Crazy compelling

This has been on my to-read list for about three years and I FINALLY got to it. Now I'm kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. I read it in about a day because it was such a fascinating subject and the author did such a good job of telling her story. Ellen Forney got diagnosed with Bipolar 1 around the time she turned 30. This book takes you on her journey as she relays what life was like pre-diagnoses (an emotional rollercoaster, but one that she didn't realize was happening because she wasn't closely monitoring her own patterns yet), during the early years of grappling with the diagnosis (she was in therapy, but doubted she needed medication and thought that the manic version of her could take care of the depressed version - spoiler, that didn't work out), and then during the grueling, four-year journey to find the right medication to balance symptoms and self-expression.

I appreciated being able to read a firsthand account from someone who has a bipolar diagnosis instead of reading something from someone else in that person's life or a fictionalized account (both of which I have read previously). Marbles also offered a particularly fascinating "take" on the subject because it delved into the intersections between "mood disorders" and what it means to be creative. We've all heard the trope about the "crazy, intense artist", but Forney helps us sift the facts from the fiction when it comes to that stereotype - all while showcasing some well-known artists throughout history who also dealt with mood disorders like bipolar, depression, and anxiety. Forney asked a lot of the questions I had, including:

• How the heck did they even KNOW that some of these people suffered from these disorders?
• IS there a higher correlation between artists and mood disorders?
• Would some of them have preferred to be medicated if that were an option for them or did they feel reliant on the high highs and low lows to produce their art?

Overall, Forney's personal narrative drives the story and keeps you turning pages, and the history of art and mood disorders is the cherry on top of a compelling graphic novel cake! My only critique is that I wish there were color illustrations for this one because I think it would've benefited from some splashes of color here and there, if not throughout. Still, all of the emotions are conveyed without them, and you're captivated anyway - at least I was!

--reviewed by Liz B.