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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
