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vlreid's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful book by the talented artist Lucy Knisley. This one chronicles the ups and downs of her pregnancy and delivery. It is so much more than a comic book, discussing serious subjects such as contraception, miscarriages, pregnancy complications, labor complications, and more. We follow along with her ups and downs as she honestly portrays what it was really like for her. Parts of this book are difficult to read, and it's not a memoir for all pregnant women, but instead a peak into reality through Lucy's drawings, humor and point of view.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
halliegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
I've long been a fan of Lucy Knisley's autobiographical comics following them from college onwards (I started with her squid halloween costume on Livejournal, and [b:Salvaged Parts|11256615|Salvaged Parts|Lucy Knisley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350840665l/11256615._SX50_.jpg|16183315] was something I clung to after a bad breakup, though she and John eventually reconciled later obviously), but haven't kept up with recent publications though I do recall this happening in real time from her instagram. I picked up Kid Gloves and [b:Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood|44280838|Go to Sleep (I Miss You) Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood|Lucy Knisley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563490954l/44280838._SX50_.jpg|68794394] last time we were at Powells though, as I'm currently in the middle of my own pregnancy! In many ways, she feels parasocially like a peer who's a few years ahead of me in terms of life stages.
Like previous graphic novels, Kid Gloves is part memoir from trying to conceive through a very traumatic birth (tw: miscarriage, pre-eclampsia to eclampsia, ob-gyn ignoring concerns), part survey on the current research and history of the topic (birth and maternity care). I recognize that sounds like a downer, but it's accompanied by her humor and warm graphics even when cartoon!Lucy is puking her guts out with what's probably hyperemesis gravidarum. The style shifts appropriately with tone when we dip into John's perspective for Pal's birth via emergency c-section.
One theme that repeats in both Lucy's personal experience and extant research is how stark the silence and ignorance is on miscarriages and maternal mortality. The former are very common (1/4 pregnancies) but are societal taboo to discuss, leaving many to suffer alone until they open up and discover in quiet conversations that actually, many people around them have similar experiences. I've found this is true for reproductive traumas in general, which makes it SO FRUSTRATING when legislation and policy are made assuming that issues never come up, and everything'll be fine/get over it/etc. There's a religious-tinged expectation (in the United States at least) that as a feminine-dominant state, pregnancy should involve suffering and potential martyrdom when bringing forth new life. Lucy mentions that the overwhelming majority of state and federal funding for "maternal and child health" goes towards babies with only 6% for maternal care. Personally, in voluntarily choosing to be pregnant I've grown sharply more in favor of policies that do not sacrifice pregnant patients, especially considering maternal mortality rates have INCREASED over recent years in the United States. Lucy's approachable comics bring these underdiscussed, serious topics to a general audience and I do think readers who don't have kids or are childfree should still consider giving this a read.
On a happier note, Linney sightings! what a great cat.
Like previous graphic novels, Kid Gloves is part memoir from trying to conceive through a very traumatic birth (tw: miscarriage, pre-eclampsia to eclampsia, ob-gyn ignoring concerns), part survey on the current research and history of the topic (birth and maternity care). I recognize that sounds like a downer, but it's accompanied by her humor and warm graphics even when cartoon!Lucy is puking her guts out with what's probably hyperemesis gravidarum. The style shifts appropriately with tone when we dip into John's perspective for Pal's birth via emergency c-section.
One theme that repeats in both Lucy's personal experience and extant research is how stark the silence and ignorance is on miscarriages and maternal mortality. The former are very common (1/4 pregnancies) but are societal taboo to discuss, leaving many to suffer alone until they open up and discover in quiet conversations that actually, many people around them have similar experiences. I've found this is true for reproductive traumas in general, which makes it SO FRUSTRATING when legislation and policy are made assuming that issues never come up, and everything'll be fine/get over it/etc. There's a religious-tinged expectation (in the United States at least) that as a feminine-dominant state, pregnancy should involve suffering and potential martyrdom when bringing forth new life. Lucy mentions that the overwhelming majority of state and federal funding for "maternal and child health" goes towards babies with only 6% for maternal care. Personally, in voluntarily choosing to be pregnant I've grown sharply more in favor of policies that do not sacrifice pregnant patients, especially considering maternal mortality rates have INCREASED over recent years in the United States. Lucy's approachable comics bring these underdiscussed, serious topics to a general audience and I do think readers who don't have kids or are childfree should still consider giving this a read.
On a happier note, Linney sightings! what a great cat.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. I really admired the way Knisley wrote not just about her own pregnancy and birth experience, but the way she wove a lot of larger issues into the book, such as women choosing to remain childless, the absolute dearth of information on women's health, and the travesty of how little most women know about their own bodies because of inadequate sex education and instruction on general health.
Knisley's struggles with fertility issues were poignant, and her honest and raw portrayal of her sense of loss after her miscarriages was really affecting. I'm glad this has become a part of the conversation. This isn't a subject that should be taboo, and women shouldn't have to suffer in solitude, wondering if they did something wrong. The more people speak openly about these issues, and the more well-known figures like Michelle Obama speak candidly about their own miscarriages, the less stigmatized women will feel and the less they'll blame themselves.
Lastly, Knisley's recounting of her issues with undiagnosed pre-eclampsia touch on something extremely important. Not only is women's health poorly understood and not nearly studied enough, doctors tend to be biased against women and dismissive of their concerns (for more information about this, the book Invisible Women is a good source, and there are many articles that discuss this problem). Though Knisley repeatedly asks her doctor about the possibility of pre-eclampsia, he writes off her concerns and, from what the book depicts, displays a chilling lack of concern for his patient's well-being. Honestly, I hope she sued him for malpractice. As she points out, women of color have it much worse when it comes to maternal mortality, and reading Serena Williams's shocking account of her own birth experience provides vivid evidence of this problem. Women deserve better outcomes. It's shameful that the U.S. has such an abysmal maternal mortality rate--yet one more symptom of our wholly inadequate health care system.
This was a really lovely memoir, one that's sweet, funny, and also terrifying. I appreciate Knisley's honesty, especially because women's ability to candidly discuss birth and pregnancy are long, long overdue.
Laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. I really admired the way Knisley wrote not just about her own pregnancy and birth experience, but the way she wove a lot of larger issues into the book, such as women choosing to remain childless, the absolute dearth of information on women's health, and the travesty of how little most women know about their own bodies because of inadequate sex education and instruction on general health.
Knisley's struggles with fertility issues were poignant, and her honest and raw portrayal of her sense of loss after her miscarriages was really affecting. I'm glad this has become a part of the conversation. This isn't a subject that should be taboo, and women shouldn't have to suffer in solitude, wondering if they did something wrong. The more people speak openly about these issues, and the more well-known figures like Michelle Obama speak candidly about their own miscarriages, the less stigmatized women will feel and the less they'll blame themselves.
Lastly, Knisley's recounting of her issues with undiagnosed pre-eclampsia touch on something extremely important. Not only is women's health poorly understood and not nearly studied enough, doctors tend to be biased against women and dismissive of their concerns (for more information about this, the book Invisible Women is a good source, and there are many articles that discuss this problem). Though Knisley repeatedly asks her doctor about the possibility of pre-eclampsia, he writes off her concerns and, from what the book depicts, displays a chilling lack of concern for his patient's well-being. Honestly, I hope she sued him for malpractice. As she points out, women of color have it much worse when it comes to maternal mortality, and reading Serena Williams's shocking account of her own birth experience provides vivid evidence of this problem. Women deserve better outcomes. It's shameful that the U.S. has such an abysmal maternal mortality rate--yet one more symptom of our wholly inadequate health care system.
This was a really lovely memoir, one that's sweet, funny, and also terrifying. I appreciate Knisley's honesty, especially because women's ability to candidly discuss birth and pregnancy are long, long overdue.
fbroom's review against another edition
4.0
This was super cute unlike her earlier books. Still beautiful drawings but at least meaningful this time and not condescending.
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
Oh Lucy. You’re so honest with your comics, and I appreciate that you share your life with us. People usually only share in private, if at all and if ever. Thanks for all your vulnerability and courage. That’s some Brené Brown shiz right there ;-)
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Knisley does it again! Graphic memoirs are always personal. Knisley's have always been amusing and entertaining, but this one is a more personal look at her experiences from sex education until giving birth to her son. She does not shy away from talking about her experience with birth control, miscarriages, and the complications she had during pregnancy and childbirth. Sprinkled throughout are vignettes about gynecological history and misconceptions about pregnancy and miscarriages.
By the end of this book, I have a newfound respect and admiration for Knisley.
Ps. If you are not following her on Instagram, you are missing out.
By the end of this book, I have a newfound respect and admiration for Knisley.
Ps. If you are not following her on Instagram, you are missing out.