08/10/2015
"Stories about abortions lack a calm voice that lets women know that everything is going to be okay. That’s why Leah Hayes wrote Not Funny Ha-Ha , a non-fiction graphic novel that takes the unnecessary mystery and fear out of [the] procedure..."
MTV News - Katherine Speller
"...Leah Hayes’s straightforward take on the issue of choice and abortion could be titled 'most sadly necessary graphic novel of 2015.' She tells the story of two women from different cultural backgrounds exercising their legal right to reproductive healthcare, with a mind toward dispelling the mystery, mythology, judgment and loneliness that accompanies the process. That task requires a touch that is simultaneously light and assured; Hayes delivers."
Ten Best Graphic Novels of 2015 - Forbes - Rob Salkowitz
"The content is straightforward, and yet it has a forbidden, samizdat feel to it. No matter where you stand on abortion, the thought of a scared, pregnant teen getting her hands on Not Funny is bound to provoke an intense reaction — of fear, rage, empowerment or overwhelming relief. Which is, well, funny, considering Hayes' efforts to approach the subject with as little drama as possible. Her tone, like her design, is casual and friendly. ...Hayes accomplishes this radical shift by making the most of her innate warmth and humility."
NPR Books - Etelka Lehoczky
"Judgment-free, but still witty and brutally honest enough to demystify the topic."
Ravishly - Chris Huqueriza
"Reading this book is like sitting down with your cool older sister and having her assuringly and frankly explain a really tough situation you’re facing, and then convince you that you're going to get through it and be okay. Intimate and kind, straightforward and informative, Leah Hayes clarifies and personalizes the clinical experience a woman can expect when she decides to have an abortion. Even more impressive, the author makes the story a compelling read, with charming artwork and humor."
"Leah Hayes' book is simply astounding! This abortion handbook should be a staple in every sex ed class throughout the country. But what's most remarkable is Hayes' non-political, commonsense, and compassionate approach to abortion. ...[I]t's human, humane, and full of information that every person should have and many try to deny people from having. This is the rare book that is bigger than the sum of its parts."
Largehearted Boy - Benn Ray
"The book explains medical jargon and breaks down the physical process of having a termination, while still offering a very human portrayal of the experience."
Cosmopolitan - Natasha Preskey
"It’s hard to remain neutral when discussing abortion, but Hayes’ repeated caveats (I’m just a cartoonist; talk to your doctor about anything; this is just informational) do their damnedest to situate her work outside politics and religion. That’s a noble goal."
"It’s not only a beautifully-made and well-actualized book, but it’s also probably the most accessible and relaxed, while still being frank, discussion about abortion that I’ve ever seen…. It feels like Hayes is giving you a reassuring hug and a warm cup of tea and then calmly talking you through what your next few days or weeks are going to be like… Overall, Not Funny Ha-Ha is a tender, educational and comforting look at a process that people are often afraid to talk about in such an open and non-judgmental way. It’s also got just the perfect amount of irreverence and lightness, which are pretty necessary when taking on a subject that can be so heavy."
Autostraddle - Mey Valdivia Rude
"With clarity and compassion, she walks readers through the emotions and medical decisions involved in having an abortion. ... The drawings throughout are affecting and vulnerable... Hayes’s bunched and slanted lettering is as tenderly expressive as her portraiture – every mark of her hand is set to paper with pure empathy. This book is sure to be a comfort and friend to women who need it for years to come."
The Globe and Mail - Sean Rogers
"In a powerful new illustrated book, Not Funny Ha-Ha , writer and artist Leah Hayes sheds light on what it’s like to get an abortion. As the title makes clear, this comic is not funny. But it is insightful, empathetic, and educational. ...[T]his book would be a welcome addition to Planned Parenthood waiting rooms and high school sex-ed classes. I also think it could help readers of all stripes learn about abortion through a non-judgmental lens..."
"I want everyone who is having, has had, or is considering abortion to have this book. I want everyone who is close to someone who has had, is having or is considering abortion to have this book. I want anyone who feels like they just don’t or can’t understand what it’s like to go forward with, or even think about, abortion as an option to have this book. Really, I just want everyone to have this book, period."
Heather Corinna (Founder and Director
"It’s easy to imagine the book becoming a kind of hand-me-down classic to teen girls; it’s easy to forget that a book this seemingly simple has to be made with impeccable care and craft."
The 10 Best Comics of 2015 - Slate - Dan Kois
"Upfront, conversational and helpful, breaking down medical terminology into easy to absorb language; the graphic novel format lends itself to the comforting tone of the book…like an open, warm conversation about something potentially hard and scary."
Salon - Rachel Kramer Bussel
"[Hayes] takes the reader, step by step, through different aspects of the procedure, covering everything from the confused emotional feelings that can accompany the decision to abort, to what a woman might expect at the doctor's office before, after and during an abortion. ... The book, in parts, almost feels like a personal note, from one woman to another."
Los Angeles Times - Carolina A. Miranda
"Hayes’ bold and even courageous book looks set to be one of the most important and practical additions to the canon so far."
Broken Frontier - Tom Murphy
"Hayes takes care to tell the story from two points of view, highlighting different procedures in different circumstances, while paying close attention to the processes that often get left out of broader discussions."
"Hayes’ illustrations are straightforward and witty. She defines technical terms and medical processes, while still managing to capture the deeply personal, human side of the reproductive decisions a woman makes."
The Huffington Post - Nina Friend
"Leah Hayes... uses drawing as a medium to express complicated concepts and understand difficult experiences. In... Not Funny Ha-Ha: A Handbook for Something Hard , Hayes illustrates the realities of medical and surgical abortions. ... Hayes covers the technical and medical aspects of abortion as well as the deeply personal thoughts and steps that many people go through."
"[Starred Review ] The sketchy, loose illustrations, lacking realism but heavy with feeling, help soften the serious topic. Lots of text, slanted and personal, provides explanation, and Hayes also offers quiet spreads with opportunity for reflection. ... As the subtitle implies, this 'handbook' could be a useful companion for women in the protagonists’ situation: it’s full of reminders to keep breathing, be calm, and call a friend, and of what to expect. ...[F]or those readers open, curious, or seeking some guidance, it’s deeply empathetic, uniquely unflinching, and unlike any book on the topic, particularly with regards to its gentle presentation."
03/15/2016
