Description

Book Synopsis

The highly-anticipated third installment of Rachael Smith's award-winning auto-bio comics

'Rachael Smith's trademark bittersweet, funny and very personal comics make for the perfect chronicle of the weird times we've been living through. They are funny and sad and relatable and wise.' Chris Addison, comedian and director of Veep

'It's no wonder people respond strongly to Rachael's work. Brave is a term people like to bandy around about personal comics, but it's appropriate sometimes. The real wonder of her work is the easy comic touch.' Kate Beaton, author of Hark! A Vagrant

At age ten, Rachael Smith was going to group meetings to help her handle her dad's alcoholism. After his death, trying to manage her grief, she found herself with her own problematic relationship with alcohol.

From the award-winning author of Quarantine Comix, Wired Up Wrong and Stand in Your Power, this is another extremely honest and relatable auto-bio comic shining a light on the realities of mental health with humour, warmth and insight. Rufus the cat (recent star of a New Yorker cartoon) and Barky, the giant black dog inside her head, are returning characters fans of Rachael Smith will be heartened to be reunited with.



Trade Review
Rachael Smith's trademark bittersweet, funny and very personal comics make for the perfect chronicle of the weird times we've been living through. They are funny and sad and relatable and wise. -- Chris Addison, comedian and director of Veep
You're never more alone after a break-up. Rachael, wittily describing her personal hell, will make you feel less so. * Kieron Gillan, author of The Wicked + The Divine *
Rachael Smith's new book is raw, real stuff that digs deep into highly relatable, indeed, universal issues and yet manages to burst every moment of pain with a laugh. This is Smith set free, the book she was always going to create. Magnificent. -- Paul Cornell, author of London Falling
Love how Rachael takes giant horrible painful sh*t and somehow makes it cute and funny as well as relatable! She makes really scary stuff normal again, and therefore less scary, which is an amazing superpower! -- Leah Moore
A bittersweet, funny and insightful journey through some of the darker parts of human life. -- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt series
This book is the most fantastic gift to the world. By turns poignant and hilarious, but always insightful. -- Gareth L Powell, author of Embers of War
How Rachael writes about her own life with such compassion for her readers is a constant source of joy. Whether I'm reading a chapter with clear parallels to my own life or one that's more specific to her, I always feel like the book is reaching out to give me a hug and tell me we're all going to be okay. -- Dani Colman, author of The Unfinished Corner
It takes a brave artist to delve into the darkness of grief, addiction and mental health. It takes a great artist to find the heart and the humor of it all. Rachael Smith is both, and Glass Half Empty proves just how lucky we are to have her voice. -- Jody Houser
For Rachael to expose her vulnerabilities in such a heartfelt way takes bravery. To make you laugh at the same time takes rare talent. -- Antony Johnston

Glass Half Empty

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    £12.34

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    RRP £12.99 – you save £0.65 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 22 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Rachael Smith

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Glass Half Empty by Rachael Smith

      Publisher: Icon Books
      Publication Date: 18/05/2023
      ISBN13: 9781785788970, 978-1785788970
      ISBN10: 1785788973

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      The highly-anticipated third installment of Rachael Smith's award-winning auto-bio comics

      'Rachael Smith's trademark bittersweet, funny and very personal comics make for the perfect chronicle of the weird times we've been living through. They are funny and sad and relatable and wise.' Chris Addison, comedian and director of Veep

      'It's no wonder people respond strongly to Rachael's work. Brave is a term people like to bandy around about personal comics, but it's appropriate sometimes. The real wonder of her work is the easy comic touch.' Kate Beaton, author of Hark! A Vagrant

      At age ten, Rachael Smith was going to group meetings to help her handle her dad's alcoholism. After his death, trying to manage her grief, she found herself with her own problematic relationship with alcohol.

      From the award-winning author of Quarantine Comix, Wired Up Wrong and Stand in Your Power, this is another extremely honest and relatable auto-bio comic shining a light on the realities of mental health with humour, warmth and insight. Rufus the cat (recent star of a New Yorker cartoon) and Barky, the giant black dog inside her head, are returning characters fans of Rachael Smith will be heartened to be reunited with.



      Trade Review
      Rachael Smith's trademark bittersweet, funny and very personal comics make for the perfect chronicle of the weird times we've been living through. They are funny and sad and relatable and wise. -- Chris Addison, comedian and director of Veep
      You're never more alone after a break-up. Rachael, wittily describing her personal hell, will make you feel less so. * Kieron Gillan, author of The Wicked + The Divine *
      Rachael Smith's new book is raw, real stuff that digs deep into highly relatable, indeed, universal issues and yet manages to burst every moment of pain with a laugh. This is Smith set free, the book she was always going to create. Magnificent. -- Paul Cornell, author of London Falling
      Love how Rachael takes giant horrible painful sh*t and somehow makes it cute and funny as well as relatable! She makes really scary stuff normal again, and therefore less scary, which is an amazing superpower! -- Leah Moore
      A bittersweet, funny and insightful journey through some of the darker parts of human life. -- Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt series
      This book is the most fantastic gift to the world. By turns poignant and hilarious, but always insightful. -- Gareth L Powell, author of Embers of War
      How Rachael writes about her own life with such compassion for her readers is a constant source of joy. Whether I'm reading a chapter with clear parallels to my own life or one that's more specific to her, I always feel like the book is reaching out to give me a hug and tell me we're all going to be okay. -- Dani Colman, author of The Unfinished Corner
      It takes a brave artist to delve into the darkness of grief, addiction and mental health. It takes a great artist to find the heart and the humor of it all. Rachael Smith is both, and Glass Half Empty proves just how lucky we are to have her voice. -- Jody Houser
      For Rachael to expose her vulnerabilities in such a heartfelt way takes bravery. To make you laugh at the same time takes rare talent. -- Antony Johnston

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