Advance Review — An Incredibly Dark Story, Beautifully Told In ‘Barking’ By Lucy Sullivan

Barking by Lucy Sullivan is pure chaos. The lead character Alix Otto is haunted by the death of her friend. When her depression and anxiety finally break her after a year of grieving, she ends up in an institution. Things get worse. With none of the usual daily distractions, she has nowhere to hide from her rapidly spiraling thoughts. Disinterested attendants, group therapy, and isolation only give more power to the black dog manifestation of her mental illness.  

One of the first things that you’ll see when cracking open this 124 page hardcover is the dedication page, with mental health slurs scribbled all over it.

Nutter. Batshit. Touched. Barmy. Bananas. Fruitcake. Bonkers. Cuckoo. Loony. Nuts.

These are words that roll off the tongue in the most banal conversations. It isn’t until you see them presented together on a page, violently scribbled around the simple message ‘For Stephen,’ that you see their power.

There’s a strange dichotomy in society as we learn more about mental health symptoms, causes, and treatment. We know more about the subject than ever, but still treat people with mental illness as social pariahs. On paper and in social media, we’re all very empathetic and understanding, but in real life, patience quickly wears thin with folks who are acting differently than we expect them to.

This is an incredibly dark story, beautifully told. From the tumultuous opening scene to the last splash page, authentic, raw emotion jumps off the pages, offering a small glimpse into a very personal struggle. 

The artwork reminds me of Ralph Steadman’s work in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The linework and shading looks like it was done with a fountain pen, complete with splatter and smudges. 

Sullivan’s choice to use an achromatic palette works on several levels. Coupled with the fountain pen scratch style, the lack of color makes the whole story look like it could have been scribbled in someone’s therapy journal. It also drives home a bleak and hopeless tone that makes it easier to get into the protagonist’s emotional state. 

As more and more of us begin coming to terms with our own mental health, books like Barking are increasingly important. This is the most accessible and accurate description of depression and anxiety that I’ve read. It highlights the failures in the mental health system and humanizes the folks who are dependent on it. It’s not a comfortable read, and it isn’t intended to be.

Barking will be available for purchase for $22.99/£16.99 on February 27, 2024, and is currently available for pre-order at your local shop and at online retailers. 

Mental Health Resources available in the US:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

You can also visit the SAMHSA  online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message to 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is Available 24 hours in English or Spanish by dialing or texting  988.

Mental Health Resources in the UK:

The NHS has mental health services available on their website, including this link for urgent mental health crises, and this link for assistance in finding therapy options.