Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel by Ned Vizzini | Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The groundbreaking story by New York Times best-selling author Ned Vizzini that inspired the Tony-nominated Broadway musical--now adapted in a graphic novel by #1 New York Times best-selling author David Levithan.
Jeremy Heere is your average high school dork. Day after day, he stares at beautiful Christine, the girl he can never have, and dryly notes the small humiliations that come his way. Until the day he learns about the "squip."
A pill-sized supercomputer that you swallow, the squip is guaranteed to bring you whatever you most desire in life. By instructing him on everything from what to wear, to how to talk and walk, the squip transforms Jeremy from geek to the coolest guy in class. Soon he is friends with his former tormentors and has the attention of the hottest girls in school.
But Jeremy discovers that there is a dark side to handing over control of your life--and it can have disastrous consequences.

Why Did I Read Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel by Ned Vizzini?

Previously, I’ve read two books by Ned Vizzini - Teen Angst, Nahhh and The Other Normals. Be More Chill is one of his more famous books, but I’ve not yet read it. The graphic novel adaptation showed up in my mailbox, so I figured it was as good a time as any to finally pick this book up. Plus, there’s the fact that David Levithan adapted it which absolutely bumped it up in my esteem.

What’s The Story Here?

Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel is about Jeremy who is absolutely uncool and totally socially awkward. Jeremy has a crush on one of his classmates named Christine. They’re in the play together. Yet, he can never seem to find the right words to say to her. Plus, there’s a rumor that he wrote her a letter and is stalking her. Jeremy believes there is no cure for his loserhood. That is, until he is given a tip about a nanocomputer called a Squip. So, he buys one, swallows it, and has the voice of Keanu Reeves guiding him on how to be more chill. The squip turns Jeremy into kind of a dick as he ditches his best friend and starts flirting with other girls.

What Did I Think Of Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel?

I think this was a fun palate cleanser, but overall, not entirely the graphic novel for me. I could feel some empathy for Jeremy. However, he almost seems to view Christine as more an object than a person. And the whole mission to attain her affection just made me feel weird to read. However, I am quite removed from being a teenager, so it could just be that my feelings are a little off on this. Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel was, however, a fast read. I was able to finish it in one sitting.

How’s The Art?

The graphic novel is illustrated by Nick Bertozzi. It uses a lot of blues, which for some reason, I like. Maybe because blue is a chill color to me and the title is Be More Chill? Anyways, the art flows really well with the story. It is all blue, gray, black and white. It is easy on the eyes. It also was easy to understand what was going on in each panel.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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