The Sane One: A Memoir by the Co-creator of Pen15

by Anna Konkle

In this emotional and laugh-out-loud coming-of-age memoir, the co-creator of Hulu's brilliant Pen15 grapples with the reappearance of her estranged father —and whether it's possible to reconnect before it’s too late.

For Anna Konkle’s childhood, her father was her hero—a hyper-charismatic, larger-than-life human resource manager at 7-Eleven. But their closeness was constantly interrupted by the screaming matches and heavy silences between him and her mother, eventually culminating in a bitter divorce that literally split the family house down the middle, with one parent on each side.

College felt like freedom, and Anna filled her time searching for the husband she'd never divorce and the orgasm she'd never had, while waiting tables at fancy restaurants and getting lackluster acting gigs, the strangest of which had her working celebrity Halloween parties. But just as she begins to thrive, her father starts to struggle. Not long after she moves to LA to pursue acting and writing, her dad’s increasingly erratic behavior forces her to cut off contact with him, until, years later, he knocks at her door.

Written in intimately beautiful prose, The Sane One is a tragicomic memoir of growing up, falling apart, getting older, and trying to come back together while there’s still time.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Humor, Adult

368 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Taylor Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR; laugh, laugh, laugh, cry, cry, cry.

If you’ve ever watched Pen15 and thought, “there’s simply no way this level of awkwardness isn’t pulled straight from real life,” The Sane One more or less confirms it. Anna Konkle writes like she’s sitting across from you, elbows on the table, a bottle of wine deep, sharing things that you actually couldn’t pull out of me with the jaws of life themselves.

The memoir unfolds, more or less, in 3 clean beats: Childhood (elementary, middle, and high school,) College (where shortly thereafter she meets Maya Erskine,) and adulthood—which carries us through her adult life, meeting her now-husband, co-creating Pen15, and caring for her father at the end of his life.

The momentum of Anna’s life is quiet, slowly shifting with most of the emotional wreckage coming in the final acts. But her voice is what hooked me; she writes in a way that is conversational, sloppy, and honest. Maybe not for everyone, but for me, as a fellow child of divorce and former painfully awkward kid it felt cathartic. I was transported back to 2021, sitting on my friend Mary’s parents’ kitchen floor, swapping middle/high school traumas while her mom’s bitch cat, Kitty, takes cheap shots at my feet. That same raw, unfiltered energy lives in the Sane One. Anna Konkle sees me and I see her right back.

Early reviews are still sparse, but the few on Goodreads seem to share similar hang-ups: the juvenile tone in the first third and Konkle’s bluntness/harshness re: who her father was prior to his illness. Neither of those things bothered me. Her voice evolves alongside her aging in the book, which feels intentional. As for her parents, it feels shitty to judge Anna for sharing her truth (I’m very much of the mind that if you don’t want people to know you did something shitty, then you shouldn’t do things that are shitty). At 300-something pages, there is simply no way for the reader to know the full scope of their dynamic. So, instead of judging, I find myself between the pages, spotting similarities between my relationship with my own parents. And in a weird, possibly para-social way, I’m proud of Anna for her vulnerability.

So, this is a 5/5 for me. Honest, vulnerable, and disarmingly funny in a way that is so hyper-specific as to make weirdos like me feel not so alone.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Anna Konkle for the arc.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have seen a few episodes of Pen15 and loved the absurdity of the show. Grown women reliving their millenial middle school experience surrounded by actual teenagers. I started middle school in 2006 so I was able to appreciate the jokes and awkwardness of that era. The co-creator Anna Konkle penned this memoir and it was a mess. It was an absolute splattershot of writing with no form or organization of thoughts. There was no chronological timeline and she shared the most cringey anecdotes. Perhaps if she tidied up her thoughts and portrayed it more like nonfiction than its attempt at a narrative, it would be more coherent. It felt like I opened her diary in the worst way possible. The only part I liked was the introduction of her co-creator Maya, but that wasn't until 60% into the book. I had such high expectations for this book because I thought she would talk more about the show instead of her strained relationship with her father and awkward puberty. I'm sorry to be so harsh on a review, but this was not a pleasant reading experience. Kudos for being vulnerable and brave enough to publish your deepest secrets, but maybe next time keep that pen capped.

[emi danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
oh anna i am sobbing😭 this is incredibly well-written. Anna is so hilarious, yet serious and articulate. every story felt like a new episode of pen15.
the way she describes navigating her childhood, into her 30s just feels like my internal monologue- at 24. accompanying this book with her audiobook… 10/10.
i unfortunately relate to her family’s dynamics, pretty much to a T. especially her relationship with her dad.
it was hard for me to continue to find the good in my father as i matured, and understood/saw things differently, and as he was struggling and changing himself in his final years. i actually almost DNF’d after chapter sixteen. it hit too close to home, i was nauseous and crying, but i think i needed to read it. (#TraumaDumpOver #Sorry)
it actually brought me much closure to read Anna’s story— about her and her father communicating as adults. the emotional maturity and bravery it took for her to write her dad that letter made me bawl my eyes out.
this book is fantastic, and as a huge fan of pen15 i am glad to have read this and learned more about Anna’s life.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

laugh so much cry so much relate SO much wow so amazing

[Nora B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man. Upon finishing the last chapter, it feels heavy in my chest but I can feel it so deeply, a feeling I know I am grateful to not have experienced yet, but one I know will happen twice.

Anna Konkle’s memoir captured the complexities of human relationships in such a grounded way. Pulling out feelings I haven’t had and making me have to put on sunglasses to hide me crying in a public.

[Kate Struthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of PEN15, I had a feeling I was going to love this memoir. The show is one of those rare comedies that perfectly balances humor with genuine emotional depth, capturing the intensity and awkwardness of adolescence without romanticizing it.

This memoir carries that same balance. It’s funny, but also deeply heartfelt in a way that many comedies miss when they lean too far into silliness. I expected to laugh, but I didn’t expect to cry. While I loved reading about her childhood, what stayed with me most was seeing her growth and self-reflection as she moved through adulthood and her relationship with her dad. Loved everything about this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly subjective but so much of Anna's life deeply resonated with my own. Its frankly very odd to know that someone else in the world has shared such specific experiences and thoughts. Funny and also painfully raw at points, I bawled my eyes out through the last 25 pages. This will be on my mind for awhile

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is absolutely incredible. One moment I was laughing out loud, and the next I was crying tears of sadness. It’s written with such honesty and vulnerability, and once I picked it up, it was really hard to put down. I’m definitely going to have to rewatch Pen15 immediately!

[Katherine Bentsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend listening to audiobook version. The writing style is clunky and difficult to read, but really effective as an audiobook, especially as read by Anna.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly went into this memoir just knowing I love her comedy but not having seen any press for the book or what to expect from it, and it was so simultaneously hilarious, beautifully written, and heartbreaking and warming at the same time. Cried way more than I expected to and loved it all the more for that.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of Anna but this memoir helped me get to know her even more. She is even more relatable than ever now that I got a glimpse into her childhood, her relationship with her father, and her overall family dynamics. This book is a rollercoaster of ups and downs with her family life but there are so many funny moments mixed in that it really kept the momentum going as I read - nothing too heavy. This book was really well written and now I’m even more of a fan than ever before. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best book I’ve read in 2026 so far. I love Anna Konkle and pen15 already, but reading this made me love her so much more. Her relationship with her parents was complicated, but as she grew older, she learned boundaries and skills to rebuild her relationship with her father. She faced him head on, asked hard questions, and got clarity that helped her repair their relationship.

It really gave me a lot of perspective about what it means to love people despite their flaws and still protect your mental health. What it means to put yourself first and honor your well-being. I feel like I need to unpack this in a therapy session or something lol

I cried the whole last part of the book so be prepared for that. I know Anna Konkle is a hehe haha kinda girl but this truly is heartbreaking. No notes.

[Hannah Cassel · Rating 5 out of 5]

the audiobook experience was so special, enjoyed hearing anna’s complicated reverence for her parents coming through via her impressions of them. great memoir!

[Jenna Bonaiuto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare actual laugh/cry situation and much deeper than I expected give the Pen15 of it all

[Dana]

😭😭😭

[Katherine Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pen15 is one of my favorite shows so it makes sense that this memoir was also incredible! A bit slow to get into, but her honesty and depth in reflecting on her difficult relationship with her parents was very raw and thought provoking. I expected to laugh but ended up in tears by the end. She is gifted in writing about complex people while still showing the reader the humanness in the flaws of each person.

[hayley ⋆·˚ ༘ * · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read! i love pen15, but this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. the narrative is a little all over the place, and at times i struggled with her writing style. lots of scattered stories from her youth cementing her as awkward but without the same laughs that pen15 provides.

[Bethany Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was raw and honest and a lot heavier than I'd expected. Makes me really appreciate the creative decisions made in creating PEN15.

[Kate]

The last few chapters were genuinely heart wrenching and had me crying in the club

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I heard that Anna Konkle was coming out with a memoir, I knew I was going to read it. For those who might not know (although I’d imagine if you’re reading this you’re aware) Anna is the co creator of the show PEN15. In the show she plays a middle schooler with her real life friend, Maya Erskine. They’re adults playing children with other children. It’s hilarious and bizarre at times. I absolutely loved it. If you haven’t watched it, I’d highly recommend it.

Anyway, the memoir, much like the show, had me laughing, crying, and cringing. It’s raw and honest and at times almost too real. For those that enjoyed the show and want to know about one of it’s co creators, I think this memoir would maybe satisfy that need for more PEN15. (I’m sure it’s not obvious how much I loved the show).

Konkle takes us through her childhood where we see some experiences that were woven into the show. We’re taken along for the ride during her teen years and college. Beyond getting a new perspective as to the true life that inspired the fictionalized version, I loved getting a peek beneath the curtain and seeing the real human being underneath. As I mentioned before, sometimes this story was funny, other times it got weird (which I love). Some parts will pull at your heartstrings and were almost too much. I can’t fathom being that vulnerable with so many people.

I would absolutely recommend this memoir to anyone, especially those with parents who divorced and obviously those that loved the show. Thank you to Random House, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an ARC for review.

[Chelsea Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up in the late 90's early 2000s, and you haven't watched PEN15, stop right now and go watch it! Being a millennial, that show was the most accurate depiction of what life was like back then. Also, the importance of a best friend during the weirdest time of your life/body.

The Sane One gives even more of Anna's story as a child and young teen. I loved how goofy she was and I could relate so much. There's even one part where she questions why she always sounds like a 35 year old even though she's a teenager. I was constantly making friends with the parents.

The book shares her tough relationship with both parents but specifically her dad after the divorce. We see some of this on PEN15 but I'm sure children of divorced parents will relate to her struggles between the two. It also dives into a disturbing allegation of abuse on behalf of her father.

It is heartbreakingly sad and funny. In the end, the book is a beautiful tribute to her father.

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Konkle, and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read The Sane One. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

not an experienced readers of memoirs but i greatly enjoyed this book, it starts with anna in childhood and ends in her early 30s. shaped mostly around understanding her father and their complicated relationship.

the middle got a bit muddy (her college years) and wrapped up with my ugly sobbing for the last few chapters

some random things to note — her sentence structures are choppy at times, and sometimes read like a script — obviously a strength of hers, and can be translated with difficulty in a memoir. however, certainly able to hear how she would say it out loud! the type of imagery / metaphors she used rarely felt forced (compared to my limited knowledge of other memoirs) , which i feel like can be hard to do

i could certainly sense her despair in questioning her dad. and i related greatly to some moments in her adolescence that were portrayed especially well— a huge strength of hers obviously because i love her show

anyways i thought it was worth reading but i was gonna give it a three star until the end so maybe im just emo about her dead dad and bumping it up one star? who knows

[Lauren Brumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to make me laugh but what I did not expect is that it was going to make me ugly cry.

The first half of the book is a little hard to get through, because a lot of filler words and stammering are left in the dialogue. I assume it is a stylistic choice, but it makes it really hard to read.

I’m really glad I powered through that, though, because the second half of the book was really good. It deals with some heavy and confusing subject matter, but Anna writes about living through her father’s death after years of a very complicated relationship so vulnerably that it was refreshing. And devastating.

I also love PEN15, so I enjoyed learning more about her friendship and working partnership with Maya Erskine as well.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Emily Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read a memoir, I often feel like the author adds a lot of presumptuous details, like it’s kind of nuts that anyone would be interested in so many small parts of a life that has nothing to do with them. But the few times I started feeling that with The Sane One, I was immediately transported to my own life. Despite having very little in common with her, her experiences and humanity connected me to myself. She’s a fantastic storyteller and her humor comes through every detail, especially in the audiobook. Lots of emotion and tears at the end, which I was not expecting. Really well done, I loved it.

[Ruthie Zolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow-I just sobbed at 5AM on the plane to the end of this beautiful memoir. Anna Konkle is not just the comic masterpiece behind PEN15. She is also a brilliant writer, who weaves humor and discomfort together in a way that makes me laugh and cry all on the same page. Anna is special in my heart, I watched her show tucked in between my two junior year roommates in my big mega bed - she is emblematic of all the things we loathe about ourselves at 13, and all the things we grow up trying to correct for our lil selves along the way too. Her relationship with her dad is the complicated ethos of the memoir, and wow, what a ride it was.

[Brianna Riede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her so much- this was perfect, especially on audio. She captures the innermost thoughts of a kid going through their parents’ divorce with such precision that I found myself audibly laughing, tearing up, and remembering a lot of forgotten feelings and memories! The way she writes about all the awkwardness, grief, guilt, and every emotion in between that you experience as a kid with divorces parents, and how those feelings evolve as you get older, was uncanny and so real.

TW for people who have lost parents- the ending was beautiful but very descriptive and I can imagine triggering.

[Lauren Navaira · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up bc I love anna konkle
Her writing is definitely geared towards scripts which made dialogue a bit hard to understand unless you heard it from Anna herself the audio book and reading along was the way to go for the first half
but then as we delve further into her life her story and relationship with her father grew in such complex ways that Anna beautifully articulated and I didnt feel the need to have the audio book going
It is a wonderful book

[Melody Kernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw Anna Konkle had a memoir coming out, I knew immediately that I'd pick it up as soon as it came out. I was fortunate to listen to her read it via audiobook. Without looking into the book beforehand, I assumed it would be about the creation of the show (I was v wrong!!). This was really heavy and I cried at multiple points. So well done and the way she is able to capture her feelings and experiences into words is extraordinary.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very honest and beautiful memoir about being a daughter of divorce. I found it incredibly moving and it helped me process my own grief with watching my mother die as well as reflect on my relationship with my father. Anna writes well and is such a sweet and silly person- it was an honor to spend this time with her and learn about her family.

[izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved and would recommend listening to this one! Honest, funny, and relatable despite our family dynamics being entirely different. I miss Pen15!!!!

Memoirs are so impressive because genuinely how do people remember every detail of their lives so well???? My brain can barely remember what I did last weekend sometimes, let alone my entire childhood vividly