Review by Frank Plowright

Despite all the progress in modern medicine there’s less inclination to develop solutions for women’s health problems than there is for men’s, while in many cultures some subjects remain relatively taboo. Among them are women’s periods, miscarriages and mental health, and How Are You Feeling? presents extended narratives on all three, with the foundation being Asian culture from a publisher based in Singapore.

For any book subtitled A Comics Anthology, the normal expectation would be of more than three contributions. On the other hand, the comparative lack of strips means each of the three stories has room to develop themes and offer more practical advice for readers who might not otherwise have access to information.

Andeasyand relates half a dozen women’s experiences with their period in ‘A Drip. A Drop. A Deluge.’, starting with her own youth. In common with much of what follows, it’s likely to be eye-opening particularly for male readers discovering the variations in effect and methods of coping. One woman has a route home memorised where stopovers are available if required, and another relates how there’s no relief from uncomfortable symptoms after menopause, but mental alertness is restored. Andeasyand’s naive illustration works to unite different experiences, and reaches a peak with the sample art illustration of one woman’s moods over a month, a brilliantly simple idea conveying so much.

‘Bearing Witness’ features writer Vinita Ramani noting 20% of a quarter of all pregnancies result in miscarriage, with the actual figure believed to be much higher, but unverifiable as it occurs so early. She then bravely recounts her own experience after becoming pregnant for a second time at 42 over six brief chapters. Illustrated by Griselda in a naturalistic style, Ramani notes the fears associated with a second child, and the horrors of having to go through the induced birth of a child she’s told has died nineteen weeks into pregnancy. It’s sad and very moving in relating a grim process.

Nurjannah Suhaimi takes a more expressionistic approach in illustrating ‘Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health’. Wayne Rée’s story begins with depression, but also encompasses other conditions in a monologue, deliberately disjointed to reflect some of them. It’s a request for understanding, which we can all take on board, and notes the lack of an easy fix, but is the weakest of the three inclusions for never moving beyond the massively broad category of mental illness to any specifics. However, as the story notes, if it opens a conversation, that’s a good thing.

Graphic Medicine is a continually enlarging genre, and open discussion about all three topics is certainly worthwhile for everyone. Here they’re presented in an accessible, engaging and informative manner, enabling those conversations to begin.