Puzzled: A Memoir about Growing Up with OCD
Pan Cooke
Growing up with undiagnosed OCD sure isn’t easy, and here Pan Cooke shares his own experiences with that condition in a graphic-novel memoir that is as funny as it is powerfully candid and openhearted. Pan Cooke is ten years old when anxious thoughts begin to take over his brain like pieces of an impossible puzzle. What if he blurts out a swear word while in church? What if he accidentally writes something mean in his classmate’s get-well card? What if his friend’s racy photo of a supermodel ends up in his own homework and is discovered by his teacher? More and more, he becomes hijacked by fears that can only be calmed through exhausting, time-consuming rituals. Pan has no way of knowing that this anxiety puzzle and the stressful attempts to solve it are evidence of a condition called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is his story of living with and eventually learning about OCD. Told with endearing honesty and humor, Puzzled shows the reader the importance of empathy for oneself and those going through something they don’t yet understand.
Publication Year: 2024
No posts yet
Kick off the convo with a theory, question, musing, or update
Your rating:
0 0 Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for letting me read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
*Note: I rated this book on the non-fiction version of the CAWPILE system, since it is a memoir.
Puzzled
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall
Credibility/Research - 6
Since the book is from and about Cooke's own experiences, there is much credibility in this book. I do think there could have been more of an explanation of what OCD is - the information provided felt fairly surface-level. However, I understand that the book is not trying to be super scientific, so I get that it might not have fit the tone as well.
Authenticity/Uniqueness - 7
The book was certainly authentic and had a clear focus. However, it didn't feel super unique or original. While it's true that there aren't many accurate books about OCD on the market today, that felt like the only uniqueness point I could really give this book.
Writing - 7
The writing was fine, if a bit bland at times. I enjoyed the extended metaphor of the puzzle throughout the book and the perspective of the different manifestations of OCD symptoms.
Personal Impact - 6
I was glad to have learned more about OCD from this book, but this didn't have a big personal impact for me otherwise. However, I think this book will likely have a bigger impact for those who have OCD as they can see similar experiences reflected back to them in a likeable and heartfelt story.
Intrigue - 7
I was intrigued by the description and cover of this book. I was interested to learn more about OCD and I think I came away with some new insights after reading this story.
Logic/Informativeness - 7
The story that was told and the conclusions drawn seemed logical. This book was fairly informative about what experiences with OCD can look like.
Enjoyment - 6
I enjoyed learning about Cooke's journey to learning about, managing, and accepting his OCD. :)
0
© 2024 Pagebound