.” Mental health is so important and needs to be treated that way. We need to work better as a society to get this bad stigma away from mental health.
Gemma is very honest and raw in this book. While I don’t have the level of anxiety she has, there were many moments that I was nodding along. There are so many things that make sense looking back at when I was a child. The raindrops on the car window were like going back to that exact moment in my childhood! I applaud how candid and honest she is. I feel like these memoirs are so important to help us overcome the stigma, and people can realize they may need actual help, and that’s okay. There’s a lot going on in this world, and sometimes it’s too much to handle on our own.
Thank you, Gemma, for such an honest and raw look at your mental health journey.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ANXIETYLAND by Gemma Correll is a unique graphic memoir that I whizzed right through in just one evening. The author takes us through her journey (even though that word makes her cringe) of suffering from severe anxiety over the years. Through illustrations and snippets of past events, signs and symptoms of mental health struggles are evident in childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. Anxiety, depression, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and disassociation—the author has dealt with it all.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
𝘈 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥-𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭’𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦-𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴—𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥.
I believe this graphic memoir will make a lot of readers feel seen. I saw myself in some of these illustrations and founds bits and pieces relatable—as someone with a mild case of social anxiety. What surprised me the most was how funny this memoir is. Correll has a fantastic sense of humor that shines through even while recalling some of her darkest days. To find humor in such difficult moments is something I find quite remarkable and admirable.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, yet meaningful memoir to read next month for #memoirmay, please consider this one. 5/5 stars for ANXIETYLAND! Highly recommend! Grab a copy on release day—April 28th!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
𝘈 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥-𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘎𝘦𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭’𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦-𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴—𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥.
I believe this graphic memoir will make a lot of readers feel seen. I saw myself in some of these illustrations and founds bits and pieces relatable—as someone with a mild case of social anxiety. What surprised me the most was how funny this memoir is. Correll has a fantastic sense of humor that shines through even while recalling some of her darkest days. To find humor in such difficult moments is something I find quite remarkable and admirable.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, yet meaningful memoir to read next month for #memoirmay, please consider this one. 5/5 stars for ANXIETYLAND! Highly recommend! Grab a copy on release day—April 28th!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC
5 stars
I’ve followed Gemma Correll’s work for a long time, so I was really excited to read Anxietyland and it didn’t disappoint. What stands out most is her ability to balance humor with genuinely serious and often heavy topics. The wit never feels dismissive instead, it makes the difficult parts feel more approachable and real.
It was especially enjoyable to dive into a longer and personal piece of her work. Her expressive, distinctive illustrations add so much personality and emotion, perfectly complementing the themes she explores. They help bring to life experiences that can be hard to put into words.
The book touches on many deeply relatable aspects of living with anxiety and similar struggles—feeling overwhelmed by everything, wanting to escape your own body, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, and dealing with a lack of structure in daily life. It also thoughtfully reflects on the ways people cope, including masking mental health challenges to get through everyday situations.
Overall, Anxietyland feels honest, comforting, and validating. It’s a book that resonates strongly with anyone who has experienced similar feelings, while still being accessible and engaging thanks to Correll’s signature humor and style.
5 stars
I’ve followed Gemma Correll’s work for a long time, so I was really excited to read Anxietyland and it didn’t disappoint. What stands out most is her ability to balance humor with genuinely serious and often heavy topics. The wit never feels dismissive instead, it makes the difficult parts feel more approachable and real.
It was especially enjoyable to dive into a longer and personal piece of her work. Her expressive, distinctive illustrations add so much personality and emotion, perfectly complementing the themes she explores. They help bring to life experiences that can be hard to put into words.
The book touches on many deeply relatable aspects of living with anxiety and similar struggles—feeling overwhelmed by everything, wanting to escape your own body, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, and dealing with a lack of structure in daily life. It also thoughtfully reflects on the ways people cope, including masking mental health challenges to get through everyday situations.
Overall, Anxietyland feels honest, comforting, and validating. It’s a book that resonates strongly with anyone who has experienced similar feelings, while still being accessible and engaging thanks to Correll’s signature humor and style.
May 8, 2026
I bought this because of a Guardian article that showed some pages from this book and highlighted the link to alcoholism and anxiety and I thought it’d be interesting to read.
Unfortunately the Guardian actually showed all of that section of the book and the rest is very repetitive, going over basically the same psych ward meetings over and over and the same sort of agoraphobia and anxiety symptoms and triggers for about 400 pages all with a very simple and not particularly detailed or engaging cartoon style.
I read it all over 2 days, it’s got some good bits. The bit about the dog called Bella made me sad (I had a dog called Bella too). Some of it was hard to follow in what order things were going on.
I think the repetitiveness kind of sums up how thought loops actually are in real life, I’m not sure if that was the intention.
I felt a bit empty after reading it. Not really better. Maybe even a bit annoyed. I know it’s a mental illness. I have it too. But she is right that she’s super lucky and has a lovely husband and life and lives in California and makes a living doing drawings and I’m here by myself with no friends and anxiety and autism and yeah… what now?
It’s her story and maybe I’m being too self interested. It just didn’t make me feel any better or less alone in the way I thought it might.
Unfortunately the Guardian actually showed all of that section of the book and the rest is very repetitive, going over basically the same psych ward meetings over and over and the same sort of agoraphobia and anxiety symptoms and triggers for about 400 pages all with a very simple and not particularly detailed or engaging cartoon style.
I read it all over 2 days, it’s got some good bits. The bit about the dog called Bella made me sad (I had a dog called Bella too). Some of it was hard to follow in what order things were going on.
I think the repetitiveness kind of sums up how thought loops actually are in real life, I’m not sure if that was the intention.
I felt a bit empty after reading it. Not really better. Maybe even a bit annoyed. I know it’s a mental illness. I have it too. But she is right that she’s super lucky and has a lovely husband and life and lives in California and makes a living doing drawings and I’m here by myself with no friends and anxiety and autism and yeah… what now?
It’s her story and maybe I’m being too self interested. It just didn’t make me feel any better or less alone in the way I thought it might.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've been following author Gemma Correll on social media for ages, and have always appreciated the humourous slant she gives to mental health situations within her cartoons, so I was excited to read her new graphic novel memoir! In this new book she tackles many facets of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and agoraphobia as she tells her story, infusing her signature humour throughout. I thought she maintained a good balance between talking about these difficult situations and sprinkling in humour - it's real and honest, but also heartfelt and touching.
Readers of the author's previous work will recognize the art, and the author leans into her style to compliment the text and the message. There's even the use of an additional colour to help the reader follow the timeline as she moved between the present and the past.
I think anyone who has experienced situations similar to the author will relate, but also will leave this book with a sense of hope that it can get better. I also think those who haven't experienced these situations will come away with some understand and empathy. I'd recommend this book to everyone!
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Readers of the author's previous work will recognize the art, and the author leans into her style to compliment the text and the message. There's even the use of an additional colour to help the reader follow the timeline as she moved between the present and the past.
I think anyone who has experienced situations similar to the author will relate, but also will leave this book with a sense of hope that it can get better. I also think those who haven't experienced these situations will come away with some understand and empathy. I'd recommend this book to everyone!
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2025
Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada | Gallery Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and honestly review this book. Here is my review!
Sometimes our brain thinks it is protecting us but really it's hurting us.
In Anxietyland we are going threw a long and terrible episode the author had with their mental health and how anxiety & their mental health has impacted their life and views in many different situations.
This book shows that while we are all different and our challenges are different. sometimes the root or experience with our mental health are the same. I found many moments in this book that seems almost like a copy & paste from my own mental health spiral.
As someone who is depressed, suffers through anxiety & suicidal tendencies, it's terrifying to how hard it is to describe what an episode looks & feels like but they did such a good job. It's a mess & scary & throws you for a loop.
Progress is not linear is it a every day challenge and requires works and help.
I think this was a great book!
Sometimes our brain thinks it is protecting us but really it's hurting us.
In Anxietyland we are going threw a long and terrible episode the author had with their mental health and how anxiety & their mental health has impacted their life and views in many different situations.
This book shows that while we are all different and our challenges are different. sometimes the root or experience with our mental health are the same. I found many moments in this book that seems almost like a copy & paste from my own mental health spiral.
As someone who is depressed, suffers through anxiety & suicidal tendencies, it's terrifying to how hard it is to describe what an episode looks & feels like but they did such a good job. It's a mess & scary & throws you for a loop.
Progress is not linear is it a every day challenge and requires works and help.
I think this was a great book!
May 5, 2026
Thank you Gallery Books for my free copy. These thoughts are my own:
This book is like a gut-punch and a validation rolled into one. I'm a fan of Correll's art, not only for it's own sake but also for the positive representation she gives to mental health in general and anxiety in particular. Equally for those with anxiety, those who love people with anxiety, and for anyone seeking to understand their fellow human beings, this is a story-within-a-story of Correll's own mental health journey. In graphic novel form. It's amazing how she can use a limited number of colors but still create such vivid imagery--strategically using up space on the page to convey feeling. Anxiety doesn't define people, but it does affect them, and this book is consistent with that reality. I appreciate all Correll has done to bring this topic into general discourse, not the least of which is the creation of this beautiful book!
Triggers: a myriad of anxiety- and trauma-related content, including with children.
This book is like a gut-punch and a validation rolled into one. I'm a fan of Correll's art, not only for it's own sake but also for the positive representation she gives to mental health in general and anxiety in particular. Equally for those with anxiety, those who love people with anxiety, and for anyone seeking to understand their fellow human beings, this is a story-within-a-story of Correll's own mental health journey. In graphic novel form. It's amazing how she can use a limited number of colors but still create such vivid imagery--strategically using up space on the page to convey feeling. Anxiety doesn't define people, but it does affect them, and this book is consistent with that reality. I appreciate all Correll has done to bring this topic into general discourse, not the least of which is the creation of this beautiful book!
Triggers: a myriad of anxiety- and trauma-related content, including with children.
December 6, 2025
I was expecting to pick this up as a collection of Gemma Correll's typically very funny and relatable short comics. I was surprised at the longform narrative of her lifelong struggle with anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. I really appreciate that Gemma Correll was so open and candid with her struggles. Although I, personally, was not able to relate to most of what she went through, but the way she described it made me feel like I could at least understand the seriousness of what was happening to her.
I think this book will help a lot of people and hopefully will convey the message that people with these struggles are not struggling alone. I also hope that this book will illuminate the severity of anxiety and depression for those who simply have no idea how intense and all-consuming it can be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book pre-publication.
I think this book will help a lot of people and hopefully will convey the message that people with these struggles are not struggling alone. I also hope that this book will illuminate the severity of anxiety and depression for those who simply have no idea how intense and all-consuming it can be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book pre-publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really really enjoyed this story.
Although it was certainly an emotional read, the funny moments did help push through. I would certainly recommend this book to someone who wants to understand anxiety. Sharing feelings that can be hard to articulate can be difficult when wanting to show loved ones what you experience day to day. I will certainly give my partner this to read and I hope it will be helpful.
Gemma Corrells illustrations have always been a favourite of mine, and her pugs appear on a lot of my stickers and cards at home. Having a full book of her illustrations put in an amusement park setting was enjoyable to say the least.
Also LOVE that the end is not “the end”. Anxiety is not something you can rid yourself of, but ways you can live and not let it control you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gemma Correll for filling my cup and providing a great physical representation of mental illness.
Although it was certainly an emotional read, the funny moments did help push through. I would certainly recommend this book to someone who wants to understand anxiety. Sharing feelings that can be hard to articulate can be difficult when wanting to show loved ones what you experience day to day. I will certainly give my partner this to read and I hope it will be helpful.
Gemma Corrells illustrations have always been a favourite of mine, and her pugs appear on a lot of my stickers and cards at home. Having a full book of her illustrations put in an amusement park setting was enjoyable to say the least.
Also LOVE that the end is not “the end”. Anxiety is not something you can rid yourself of, but ways you can live and not let it control you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gemma Correll for filling my cup and providing a great physical representation of mental illness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Anxietyland is a graphic memoir that takes you on the full rollercoaster (pun intended) of the author's experience with mental illness. The book is deeply emotional and sad, but it infuses hopefulness and a touch of lightheartedness through its cartoony illustrations and humorous depictions.
I really enjoyed the metaphors throughout and especially loved the map at the beginning of the story depicting the amusement park that is the author's mind while going through their mental struggles. If you're into graphic memoirs that are darkly funny and emotional without minimizing the actualities of mental illness then give this a try.
Thanks NetGalley and Gallery Books|Simon & Schuster Canada for this free arc/copy of Anxietyland; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the metaphors throughout and especially loved the map at the beginning of the story depicting the amusement park that is the author's mind while going through their mental struggles. If you're into graphic memoirs that are darkly funny and emotional without minimizing the actualities of mental illness then give this a try.
Thanks NetGalley and Gallery Books|Simon & Schuster Canada for this free arc/copy of Anxietyland; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Finished this graphic novel in three sittings. I kept thinking about the author when I wasn’t reading the book. Really loved the illustrations and how openly she shared her struggles with anxiety and depression. She was able to capture the rollercoaster ride that is finding out something isn’t right with yourself, trying to self medicate, live in denial, and finally seeking treatment through the right avenues. It’s a repeated process of trial and error to try to get out of the vicious cycle of anxiety, while your brain continues to trick you. Some of the patterns she experienced felt repetitive but that’s just how real life works. So glad she’s in such a better place now and happy that she shared such a huge part of her life with us.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an advance copy with men
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an advance copy with men
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
- I received this book from NetGalley -
This is an interesting book in the sense that it jumps back and forth from the past catching up to where Gemma currently is on the timeline. The change from Red/Blue showing the two sides was a bonus as sometimes I would forget where she was. I did like how she described the symptoms from child to teenager to adult. I appreciated all the different aspects like how it took her a while to find a therapist to help, and how her partner can only help so far. Those were both very realistic situations and would help the reader understand.
I did have a hard time getting through this book as some of the parts are really descriptive and very hard to see someone going through it all.
Overall a good book for those wanting to see someone in a similar situation and get some pointers on what they could do.
This is an interesting book in the sense that it jumps back and forth from the past catching up to where Gemma currently is on the timeline. The change from Red/Blue showing the two sides was a bonus as sometimes I would forget where she was. I did like how she described the symptoms from child to teenager to adult. I appreciated all the different aspects like how it took her a while to find a therapist to help, and how her partner can only help so far. Those were both very realistic situations and would help the reader understand.
I did have a hard time getting through this book as some of the parts are really descriptive and very hard to see someone going through it all.
Overall a good book for those wanting to see someone in a similar situation and get some pointers on what they could do.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anxietyland
Written By: Gemma Correll
Releases on April 28, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Gemma Correll for providing me with an Advanced Copy to review! All opinions in this review are my own.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I AM CRYING. This book is so relatable to someone who struggles with their anxiety. Gemma hit all the points I’ve struggled with over the years and even illustrated some of the most effective tools in the anxiety toolkit that I’ve been given (ice, exposure, worksheets, etc). This book is an amazing journey, and one anyone who struggles with their mental health can relate with.
My Book Rating System
⭐️ means it was a DNF.
⭐️⭐️ means I should have chosen to DNF.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was okay. I will not read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was good. I will probably read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was amazing. I am obsessed!
Written By: Gemma Correll
Releases on April 28, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Gemma Correll for providing me with an Advanced Copy to review! All opinions in this review are my own.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I AM CRYING. This book is so relatable to someone who struggles with their anxiety. Gemma hit all the points I’ve struggled with over the years and even illustrated some of the most effective tools in the anxiety toolkit that I’ve been given (ice, exposure, worksheets, etc). This book is an amazing journey, and one anyone who struggles with their mental health can relate with.
My Book Rating System
⭐️ means it was a DNF.
⭐️⭐️ means I should have chosen to DNF.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was okay. I will not read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was good. I will probably read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was amazing. I am obsessed!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In my opinion, everyone should read this book because it’s the kind of book that can help destigmatize mental illness.
Those who struggle with their mental health will see that the journey is not linear and perhaps give some hope that the anxiety won’t always be so overwhelming. It might even help someone struggling feel less alone.
And as a mom of a kid who struggles with anxiety, let me just say that this book did a phenomenal job helping me understand what my kid deals with (and how his brain works).
Even though this book covers a serious topic, the graphic memoir format makes it easy to read and digest.
Correll doesn’t sugar coat her experiences, and instead shares the ups and downs (even when they’re hard to talk about). She’s able to infuse humor into her mental health struggles, which includes: anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, panic attacks, and disassociation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by Netgalley! Thanks!
I really enjoyed this comic! It was relatable of the depths of anxiety/depression while also having such a fun/funny side to it. The art style adds to this as the large headed goofy figures go through the trials and tribulations of life.
Some of the portions were so relatable:
- the panic attack rollercoaster and its inevitable loop
- the awful panic of trying on a turtleneck in a store and feeling stuck, and accepting your death
- the inevitability of anxious girls becoming "woo fun" alcohol dependent party girls
Overall I could both see myself, and see concrete examples of other's experiences.
The only complaint I have is: pineapple and mushroom on pizza is her favourite?? No way.
I really enjoyed this comic! It was relatable of the depths of anxiety/depression while also having such a fun/funny side to it. The art style adds to this as the large headed goofy figures go through the trials and tribulations of life.
Some of the portions were so relatable:
- the panic attack rollercoaster and its inevitable loop
- the awful panic of trying on a turtleneck in a store and feeling stuck, and accepting your death
- the inevitability of anxious girls becoming "woo fun" alcohol dependent party girls
Overall I could both see myself, and see concrete examples of other's experiences.
The only complaint I have is: pineapple and mushroom on pizza is her favourite?? No way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Definitely a must read for fans of Allie Brosh and Jenny Lawson.
This book is told in two parallel channels, with Gemma's historical struggles with anxiety being interspersed with recent events where she had to deal with a life-change during the pandemic.
While I do not deal with anxiety as a medical condition, there was so much offered in this book that I was able to personally connect to at the "lego piece level", and so reading this book was very theapeutic for me (and whatever undiagnosed condition I do have).
This book is told in two parallel channels, with Gemma's historical struggles with anxiety being interspersed with recent events where she had to deal with a life-change during the pandemic.
While I do not deal with anxiety as a medical condition, there was so much offered in this book that I was able to personally connect to at the "lego piece level", and so reading this book was very theapeutic for me (and whatever undiagnosed condition I do have).
December 1, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was the authors memoir, she drew the pictures in the graphic novel herself.
I found this book to be sad, not because it was bad but because it was like reading a book about myself. I felt seen and not alone after reading this.
However, why it wasn't a 5 star was because of the thought/speech bubbles.. sometimes there was so much going on, I got confused as to where to start and where it ended.
Otherwise, I thought this was very informative and realistic to the understanding of what living with anxiety is truly like.
I would recommend for those who have anxiety too, or for those who want to have a better understanding of what people who do have anxiety live with on a daily basis.
This was the authors memoir, she drew the pictures in the graphic novel herself.
I found this book to be sad, not because it was bad but because it was like reading a book about myself. I felt seen and not alone after reading this.
However, why it wasn't a 5 star was because of the thought/speech bubbles.. sometimes there was so much going on, I got confused as to where to start and where it ended.
Otherwise, I thought this was very informative and realistic to the understanding of what living with anxiety is truly like.
I would recommend for those who have anxiety too, or for those who want to have a better understanding of what people who do have anxiety live with on a daily basis.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely LOVED this graphic novel/comic memoir about the author's debilitating experience with anxiety, panic attacks, depression and therapy!! Highly recommended for fans of authors like Allie Brosh, this book is raw, honest and real look at her lifelong anxiety, her relapses, poor coping techniques (alcohol, denial, avoidance, etc) and ultimately the brave steps she took to seek medical help through cognitive behavior therapy, out patient hospitalization and medication. 10/10 recommend for anyone struggling with anxiety and panic attacks or just overall mental health. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 6, 2026
5+ Cried a lot reading this graphic novel. Took my time it's a life's journey with honesty, sharing even the thoughts, and not only made me feel less alone, but it was also like the author was illustrating my own thoughts, my experience.
Easy to read for the format and simplicity of design. That only makes the theme of this journey stronger and emotional.
It help me. It still does. It will continue to help when I need to be seen.
Thank you author for the bravery in sharing so much with strangers, those who will understand each moment are right there with you.
Thank you publishers for giving voice and distribution to this author/Illustrator.
Easy to read for the format and simplicity of design. That only makes the theme of this journey stronger and emotional.
It help me. It still does. It will continue to help when I need to be seen.
Thank you author for the bravery in sharing so much with strangers, those who will understand each moment are right there with you.
Thank you publishers for giving voice and distribution to this author/Illustrator.
May 7, 2026
Listening to this book made me anxious. It was genuinely distressing to hear how the author struggled with agoraphobia and depression. A few hours in, I started experiencing compassion fatigue, and it made me wonder how friends and family members cope with loved ones experiencing serious long term mental illness. One thing the book didn’t address that I was very curious about: the author moved from the UK to the US, and nothing was said about the vast differences in the availability and cost of treatment on this side of the Atlantic.
In short: do not be fooled by the cute cover art. There’s nothing cute about the author’s story.
April 20, 2026
It’s been a long time since I have read a book in one sitting, but I did tonight with this one! It’s a graphic memoir, which I have never read before. I’m glad I didn’t let that scare me away! I have also never marked a book before, but I have so many sticky notes in it now so I can reread my favorite parts.
There really is power in reading about other people’s experiences with mental health. It makes you more understanding and also not feel so alone when you feel the same way.
I genuinely can’t recommend this book enough.
There really is power in reading about other people’s experiences with mental health. It makes you more understanding and also not feel so alone when you feel the same way.
I genuinely can’t recommend this book enough.
May 2, 2026
Heart-warming autobiographical account of what it's like to live with generalised anxiety, depression, panic disorder and agoraphobia. Finished it in one sitting. What I like the most about this is that it's not a self-help book telling you what works, but a very realistic account of the ups and downs of the journey in learning to live with your mental health struggles. I'm sure a lot of people would resonate with the story, and it will make them feel very seen and heard. It's also beautifully illustrated with easy to read graphics and vocabulary. Definitely recommend. 🩷
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