Wired Up Wrong

by Rachael Smith

A new graphic memoir, from the award-winning author of  Quarantine Comix . Hoping to better understand her own brain, award-winning comic-creator Rachael Smith set about documenting her experiences and struggles with anxiety and depression through comic strips. The resulting book, Wired Up Wrong, is both educating and entertaining, holding a mirror up to all the flattering and unflattering aspects of mental health. Featuring Rufus the cat, Barky, a giant black dog who lives inside her head, and two tiny, imaginary game-show hosts, Comedy Women in Print-shortlisted Rachael Smith’s work is at times light-hearted, others heart-breaking, but always brave and honest.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2017

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachael Smith's brain doesn't work in the way she'd like it too - she suffers from anxiety and depression, which she depicts in her cartoons as a huge black dog called Barky, who barks negative comments to her.

I suffer from depression and anxiety myself , and it's all really recognisable. There's a series of drawings playing on the standard 'just get out of bed' non-advice that people tend to give you, and they're suprisingly moving (and true!).



The cartoons are funny, yes, but even funnier are the wry little comments she leaves under the drawings, reflecting on the cartoon itself.

Smith has also included illustrated little guides to help people, including (for example) how to avoid self harm.

Overall a lovely book, both insightful for those who are suffering and those who are not.

(Thanks to Icon Books for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection of cartoons, Rachael Smith has a real talent for portraying her anxiety and depression in a manner that is simultaneously hilarious, informative, and moving. And the portrayal of her mother during Smith's teenage #MeToo story just makes you want to stand up and cheer. Wonderful stuff.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 2020: Was looking through my comic/graphic novel collection and I saw this one, decided this would be the one to read! Glad I re-read it, I agree fully with my review when I read the book first in 2016. It was quite interesting to also see her explanation on why the dog as fluffy was worse than the dark black evil one. I should really buy the extended version of this book. As soon as I can find it. Amazon doesn't have it. *sad*

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I wasn't sure what to expect, up until now I hadn't really seen much of Rachael Smith's work, but I just knew I had to have this one. And I am happy that I bought this one. It is quite interesting to see how her brain works, and also what she uses as a visualisation for her mental health problems. At times it was quite recognisable. I also liked the art style.
I want to wish Rachael all the luck, the best, and more good things to fight her problems. Hopefully she can defeat the dogs.

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really darkly funny and truthful comic about living with anxiety and depression. Although there are some upsetting scenes as Rachael struggles with suicidal thoughts, I think this is great for anyone with mental health issues, or for anyone whose loved one is going through this. (12+)

*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I have read soooo many graphic novels written by fairly-privileged-White-women-writing-about-how-hard-it-is-to-deal-with-their-anxiety/depression/what-other-people-think-of-them, it could be its own genre. (The “you’re not special, and maybe that’s good and maybe that’s bad?” genre… ?)

A lot of the tips and jokes in here felt like things I have read before in a “Sarah Scribbles” or “Hyperbole and a Half,” but then I also find myself not wanting to be too harsh since the author is being so open and vulnerable about her mental problems to try to help others.

(The counting sheep bit was pretty funny though.)

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wired Up Wrong is a cutesy, cutesily titled memoir or more like a chronicle of living with depression. Not so much a continuous narrative as a collection of comics. Occasionally funny. Frequently all too self-helpy with a peppy You Can Do It vibe.
Frank, though frankness is all the rage these days albeit often confused with oversharing.
All in all, not original enough, daring enough or striking enough in either art or context, but decent, millennial-ready sort of thing to help depressed individuals know they are not alone.
Quick read, too.

[Francesca]

great comic for people with depression/anxiety, with a few cute panels thrown in. made me feel seen and understood ❤️ would make for very shareable content

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, funny and painfully honest, this is a book that will make you feel less alone. The author does not hold back in sharing her mental health struggles but also has a great sense of humour while being so open about her experiences and innermost thoughts. It's nice to see that the author has such a great support system.

I could relate quite a bit but also found this comics collection to be very informative and illuminating. Negative voices are depicted as two different dogs, with the fluffier one actually being more 'deadly' than the evil-looking one. The author explains that this is because of one's tendency to wallow in the more depressing thoughts, which makes so much sense.

It's nice to see that the author has such a great support system. She also recounts her experiences with sexual harassment and her mother's response. This is definitely my favourite part of the book and the reason for my 5⭐ rating.

[Niina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rehellinen kuvaus masennuksesta. En samaistunut Rachaelin kokemuksiin, koska en itse ole kärsinyt masennuksesta, mutta teoksesta saa hyvän käsityksen siitä, mille masennus voi näyttää ja tuntua. Tunnepyörä aivoissa oli hauska tapa kuvaannollistaa tilanteita, joissa oma reaktio johonkin asiaan ei noudata tavanomaista (näitä hetkiä itselläkin on joskus, esimerkiksi todella hyvä falafel ja saaristolaisleipä tai mahdottoman pieni peruna saattaa yllättäen itkettää).

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well done. Short book of comics about depression and anxiety that has hope, joy, and humor. Will absolutely resonate if depression has touched your life, either yourself or someone close. Won't take long to read and absolutely worth the time. Recommended.

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I passed this on next to my husband who has never suffered depression so he can understand mine a little better.

[Reuben Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d heard of Rachael Smith a few years ago, thanks to my brother-in-law recommending her work, and then when I finally got myself a copy of Flimsy’s Guide to Modern Living at Thought Bubble 2017, I fell in love. In fact, so did my whole family. I brought Flimsy home and foisted it upon both of my parents in turn, and they sent me back the next day with money to buy five more copies. So it seems only natural that when Rachael announced she would be creating a deluxe version of her previous release, Wired Up Wrong, and funding it through Kickstarter, obviously we would be backing it.

I was so excited just to receive it, because the physical book is gorgeous. It’s a lovely, compact shape, with a texture that’s very pleasing to the touch (these things matter to me, ok?), and the spot gloss which was one of her stretch goals is a really nice touch. But as lovely as it is on the outside, the content is so much better, and as soon as I had a free hour I devoured it in one sitting.

Wired Up Wrong is Smith’s ‘personal record of living with depression’ and an effort to understand the way her brain works. And whilst she states explicitly in the author’s note that it is not a self-help book, and she is not in any way qualified to offer advice, it really is a wonderful – and helpful – book on the topic. There are some excellent segments of informal advice and information in there, such as ‘A Good Thing to Do When You’re Panicking’, ‘Rachael’s Guide to Catastrophising’, ‘Self Harm Avoidance Techniques’ and a section where she talks about her own experiences on anti-depressant medication. But on the whole, this doesn’t feel like a book she wrote for anyone else, with a view to helping them work through their issues, it really feels like it’s the author working through hers, which is such a lovely thing to read. It’s so immensely brave of Smith to put so much of herself down on paper and open that up to us as readers, and I feel so privileged to have gone on the journey with her.

The anecdotes of living with depression and anxiety (like feeling way too much empathy for a plastic bottle you’re throwing away, beating up a table because you’re so angry, and crying about your dream because there was a leaf that was too perfect) are all incredibly relatable and the way Rachael writes them is so funny. There are darker and sadder moments too, which bring home the seriousness of what she’s writing about, but the overarching theme of the book is humour, and being able to roll your eyes at the stupid things your chemically imbalanced brain makes you do, rather than beating yourself up for doing them. The little Ryan-North-style captions at the bottom of the pages are just the comedy icing on the cake as well; things like ‘in my defence next door’s dog is a real dick. I can say that ‘cause he’s probably not gonna read this.’ are exactly my kind of humour, so she had me grinning throughout the whole book.

I also loved the repetition throughout the book. Seeing scenes with the ‘Wheel of Feels’, all of the ‘just get out of bed’s, and the round-and-round conversations with Barky keep coming back throughout the book really highlighted the cyclical nature of depression and anxiety disorders, and just how boring and tiring it can be living with the same thoughts over and over.

Obviously, as it’s a graphic novel, I have to talk about the art. Rachael Smith’s style is simply beautiful. This is not necessarily what you’d expect from a book about depression, as the cartoon style she opts for is so bright, colourful, and downright cheery in many places. The block colours in her panels, and the round edges and big, cute eyes on her characters are so pleasing to the eye and really endear you to the characters and the author herself. She manages to create this soft, warm, friendly and even optimistic vibe whilst writing about a topic which is really quite bleak, and I just felt like giving her a big hug when I finished it. Everything about it is just lovely, and she’s easily one of my favourite artists out there.

I’m so proud to say I helped get this book into print, and now I’m eager to start pressing it into the hands of everyone I can, so you can bet my copy will be making the rounds amongst my friends and family. Now that the Kickstarter campaign is finished, Wired Up Wrong available for purchase on Rachael Smith's Etsy store, along with her other books and merchandise, so I urge everyone to head over there and snag your own copy quick!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start to do this book justice. Can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve read some of Rachael Smith’s books and webcomics before by this was just perfection.

It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and I’ve never before felt so transported into the shoes of the writer.

Relatable, charming, funny, sad, cathartic......but most importantly of all honest, genuine and filled with hope.
I needed this last night and I’ve woke up today feeling different than yesterday as a result of reading. Yeah it really is that impactful.

So well structured and some of the pages are up there with the likes of Watterson and Larson in terms of how perfectly judged they are. Particularly the humour which is both clever and laugh out loud funny in places.

If you suffer, or ever have suffered from anxiety and/or depression you must read this book.
If you have never suffered from anxiety and depression, you must read this book.

[LC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great autobio comic about struggling with anxiety and depression! It's kind of comforting to see that even at 31, people still struggle with these things and can start to get better at any age! I first went to counselling when I was 19 and again when I was 21 then eventually therapy. I was really lucky to get it all through my mum and university at the time! The experience is very similar to that of Rachael's in the book. It's a never-ending process of constantly working through your thoughts to untangle the rational ones from the irrational ones- it's exhausting! This is a great reflection of those early stages when you're finally building up to giving yourself permission to be happy.

The art is solid throughout and it's well made! I'd say it's only let down by some of the quotes used as they are a bit patronising in my opinion but different strokes for different folks!

[Colin Murtagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit of an impulse. I'd seen someone was supporting it on Kickstarter, it seemed interesting, so I pledged, never having seen any of the artists work before. One of the best investments I've ever made.
It's an honest, emotional telling of the authors dealing with clinical depression. She says herself at the start, she's not a doctor, this is just what has worked for her. And it's very much a case of working, she's still a work in progress, but she is improving.
There's an interesting artistic trick used. Most people are aware of the black dog imagery used in depression, but the author has 2 black dogs. A mean evil looking one, and a big fluffy one. When her depression is at its worse, is when the fluffy one comes out. It's surprisingly effective for such a simple idea.
This is one of those books that tugs at you, I'll be coming back to it.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a current trend of authors, comedians, and other creators being very frank about their personal mental health - Gary Gulman's "The Great Depresh", Hannah Gadsby's "Nanette", Allie Brosh, Nate Stevenson, Julia Kaye...the list goes on. Rachael Smith continues this tradition but if you've read or watched any of the past list there isn't a whole lot new here for you. Still, Smith's frankness is important, and I especially appreciated the actual advice in here as well (along with her disclaimer to seek actual, professional health). The anthropomorphization of her depression is also a useful image that she explains succinctly and clearly - to that end, I'd definitely recommend this for people who are having trouble understanding what people with depression go through.

[Keen Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You have two skeletons inside you.”

Owing partly to the ever growing web comic culture in combination with society’s wider and increasing awareness and openness about the subject, the comic & graphic novel genre is now bursting with so many of these accounts – which is a positive and progressive thing and in my experience, most of the titles I’ve encountered seem to be really well done.

Smith negotiates this perennially tricky topic and opens up about her daily battles with her various demons, doing so with a level of balance, insight, honesty and humour which make for an enjoyable and empathetic experience and will hopefully prove to be helpful and inspiring to others who may going through similar issues.

[Holly Letson · Rating 2 out of 5]

As some who lives with anxiety and depression, I have read several of these graphic novels that are written to show how the author deals with said mental health issues.

I usually either relate to these types of GNs or find them to have funny moments. With this one, I found myself bored. I kept putting the GN down. Finishing this one was a chore.

The author's story seemed boring and unrelatable. Barky - her anxiety/depression depicted as a big black dog - was much more relatable. And, he was funny in the beginning, but all the repetition got boring quickly.

Let me just say that my 2* rating is being generous for this one.

[Estibaliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic, accurate, relatable, and still so funny. I don't deal with depression, but I once had an anxiety issue serious enough to be on meds, and that made me feel like I was slowly sliding down the hill to actual depression; anxiety is still a constant in my life, though not as severe, and I can tell you, this feels all so spot on.

Rachael really hits the mark when it comes to make depression accessible to anyone's understanding, but also on giving some good perspective and advice to fight it.

Having a mental health illness doesn't mean you are weak, it's just that: an illness.

[Mercer County Library System · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wired Up Wrong is an autobiographical graphic novel where author Rachael Smith documents her struggles with anxiety and depression through comic strips. The author presents anxiety and depression through a lens that is hilarious, sad, informative, dark, and hopeful all in one. This makes for a relatable read, letting the reader feel seen in a way they may have thought was not possible. (Reviewed by Rachel, Twin Rivers Branch)

[Charlotte Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel can do no wrong, I love this as much as if not more than then the first. And if I thought I cried before then boy was I wrong. It was incredibly personal but also ridiculously relatable. I hope to see much more of Rachaels work in the future.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing graphic memoir collection I’ll be recommending to anyone with anxiety or depression and/or those who love them; as the book states up front, it’s not a self help book but it will make you feel less alone and better understood.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book, I have actually gifted it several times just so that more people can read it. Rachel Smith does an amazing job of illustrating mental health struggles in a way that is easy to relate to and helpful to show others who don’t have the same struggles so they can understand better.

[Anna Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good! There were so many parts that I related to SO much, it was both slightly concerning and very reassuring. I was surprised that it wasn’t a story, but rather individual pages (sort of like scrolling through an Instagram feed), but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wired Up Wrong

I wouldn’t have named the book Wired Up Wrong but it’s still a very enlightening book. If you or someone you know is dealing with depression, this book helps give an idea of what a person’s going through.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short collection of comics about living with depression and anxiety. I laughed a few times and appreciated the author's vulnerability, but I found some of the content repetitive for such a slim volume and didn't appreciate the vulgar language.

[Michelle Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 'Wheel of Feels' bit was funny and relatable, but otherwise I found this all too self-helpy, too cutesy, and I didn't feel like Rachael Smith's captions to her comics added anything; if anything, they were just distracting.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a graphic novel to help you understand what someone who has depression and anxiety is going through, or you have it yourself and need an artist's POV of their experience with it, I present to you this graphic novel!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. A must-read for anyone who suffers from anxiety and or depression.

[Kristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read with fantastic personal stories and great thoughts about struggling with depression and anxiety. Lovely writing and illustrations, worth your time and money!