Reading List: Not Funny Ha-Ha (A handbook for something hard)

I follow through my committment, on this fourth day. November, 25th was the International Day for the elimination of violence against women and we try to make a run for December, 10th (International Human Rights Day) by making each day matter. I know, I promised I would talk more about my notebooks, whose royalties I’m goin […]

I follow through my committment, on this fourth day. November, 25th was the International Day for the elimination of violence against women and we try to make a run for December, 10th (International Human Rights Day) by making each day matter. I know, I promised I would talk more about my notebooks, whose royalties I’m goin gto devolve to Cerchi d’Acqua, a cooperative association helping women who have experienced gender violence. For now you’ll have to settle for another reading suggestion and yet another comic book.

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Not Funny Ha-Ha: A Handbook for Something Hard
by Leah Hayes

Not Funny Ha-Ha is a bold, slightly wry graphic novel illustrating the lives of two young women from different cultural, family, and financial backgrounds who go through two different abortions (medical and surgical).

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It follows them through the process of choosing a clinic, reaching out to friends, partners, and/or family, and eventually the procedure(s) itself. It simply shows what happens when a woman goes through it, no questions asked. Despite the fact that so many women and girls have abortions every day, in every city, all around us, it can be a lonely experience.

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Strangely dor me, who never dabbles in the topic of motherhood, I already wrote about abortion  in relation with Amanda Palmer’s work and, specifically, to her misadventure in singing about the topic in Ireland, so you should know how I feel.

Not Funny Ha-Ha is a little bit technical, a little bit moving, and often funny, in a format uniquely suited to communicate.

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Sketched in hyper-delicate tones on yellow paper, the book goes along the lines of what I was talkin  about: the importance of being supported, of not being left alone, of fighting the shame and isolationism often fostered around this kind of topic.

The book is meant to be a non-judgmental, comforting, even humorous look at what a woman can go through during an abortion. Although the subject matter is heavy, the illustrations are light.

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The author takes a step back from putting forth any personal opinion whatsoever, simply laying out the events and possible emotional repercussions that could, and often do occur.

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