Barely Functional Adult Review

by Meichi Ng

Rating: 5/5

Wielding her trademark balance of artful humor, levity, and heartbreaking introspection, Meichi Ng’s indisputably relatable collection of short stories holds a mirror to our past, present, and future selves.

Featuring a swaddled, gender-neutral, Barely Functional Adult as its protagonist, who says all the things we think but cannot say, this book is equal parts humorous and heartbreaking as it spans a spectrum of topics including imposter syndrome, therapy, friendships, first loves, letting go of exes, and just trying to find your purpose in the world. Prepare to excitedly shove this book in your friend’s face with little decorum as you shout, “THIS IS SO US!”

In this beautiful, four-color collection compiled completely of never-before-seen content, Meichi perfectly captures the best and worst of us in every short story, allowing us to weep with pleasure at our own fallibility. Hilarious, relatable, and heart-wrenchingly honest, Barely Functional Adult will have you laughing and crying in the same breath, and taking solace in the fact that we’re anything but alone in this world.

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After a less than stellar read with my last self-help read, I was itching for another. And I happened to come across this book during my last trip to Powell’s Books in Portland. I couldn’t not get it.

And then of course, I devoured this shortly after I got home! This was so funny, so cute and incredibly relatable! I loved everything about this one. And being told in a series of comics was absolutely adorable.

I’d highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys graphic novels and self-help books!