2011-21 - It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

21 - It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini, 444 pages, Hyperion,2006
WHY I PICKED IT: I watched the movie, and was interested in the premise, so thought I'd try the book.
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: Meh

This is the story of Craig - who works hard to get into a prestigious school in NYC, and then has a nervous breakdown when he realizes that he's not happy there.  This is a kid who got overly stressed with 93s; as if those were failing grades.  He ultimately checks himself into a mental hospital on a 5-day hold for a suicide watch... and the story goes from there.

It's nice when the movie follows the book - and the one based on this book certainly did.  That being said, the movie has Zach Galifianakis with warmth and depth and comedic timing.  Vizzini wrote depth into his characters, not just the leads but most of the other residents of the hospital and his friends, but for some reason it didn't come together.  The warmth that came through the characters in the movie, was missing here.  That being said, the plot was slightly more realistic here than in the movie.

All in all, ... meh.  I would not recommend this book and will likely not remember it.