I Feel Awful, Thanks

February 19, 2024
Pickle’s whimsical debut employs a fantasy setting to gently untangle issues of mental health and self-care. In a world of witchcraft, Joana, a bright-eyed, blue-haired young Spanish witch, lands her dream job developing potions in London, “the most magical and romantic city in the world.” Beneath her cheery exterior, however, Joana suffers from anxiety and is worn down by the stress of finding and keeping an apartment, navigating office politics, dealing with her condescending boss (“You’re being far too emotional, Miss Joana”), and adapting to life on her own. “If everything is my fault,” she asks, “why do I feel this fire of rage burning inside me?” A therapeutic “dragon tamer” helps Joana corral her monstrous feelings while sharing psychological insights (emotions “are part of us.... We have a relationship with each... but like any relationship, here have to be boundaries, respect, and balance”) that will resonate with readers, particularly younger adults. Pickle’s soft, friendly artwork fits the story’s cozy vibe, with appealing characters exploring detailed London streets and colorful interiors. The panels break into jagged shards whenever Joana has an anxiety attack, and swirls of color represent her whirling turmoil. The self-help advice may not be revelatory, but the charming art and worldbuilding bolster the reassuring message that “it’s okay to not be okay.” Readers will be won over.

January 26, 2024

Joana, a twentysomething witch, makes her first foray into enchanted adult life. The elements are in place--the intrigue of the big city, her first job, a promising love interest, and a new living situation. But minor crises and emotional curveballs soon find her sinking into snowballing psychological distress. The city and coworkers are okay, but the boss subtly steals her work and undermines her shaky confidence, her roommate is impossible to please, and she risks her romantic prospects with her inability to express her emotions. The story captures the slow-burn nature of young adulthood's familiar challenges and models how to manage them. Joana, after stumbles and scrambles, pursues therapy in the form of "dragon training" to work with her emotions rather than reject them. The slightly fantastical setting of a magic-infused London and Pickle's cute-but-cool character designs provide a useful framework to hold the all-too-raw experience of entering adulthood at arm's length, while also offering helpful techniques to understand and manage one's profound and complicated inner world. VERDICT Written from the heart and personal experience, Pickle's debut is a compelling effort to help young adults feel seen through an imaginative delve into familiar psychological challenges.--Emilia Packard

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