Thin Slices of Anxiety: Observations and Advice to Ease a Worried Mind

by Catherine Lepage

Not to worry, a book on anxiety is finally here! A clever antidote to everyday angst, this illustrated book captures universal truths and comforting revelations about being human. Artist Catherine Lepage uses her wry humor to help us see that "thinly sliced and illustrated, emotions are much easier to digest."

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Mental Health, Psychology, Comics, Self Help, Mental Illness

104 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2014

Reviews

[Cindy Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not anything deep or substantial. Simple illustrations and casual language for a coffee table book.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and all, but absurdly short. I started reading it at the breakfast table this morning, and finished the book before I'd finished eating.

It doesn't seem to have been written so much as designed. One page illustrations sit side by side with pages of text. The illustrations are often clever, and the text often brief. I've known a few people in my life who suffer from anxiety, but, while I appreciated the glimpse into the mindset, I don't feel that any deeply insightful understanding was achieved. It's a very shallow look at a very deep subject, less a book and more of an Internet meme. It's fun, but light and short. The $14.95 cover price seems ridiculously high for the reading experience you get.

I don't mean to sound too savage about it. It's well-intentioned, and some bits--the Space Invaders-inspired image in particular--did make me smile. This is a book that might make a decent present for someone, but, if you buy it for yourself, you may feel cheated. I can't really recommend it, but, if it sounds interesting to you, by all means, check it out.

[Yuliya Yurchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Це така графічна медитація про тривожність. Що це означає? Як проявляється і які має причини? А також графічні поради, як з цим боротися. Це насправді медитація, тобто не чекайте розлогих текстів, там їх нема, але є малюнки і короткі фрази, якраз те, що треба "тривожним" людям, коли треба просто вдих і видих. Я задоволена, що її маю. Було б приємніше в папері, але наразі розжилася лише на кіндл-копію.

[trestitia ⵊⵊⵊ deamorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally I read it.

I really love brainpickings --is an amazing website, n where I came across this book (in 2016 oh my god).



It's more like a diary, collection of personal drafts with very little illustrations and words than graphic novel or etc (pls don't). Like a reminder, well-known secrets, similar but not same situations.

Funny thing is some people write almost exactly what Lepage wrote n put them one under the other n call them (minimal) poem, readers and critics praise them as how it's motivating and brave. I'm not judging what they feel but with their art(lessness). I prefer something like this-is simply art, 'not so serious' typography and drawing technique however still art in it. Illustrations tell you what words cannot tell, picturizing what is it like.

It's too short, so 'thin slices' makes more sense now. I love having such (personal) collections likewise art prints, I hope one day I can have this.

[Emilia P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art! Anxiety! Anxiety! Art!

I think there should be a special place in purgatory for visual books that are just individual pages with pretty decent single illustrations and big-font easyish to read text and assuaging-y feelings stuff.
It's a genre. I'm not sure it belongs with graphic novels. :/

That's ok. I should learn my lesson and set them aside.

[Hitesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As my friend says — "this lets us know, we're not alone." !!!

[Sakina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ | Bon, mais manque terriblement de jus et de contenu. Le sujet aurait pu être creusé davantage. Beaucoup trop bref.

[Laura Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy cortito, creo que es una frase cada 2 páginas pero a mi me encanto.

Es un resumen en 2 minutos de cómo se siente una persona con ansiedad, pero para mi que amo los libros bonitos con ilustraciones es un 5.

Lo recomiendo 💛

[Rehan Abd Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love it

[fer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esse livro estava na minha wishlist faz anos. Assinei o scribd e consegui ler o ebook. Achei meio whatever. Acho a capa linda mas nao me trouxe nada de novo. Fiquei feliz de nao ter gastado comprando o livro fisico.

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, yet lets us know we're not alone.

[Meg]

I feel better reading someone else's similar struggles with over commitement and stress. Now if I could only do better at not trying to do too much ....

[Aude · Rating 3 out of 5]

J’ai renouer avec les mots de Catherine Lepage en lisant son livre Fines tranches d’angoisse. (Rappelons-nous à quel point j’ai aimé Bouées & Journal d’une dépression)

Le visuel est impressionnant. Les illustrations et les collages se marient bien aux mots de l’autrice. Un tout parfaitement agencé qui aborde l’angoisse de façon simple.

J’aurais juste aimé que ce soit un peu plus long. Il manquait un petit quelque chose.

Tout de même, c’est une belle découverte.

J’ai déjà hâte de relire cette autrice. ✨

[Katrin Krause · Rating 1 out of 5]

Firstly it caught me, (when I saw single selected pictures) secondly it disappointed me. (After I had bought it)

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took two minutes to read but the book shared vivid emotion through art.

[Kim Tyo-Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my Upper School Library, but will be buying a copy for home as well.

For anyone who lives with anxiety and dysthymia, the restlessness and risks that come with overactive minds, this lovely meditation on what anxiety feels like, what anxiety triggers many of us share, what ways to cope and hope, in words and art, allows us to communicate with ourselves and our loved ones about this way of being in the world. Highly recommended and lovely to share with families who want to build empathy and share insights into healing habits of mind and body.

I discovered this book through Brainpickings https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/06..., and I can't recommend Maria Popova's cultural curation enough. Every day there is a new gift from her site, and her review of Catherine Lepage's book is no exception:

"Laced with the meta-stressors familiar to anyone afflicted with anxiety — shame for being gripped by anxiety in the first place, self-blame for putting oneself in situations known to trigger it, exasperation upon realizing that its predictable trajectory of anguish is underway yet being unable to stop it — the book radiates a wistful yet warm assurance that these overwhelming emotional states, as all-consuming and singular as they seem, mark our membership in a larger fellowship of tribulation in which we are never as alone as we may feel."

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[Julie lit pour les autres · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

Si le texte de Lepage m'a un peu laissé sur ma faim, ses illustrations (souvent en technique mixte) sont merveilleuses. C'est leur simplicité qui les rend si touchantes. (Ceci dit, j'ai médité longuement sur la matrice de décisions sans queue ni tête - graphisme pur et coup de poing assuré.) À lire et à partager sans modération, ne serait-ce que pour offrir un support sur lequel s'appuyer pour parler de ces fines tranches d'angoisse qui finissent, pour plusieurs, par devenir indigestes et sur lesquelles on finit par s'étouffer.

[Mélina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quand j’ai ouvert Fines Tranches d’Angoisse, j’étais un peu dans une humeur grise et mon envie d’ouvrir un livre était à -1000. Je suis allée errer dans la section « Bande dessinée – Roman illustré » de ma bibliothèque et ce petit livre m’a immédiatement fait de l’œil.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cette petite plaquette est tombée à point. Je me suis reconnue et retrouvée dans le texte et les images m’ont fait sourire. Lire Fines Tranches d’Angoisse a été un baume au cœur. C’est un magnifique petit roman illustré à découvrir!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully composed and designed. I wanted more, as the ending felt a bit abrupt.

[Morgane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - J’ai bien aimé, mais le contenu aurait mieux convenu à un zine ou une animation! Soyez averti.e.s : c’est vraiment très très court.

[Louise Tessier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bande dessinée 4,5* (très court mais très bon)

[Disha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that finally there is a book that breaks down the unhealthy behaviours that aggravate anxiety. It is a simple book that is helping people understand anxiety and the havoc that it can cause in anyone's life. No, it is not magically going to help you deal with anxiety or let you in about that magical trick. But at least you will be a lot more aware. And that is the first step towards not letting anxiety get the better of you.

[Claire Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply says everything I have ever wanted to say about living with a long term mental health condition.

[Alexe (mtlbibliophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Les illustrations sont magnifiques!!! L'histoire traite d'un sujet très présent dans notre société, l'angoisse/l'anxiété. J'ai beaucoup aimé la façon dont cette maladie est expliquée, et la façon dont quelqu'un qui en souffre n'y voit aucune issue. Le hic, selon moi, est que cette BD se termine sur une note décevante. À mon avis, l'auteur aurait dû y ajouter un tout autre chapitre portant sur les méthodes de guérison, ou au moins mettre une bibliographie indiquant des sites Internet où il est possible d'aller chercher de l'aide. C'est comme si ce livre n'était qu'une première phase dans un projet fort plus exponentiel.

[Jonathan Tennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend with anxiety recommended the book to me. If you know anyone who suffers from anxiety and you would like to better understand what it's like to suffer silently with something that no one else can see than this book is for you. Interesting way to quickly gain a better understanding of what it's like. I would give this more stars if I could.

[Manu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine has done such a good job with this one! This should be a text book case study for how an illustrated book should be. I love the creativity - right from having no table of contents, minimalist author description, etc.

Coming to the content, I could relate to every single point she made. It helped me see my own madness more kindly.

I'm grateful for her hard work.

[Teresa Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This journal style book and sketches about anxiety were good for me to read from my son, who also suffers from anxiety like I do. Though the feelings and sketches were personal to the author, they helped open up some conversations between us that we might not have otherwise had. Would recommend (not highly) to anyone with anxiety for a quick, easy read.

[Miklos Noemi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a visually striking one that offers a peek into the anxious mind. However, the writing is pretty basic, offering little to no relevant information. It's good for a lighter read, but don't expect very complex ideas in it.

[Stephanie Prnvst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petite illustration rigolote et réaliste de cette méchante angoisse. Un livre qu'on prend plaisir à feuilleter et à offrir aussi!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Cute and honest and true, but extremely short and not all that substantive. I feel like it would be a better infographic than book.