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moonyreadsbystarlight's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
There is so much in this one little graphic novel. Taking Turns by MK Czerwiec is the story of an HIV/AIDS unit in Chicago, but it's also a memoir, in parts it is an oral history, and also an exploration of grief and death.
This was such a powerful book in so many ways. Of course each person's story has a power in its own right, but there is a lot more beyond that. This hospital was unique in how it embraced care of the whole patient, altering assumptions about carer/patient relationships, and focusing more on mental well-being. It's so radically different from how care is done in most health practices and seeing that by itself was incredible. Another big take-away for me was the discussion of grief, how she handled her emotions through art and some of the conversations she had with others.
There was so much of this that struck me as someone who has been trying to read deeply about this time period, but also on a personal level. I also think this lays out quite a bit about what AIDS is and the timeline of AIDS in the US in a really helpful way. I highly recommend this for anyone, but I especially think that it's good for those who are just starting to learn about the AIDS epidemic.
This was such a powerful book in so many ways. Of course each person's story has a power in its own right, but there is a lot more beyond that. This hospital was unique in how it embraced care of the whole patient, altering assumptions about carer/patient relationships, and focusing more on mental well-being. It's so radically different from how care is done in most health practices and seeing that by itself was incredible. Another big take-away for me was the discussion of grief, how she handled her emotions through art and some of the conversations she had with others.
There was so much of this that struck me as someone who has been trying to read deeply about this time period, but also on a personal level. I also think this lays out quite a bit about what AIDS is and the timeline of AIDS in the US in a really helpful way. I highly recommend this for anyone, but I especially think that it's good for those who are just starting to learn about the AIDS epidemic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Cancer, Death, Chronic illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Blood
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