About the Book
-
Author:
- Maria Sweeney
- Genres:
- Graphic Novels
- Memoir / Biography
- Voices:
- Cis Girl
- Moldovan Diaspora
Cover Story: Into the Woods
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Pain and Pleasure
Arty Art: Moody
Bonus Factor: Loyal Pet
Anti-Bonus Factor: The US Healthcare System
Relationship Status: Can I Hug You?
Content Warning: Brittle Joints features references to opioid addiction, examples of marijuana use, mentions of hospitals, surgeries, and a debilitating genetic disease, and feelings of despair.
Cover Story: Into the Woods
As a memoir, it’s probably obvious to say that the woman on the cover is the author and illustrator. The illustration doesn’t look exactly like Sweeney, but the expression in her eyes is filled with pain and anguish, which are (unfortunately) main themes of the story.
The Deal:
Maria Sweeney was born with Bruck syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes bone fragility and frequent fractures and a myriad of joint issues. Her disability has gotten worse over time, leading to many surgeries, many trial runs of different drugs to ease her pain, cane and wheelchair use, and nerve damage throughout her body. It’s a disability that causes folks to stare, and causes Maria to worry about being a burden to others.
BFF Charm: Yay
I can’t even begin to understand what Sweeney has gone through in her life both because of her disability and her treatment at the hands of oblivious, ableist, and even downright rude, people. I’d love to be a part of her support system, to make her life better in any way I could.I would never want her to feel like I was being her friend out of pity, though, so I’d really have to work on checking my unconscious privilege and unintended ableism. I feel like she could teach me a lot—or, make myself do the work to be a better human.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Maria’s boyfriend Eros is a minor character, but she wrote/illustrated such love into him. It’s clear that he is/was a fantastic person and partner.
Talky Talk: Pain and Pleasure
Brittle Joints is a lonely, heart-wrenching look at a life filled with suffering. Sweeney pulls no punches when describing her disability and all that comes with it and a sense of pain fills every thought bubble and dialogue. My only complaint is that the book feels unfinished; it meanders through Sweeney’s life, but never comes to a satisfactory resolution. I know this can be hard in a memoir, especially if the subject is still living and changing, but I would have preferred some sort of wrap-up, rather than the abrupt end.
Arty Art: Sketchy
Page via Street Noise Books
Sweeney’s art is loose and filled with muted colors; reading the book almost feels like a dissociation in itself, which is very fitting to the content. She also fills every page with emotion. I teared up while reading.
Bonus Factor: Bambi
Sweeney’s dog Bambi plays an important supporting role in the book. Such a sweet little thing!
Anti-Bonus Factor: The US Healthcare System
Anyone who’s ever had anything to do with the American healthcare system knows that it’s a broken and unhelpful mess. For folks like Sweeney, it’s even worse. The hoops she had/has to jump through, just to reach a semi-decent quality of life, are so large and so terrible. My heart breaks that something that is meant to help people can cause people such harm.
Relationship Status: Can I Hug You?
You haven’t had an easy life, Book, although you certainly don’t need to be told that. I would love to give you a gentle squeeze, if you’re amenable. And then I want to know what I can do to help.
Literary Matchmaking
Craig Thompson’s Blankets is another autobiographical graphic novel that is, at times, hard to read.
ND Stevenson’s The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir in Pictures is another touching memoir about someone who doesn’t fit into society’s strict mold.
Although not a memoir and definitely fictional, Son M. and Robin Yao’s Thief of the Heights is a graphic novel that focuses on folks with disabilities.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Street Noise Books, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Brittle Joints is available now.
P.S.—Happy 5th Anniversary to Street Noise Books! Here’s to many more.
