Introduction
The graphic novel The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances, authored by Matthew Inman (also known as The Oatmeal), explores the author’s unorthodox relationship with running. This piece is thought-provoking while being illustrated in a rather entertaining manner. However, while the book contains an honest and insightful account of why one might partake in running, the author sometimes comes off as judgmental and hypocritical.
Strengths
First, it is worthwhile to establish that the novel does not follow a particular structure. Instead, this graphic novel makes one think of a collection of comics united by the topic of running. In some ways, this lack of organization ends up benefiting the book because of its incredibly informal tone. It gives the reader the impression that they are having a candid conversation with a friend, full of laughs and profound exchanges. However, this is not always the case, as shown below.
Throughout the comics, one of the primary explanations for the author’s long-distance running is revealed to be escapism. The author elaborates that he always thinks of himself as put-together after running. The arduous runs make him feel justified in his unhealthy habits, such as overeating and lazing around, as he has supposedly earned them. This way, he can stay content with his life, even during hard times. This confession, while unorthodox, is hardly reproachable, as running is a relatively tame way one can engage in escapism. Overall, the author’s discussions of why one would run make for the most engaging parts of the book.
Weaknesses
Nonetheless, this is not to say that this graphic novel is without its faults. As the author shares his background with the reader, he states that he grew up overweight (Inman 8). This was one of the reasons he started running: to avoid being that person again. However, the author then states that appearances are unimportant to him: “I run long distances to feel good, not to look good” (Inman 30).
Nevertheless, the graphic novel contains multiple sections concerned with people’s appearances. For example, an entire panel is devoted to berating tanning beds and calling those who use them “vapid, narcissistic idiots who have barren vacuums where their thoughts, fears, and passions should be” (Inman 29). Combined with the author’s self-professed lack of concern for appearances, these statements seem rather extreme.
While this graphic novel often employs over-exaggeration for comedic effect, the discrepancy between what the author says and the actual contents of the book does appear jarring. Complete with the established honest tone, this can be read as a lack of self-awareness or even hypocrisy. In this way, the form seems to not follow the function but to undercut it instead.
Conclusion
To conclude, Matthew Inman’s graphic novel provides an interesting perspective on running, showcasing the benefits of healthy escapism methods. Moreover, it manages to be entertaining because the lack of specific order makes the comics easy to digest. However, the author sometimes contradicts himself, seemingly without realizing it. Therefore, the frankness with which the book is written can fall short, depending on the reader’s outlook.
Work Cited
Inman, Matthew. The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2014.