Monday, April 22, 2019

Kid Gloves

Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos
by Lucy Knisley
First Second Books, 2019. 248 pgs. Nonfiction Graphic Novel.

Lucy Knisley had always wanted to be a mother. But when it came time to get pregnant, it turned out to be a little harder than she’d thought it would be. First, she had a miscarriage. Then, she had another one. When she finally did have a successful pregnancy, there were many health complications ending with a very dramatic labor and delivery.

This is such a great book about pregnancy. The author weaves her own personal experiences with sections detailing the history of obstetrics and gynecology. In addition, she debunks common myths and misconceptions regarding conception and pregnancy in a clear and transparent way. Knisley discusses the facts of pregnancy, the emotions that accompany it, and so much more. By being so raw and open with her personal story, she demystifies a lot of things regarding pregnancy and, I felt, also created a channel for people to discuss experiences with miscarriages. This graphic novel is great for anyone who has been pregnant, currently is pregnant, or hopes to be pregnant sometime in the future. It is also a good resource for anyone who just wants to learn more about conception and pregnancy.

AU

1 comment:

Melinda said...

I'm a big fan of Lucy Knisley and was really excited for KID GLOVES. She doesn't shy away from talking about complicated life transitions, and stories like this told openly and honestly are so important. Fertility is a sore subject for many women, many who suffer in silence, and Knisley addresses this pain in a way that is validating and for readers without children (like myself), informative and relatable. The sections that really shine are the historical vignettes! Medical history can be gnarly and hard to talk about, but she manages to make it hilarious.
MW