Barking

by Lucy Sullivan

Lemire Alix Otto is having a very bad day. Easily her worst so far. A year since they fished her friend's body from the river, she finds herself hounded, haunted and driven to the brink. Caught in a situation she can't explain, Alix is handed over to the professionals and sectioned, left alone in a labyrinthine system with her delusions running wild... Barking is a tale of grief, madness and the ghosts that haunt us.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Mental Health, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Psychology

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 17, 2020

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really respect what Lucy was trying to do and I completely agree with her views of mental health services - I also thought the artwork was gorgeous and really unique. Unfortunately the messiness used to reflect the protagonist's mental state made it pretty hard to follow or get immersed in the story. But still definitely something to be proud of.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest: this was too hard to read. I know it's meant to mirror the author's feelings. I applaud Lucy Sullivan on nailing the confusing, exhausting, spiral of mental illness and depression. The imagery and storytelling were gorgeous and perfectly encapsulate the feelings conveyed by the protagonist. But I was left so confused as to what was happening.

In writing this review, I think I'm gaining a form of understanding over the purpose of the book. Sullivan does a remarkable job of leaving you feeling lost and worried and frustrated—mirroring the protagonist again. But I feel like there's a way to convey that AND tell an accessible story that I can parse out? Idk. Likely, Sullivan intended for me to feel this way upon reading. Maybe it's meant as a discussion point. I can see how that would work. If so, VERY well done. But if it was meant to be more understandable. If the pictures were meant to convey more than a distorted Rorschach test of a mental health facility—then I missed it.

I couldn't get lost in the story, because in the real world, I was too lost following the word-bubbles on the page. I struggled to understand what certain images meant to convey. I had to look over the first few pages several times before I understood that the protagonist was atop a bridge or tall structure of some kind? Which proves my point. The way Sullivan drew and shifted the story was perfect. But if I can't follow what's happening; if I can't figure out that the character jumped from... something? And then police took her and now she's in a mental health facility—then the point is lost.

I'm bumping it up to 3 stars though, because half of what I've tried to type here... when I read it back, I realize that it solves some of my questions. I couldn't tell the nurses and orderlies apart or what was real—all of this is probably purposeful. A patient will feel similar things as they're confined and forced to take medications in an unfamiliar, hostile environment. So, overall, a mixture of confusing and well-done, but maybe a bit too inaccessible.

Disclaimer: I suffer from depression too, so it's not that I cannot understand the feelings of the protag. I struggled to follow what was going on events-wise.

[Rebecca Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything quite like this, its depiction of depression in text and graphical storytelling made such an impact on me that it stayed with me for a long time - it's a truly powerful piece of work. Not a light breezy read, but an essential one, especially for those of us who think we understand but just don't. Ground-breaking and very much recommended. (I've not said a lot about the art, but it's evocative, personal and perfect for the story and mood).

[scriptedknight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 stars
~
Mental illness can and is quite different for each person; though much of this book didn't resonate with my own experience, the act of the chase - being chased, chasing something - was a personal piece that struck a cord. I hope one day we all find the ability to muzzle the beast.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, good message, and the messy, experimental art style was cool, but it made it incredibly hard to follow. I didn't know what was going on the majority of the time

[amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The artwork was unique, and it was certainly effective in depicting the mental state of Alix as she dealt with her anger and fear and all of the other messy emotions she was feeling. However, it may have been too effective at some points, as that same messy artwork could make it a bit hard to track the plot.
Overall, though, I did enjoy Barking, and appreciated the way it depicted mental health, acute trauma, and mental health services. I've only been in a psych ward once, and only to visit a friend, but even that visit stressed me out an incredible deal and I know it would never have been a place I could safely or effectively deal with my own mental health crisis. My friend had expressed how bad she found the ward to be, and the struggles of the others that were held there as well, and I saw those struggles reflected in this book, too. I could also relate to the scattered and messy way Alix felt as she struggled with her thoughts and trauma, as my own feelings could feel this same way.
Impressive work and well done considering the complicated nature of the plot, and only really hindered at times by the chaotic nature of the illustrations.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this graphic novel, a young woman named Alix is admitted to a psych ward. Her fears take the form of a wolf that sometimes drags her down into her memories and other times takes over her body to act out. Over the course of a week or so, Alix begins to confront the death of her mother and how it has affected her.

The story is more shown than told through anything specific, as the artwork creates the brain static and overwhelm and anger that Alix is feeling throughout. It's almost difficult to figure out what's going on beyond her intrusive thoughts of worthlessness and fear. The artwork is quite effective, and this is a small glimpse into an acute mental breakdown that the reader can really feel.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gorgeous cover and the theme of the graphic novel drew my attention. Sadly, parts of the book were really hard to read because of the messiness that was used to reflect the main character's mental state. No matter what kind of style you have or want to use, I think it's important to make sure it doesn't hinder the reading experience.

[King]

Evocative and terrifying. A use of the form I haven't seen before

[Natasha Alterici · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kinetic experience, illogical, frightening, confusing and thus, perfect.

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The visuals were crazy nice but honestly was mostly confused 😕 The grief personified was something I haven't experienced but grief in general could not be felt this just missed the mark for me

[Danielle Knights · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever suffered from a lapse in your mental health, or still do, you will recognise yourself in this graphic novel. One might say it isn't beautiful, because its horrifying to look at, its visuals are visceral and cutting and very close to what the troubled mind may look like as an external representation... but it is, it IS beautiful. Read this and then recommend it to your friends and family who haven't lived through it because they will gain a deeper understanding of what being truly lost in the mind looks like.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comic books or, if you want to be all "grown-up" about it, graphic novels, can be a powerful story-telling medium. In the right hands, of course. And with Lucy Sullivan's Barking you are certainly in the right hands.

A dark, intense, moving tale of mental illness and grief this books demands that you pay attention. Dramatic black and white artwork reminiscent of both Bill Sienkiewicz and Eddie Campbell combine with chaotic, jumbled lettering to tell the tale of Alix, who is sectioned after the death of her friend (lover?). And so we get a glimpse into the British mental health care system from the point of view of a patient.

Drawn from the author's own experiences and those of her friends, Barking is a living nightmare in ink. Alix's progress is slow as she tries to put the pieces of herself back together and make sense of the trauma and the guilt she suffers. The imagery is all swirling black shapes and there's a dream-like quality to Alix's memories of the incident, which may not have been what she thinks it was. And all the while the Black Dog harries and snarls around her, putting her down, feeding her guilt and shame. The title "Barking" works on many levels you see?

It's a book that will repay repeated readings. 10% of the author's revenue is being donated to the mental health charity MQ, so do yourself and them a favour and buy this book. Look for it at the Unbound website.

Highly recommended.

[Rafaela Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. It's a very difficult theme to talk about and in this graphic novel Lucy sullivan did it with intensity and fearless.

[Aurora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have respect for what she was trying to do, but it was so chaotic and muddled I don’t think I got anything out of it.

[Ken Mora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evocative, but unclear and unresolved

The ‘art brute’ was compelling and fit the theme, but it never relinquished itself to the clarity or insight I was hoping for.

[Tim Pieraccini · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too 'scrappy' in style for my taste, this was nevertheless clearly a heartfelt and passionate piece of work.

[Tabi Vance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my cup of tea, but it was drawn beautifully and it’s a quick read that lets you ponder.

[Joanna’s Reading Rainbow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly I was bored. A swing and a miss attempt. First graphic novel that I can remember just being a let down.

[kc slay · Rating 2 out of 5]

literally what happened in this novel i’m so lost

[Jesse Hassinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The horrors and indignities of a forced 72-hour psychiatric stay in a London hospital is authored and illustrated by Lucy Sullivan in brutal honesty in this powerful book. After a mental break due to grief from her father being found dead of a brain aneurism half-way around the world, Lucy's fictional stand-in finds herself running from a wolf/cerebus and about to jump off a highway overpass bridge when the police arrest her. What follows is a visual and literary indictment of how mental health facilities end up hurting those who are at their most vulnerable by frequently treating those in their care with distrust bordering on hatred and near universal meds that bring their "patients" to near comatose states.

Sullivan makes clear that this is just one person's experience and is not meant to speak for everyone who has gone through an episode of severe depression, grief, or other mental disturbance. However, the indictment of how mental health is treated in most places, is near-universal.

This may be a difficult read for some, but it is a powerful and gorgeous book.

[Nixu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I loved the style and how it could easily pull you into how the main character was feeling but there were times where the messiness of the style took away from the story.

I honestly loved how unclean the pages were. As someone who struggles with mental health, I found this book a very accurate representation of how it feels. There was also much weight to the art - character's movements felt real, the shadows felt like it had weight... I loved that part so much. The story itself is gripping (and a little triggering in places).

On some pages, I couldn't understand what was happening as the style took over. I think this is a case of where the author understood what was happening but didn't see it from the viewer's point of view.

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way the nurses spoke to Alix, would not go well in the US. Yes, services are bad and the system is hell and sucks. But they can’t talk to you like that. They could (eventually) lose their license. Especially about religion.

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but you could definitely have a family member or friend ask for a hospital advocate and file a complaint. You can’t shame or demean or tell them the only way is God. (If there was only ONE way, then life wouldn’t be complicated, duh).

The art is amazing altho sometimes I felt confused to what’s was going on, but maybe that was intentional? Definitely going to recommend that my library carries this.

[Juushika · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of a friend, a black dog haunts our protagonist as her mental health deteriorates. The black dog as an avatar for mental illness, companion and predator both, is a central element of my personal mythology, and Sullivan's rendering is exactly that creature, dark and half-perceived. So I love this for that. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot to the narrative beyond that conceit, and what there is is muddied by the sketchy, high-contrast art and hostile font choice: good for rendering tone, bad for, y'know, reading. There has to be a compromise for legibility; I really want to like this, but it left me more frustrated than moved.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
Random pick from the "new comics" section of my library. I'm always interested in illustrated stories that center mental health. I had no expectations, but the storytelling was a bit chaotic and hard for me to follow. The art was captivating, but the rough style sometimes made it difficult to distinguish between characters and understand what was happening. I largely know what this was all about thanks to the author's notes at the end, so that helped, but I can't say this is one I'd generally recommend to others.

[Marcus Skog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda avant guarde, really hard to follow, and probably needed to read it twice to get it. Really dynamic drawings though, which is really cool and fits the theme super well. However, I do feel like the quality is somewhat rocky. Some panels are super cool and others don't really hold the same vibe in a sense.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire book is frenetic. The illustrations are frenetic, as is the text. But it really lends to the subject matter. Very interesting.

I didn't finish it. Personally, I had a hard time getting through the messiness of the book. I get that's the point of the story, but it didn't work for me.

[Randi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has such a messy, chaotic style, it was so hard to read. I get that the style is supposed to showcase the feeling of a mental health crisis, but it didn't fully work, the black dog motif was only in some of it, and while I appreciate just how dark and honest it was, I found it really heavy and hopeless, despite the hope it tries to offer (it just moves too fast for it to land).

[Victoria Claringbold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent artwork in this graphic novel but at times the way the words were written made it difficult to follow. It definitely follows on the theme of depression being a black dog chasing you around and explores grief and hospitalization.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant portrayal of depression, grief, anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

Each page is so expressive and full of motion, pressure, fug, fear. It's hard to decipher in places but that explicitly adds to what the book is conveying.