The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz: Introvering at 100%

THE ESCAPE MANUAL FOR INTROVERTS - Book Review

In her illustrated how-to guide, Katie Vaz shares tips for introverts seeking to ditch social situations. As she mentions in the foreword, the plans range from plausible and socially acceptable to kooky and wildly hilarious.

The book is divided into excuses for Friends, Relatives, Co-workers, Acquaintances, and Strangers. For friends, excuses range from “I already made plans with X” to pretending one’s phone battery is about to die mid-uncomfortable-conversation.

The excuses get crazier and more entertaining as the book progresses. This is a fun and engaging little book. I would definitely feel uncomfortable making some of these excuses as many are blatant lies. For example, she suggests saying “I have to go — I left X appliance on.”

However, as an introvert, I know I’ve dodged people I know in stores, just because I didn’t want to make small talk. So, I felt seen and understood by the Vaz’s fun illustrations.

I’d happily recommend The Escape Manual for Introverts to any introverts looking for a light, easy-to-read book on introversion. The illustrations are easy on the eyes and it covers a wide variety of scenarios — you just might catch yourself taking notes!

Overall: The Escape Manual for Introverts

The Escape Manual for Introverts is a collection of illustrations empathizing with the plight of the introvert stuck in prolonged social situations. Author Katie Vaz recommends a variety of escape solutions in multiple scenarios. If you enjoy illustrations, graphic novels, or graphic memoirs, you’ll enjoy this little book!