Float

by Howie Noel

Float is an autobiography and it’s also a tragic love story about anxiety.

In the author's own words: Like 40 million others, I suffer from anxiety. This book details its effects on my life, my loves and my career. It’s the most personal story I’ve ever told but I hope that many of you will be able to relate to it. I’m hoping it helps you because making it has helped me. It has given me a brand new perspective on my illness.

It’s not a subject of shame. It’s a symbol of strength. We don’t have to let anxiety drown us. We can float.

Float is told from the perspective of three characters which act as symbolic stand ins for my personality. Their tales all converge with a confrontation of the glass ceiling overhead.

In its discussion of anxiety, this graphic memoir also reinterprets the glass ceiling. While the term is generally associated with women and minorities in their careers, it easily applies to those who deal with mental illness in their profession, and the stigma it carries. In the book, I have illustrated the ceiling as a physical threat.

Genres: Comics

100 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2017

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very powerful book. At times, it was difficult to read. I could relate a little too much. It follows the author as he works through dealing with his anxiety. Everything is not always as it seems. I would highly recommend this book, especially for people who deal with anxiety or know someone who does. Anxiety is more prevalent than people realize. Float is still available at yourglassceiling.com.

[bodhisam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have anxiety or depression, or know someone who does, you MUST read this book. It really truly shows what it's like to have a mental illness. How it's with you all the time and no matter how hard you work, the minute you let your guard down, it can creep back in and pull you back down. I especially was amazed at how anxiety is depicted as a super seductive guy in this book. I never thought about it that way but I guess it's true, right? The thoughts mental illness sends to your head sound so good to you that you can't say no. It's so deceptive and seductive and I think that it was so brave for the author to have put himself out there and show the realities in such an honest way. This book can be very helpful for anyone to better understand what people with anxiety or depression are going through.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Directly deals with anxiety throughout, personified as an evil, militaristic dictator. Also depicts therapy, though a bit strangely. The therapist seems malevolent at times but it's not clear why even by the end of the book. Not all the metaphors work on their own, and become a mishmash when together. However, does have some good imagery and insights into how chronic anxiety can influence your perceptions and limit options.

[Luiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a very hard subject to be drawn, in a way that can fully represents all the emotions and feelings that come together with anxiety. The author did an amazing job on this book!!

The story per se is not very long, so I won’t give a 5 start rating. But the pages it has are powerful and beautifully drawn.

[Daniel Stalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really beautiful. It manages to tell a vulnerable and relatable story with some stunning abstract visuals and very few words.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little too real. Especially near the end. There is so much truth in this that I ended up crying. I’m glad to have met the author.