I know not everyone is going to like RoMANIC Comedy.
I know people who choose to read this or attempt to read this may have critiques about the writing style and voice. But in my personal opinion, I thought this book was great, and here’s why.
I love books that tell an honest, and sometimes even difficult, story. I think a superpower we often ignore is our own vulnerability and when I see people write about their experiences with honesty, I have deep respect for it.
So here’s how this story went.
About RoMANIC Comedy
RoMANIC Comedy is a 115-page, non-fiction story that follows Sam Dow, an 18-year-old man who attempts suicide after a mental breakdown and ends up in a psychiatric ward.
Published by Amused Owl, which is Sam Dow’s publishing site, the story acts as a diary of his short time in the psychiatric ward.
And while, yes, suicide is something to be laughed at, Dow comes at his whole personal experience with honesty and humor.
During his time in the psychiatric ward, he makes friends, makes music, and ultimately leaves the facility after his time is over.
About the Author, Sam Dow
Sam Dow is a musician, artist, and author of RoMANIC Comedy. He lives in London, Ontario with his partner and children.
By day, Sam runs a charitable organization; by later that day, he is working on creative projects, like RoMANIC Comedy, and upcoming books One Rev of the Engine and Earthman.
He is also a musician, having released two jazz albums as The Dead Roaches, and a folk-singer-songwriter album Fake Moustaches and Other Songs. He is also co-host of the infrequent podcast, SpinThis! A Music Podcast.
What I Loved Most About RoMANIC Comedy
I absolutely loved honest and authentic writing works that can demonstrate human complexity, which is why I love this book.
RoMANIC comedy doesn’t have many climactic parts, except for the beginning when we experience his mental break.
From there, it truly reads like the comical and pleasant ramblings of someone writing in their diary and that voice is consistent throughout the entire book, which I appreciated greatly.
There were multiple times in this book where I was amused and laughing out loud at the dialogue, internal thought, and cleverness.
There are also some very quirky drawings that accommodate his thoughts. But was is really great about this book is the self-awareness Sam constantly has for his condition.
You have a chance to see the ups and downs of the character as he goes recovers from the mental breakdown.
Things I Wanted to See More Of
Even with as much as I enjoyed this book, there were a few things I would have loved to see more of (maybe it can be done in a second edition perhaps?)
While I think his consistent voice and funny rants and diary entries were entertaining and interesting, I think this book could’ve been greatly ehanced with more descriptions of where he was and the other people he was interacting with at the psych ward.
Although I could absolutely get a sense of where we were, I love books that make me feel like I’m there, and I think this book is missing that just a little bit.
More drawings. More, more, more. They were so unique and funny, and they were consistent throughout the first portion of the book and then kind of disappeared until the end.
That being said, this may coincide with the ups and downs he was experiencing throughout the book.
I gave this story 4 stars overall and the reason being was I think this story could have really benefitted from formatting and editing services.
My Favorite Quotes from RoMANIC Comedy
There were some OUTSTANDING quotes in here that I had to jot down immediately. Obviously, this looks like I’m just giving away the whole story, but trust me, there is a lot more story than this.
I hope you read these and it makes you pick up and buy this book. Read more below!
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“Actually, one of them is a sad face.” “Why?” she asked. “Well, you know, you can’t have only happiness. It’s not like that.” “No, why did you draw the faces at all?” I didn’t have an answer for her.
—-
Alexis is sick, too. She’s sick like me. Her problems are with eating. Whenever she eats, she just pukes it all up again. We have a deal, the two of us do: I wouldn’t hurt myself and she wouldn’t puke. We both aren’t very good at keeping our promises.
—-
I feel like he has his shit together, as far as one can have their shit together in a place like this.
—-
Just smile and pretend you’re okay. Just smile and pretend you’re not Sam Dow.
—-
I had a nightmare last night. It was one of the most vivid nightmares I’ve had in a long time. In the nightmare, my arm was bleeding, and I was hearing this voice. The voice said, “He bleeds, he’s a bleeder.” The voice spoke with a scary whisper. I could see a reflection in the blood dripping from my arm. I could see the reflection of a shadowy demon spirit, and I felt it reach into my body and grab my soul. I could actually feel my soul being pulled out of my body. Scars appeared on my left arm. Then a bunch of pirate spirits were dancing into the room, singing sea-shanties. I tried to lock all the doors and windows to keep them out as they danced out of the room.
—-
The world is too big of a place for someone like me.
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“Listen to me, man,” said Jamie. “Once I leave this place, once you leave this leave this place, nothing can stop us. You know why?” I shook my head, “No.” “Because we’ve been through it all. After being in a place like this, what else is there to go through?”
—-
She read everything I wrote tonight. Everything I didn’t want her to see.
—-
“So basically, it’s your life story then,” said Eileen. “No, because I haven’t killed myself yet. Haven’t you been listening?”
—-
I feel carefree, at peace. The saunter of a Willy-nilly.
—-
It was a good waste of time.
Buy RoMANIC Comedy on Amazon!
RoMANIC Comedy is available on Amazon and can be added to your TBR list on Goodreads.
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