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A review by buer
Fine: A Comic About Gender by Rhea Ewing
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Fine is partly a gender-journey memoir by author Rhea Ewing and partly a recounting of interviews Ewing did with several individuals over several years time regarding their relationships with gender and identity. The memoir portions give Fine just enough shape that it feels like it has a structure aside from a bunch of interviews addressing specific subjects like femininity, masculinity, race, healthcare, relationships, and more.
A ton of research and time went into this book and the diversity of perspectives is both impressive and informative. Ewing's ability to put together such a cohesive, concise book out of so many years of interviews with so many people is truly impressive. I also found their struggle with belonging and concern about taking up space that doesn't belong to you to be relatable and well-stated.
The art in Fine is functional, leaning heavily into realistic rather than cartoonish stylings, which makes a lot of sense. This is definitely a series where knowing what the people look like is a huge part of understanding their stories. That said, my favorite panels were the ones where Ewing got a little silly, like the "Very Anonymous" interviewee who Ewing portrayed as a person with a large paper bag with sunglasses drawn on it.
It took me a lot longer to finish this book than I expected. I usually blaze through graphic novels and memoirs, but the interview style of Fine had me taking my time. It is also over 300 pages long in spite of feeling pretty slim in your hand.
If I'm being completely honest, I was a little baffled by Ewing's choice to 1) use their partner's old name in the comic and 2) tell us in that first introduction that this choice was with their partner's permission and what name their partner goes by now. HOWEVER if I'm being a little personal...most of my family still calls me by my old name because that feels better for me. So although I found it a little weird I also fully acknowledge that people approach their names in deeply personal and sometimes outwardly confusing ways.
I would recommend this book for anyone on a gender journey (or close to someone who is), people who like alternative comics, and anyone who wants to get a broad angle view of a deeply personal experience.
A ton of research and time went into this book and the diversity of perspectives is both impressive and informative. Ewing's ability to put together such a cohesive, concise book out of so many years of interviews with so many people is truly impressive. I also found their struggle with belonging and concern about taking up space that doesn't belong to you to be relatable and well-stated.
The art in Fine is functional, leaning heavily into realistic rather than cartoonish stylings, which makes a lot of sense. This is definitely a series where knowing what the people look like is a huge part of understanding their stories. That said, my favorite panels were the ones where Ewing got a little silly, like the "Very Anonymous" interviewee who Ewing portrayed as a person with a large paper bag with sunglasses drawn on it.
It took me a lot longer to finish this book than I expected. I usually blaze through graphic novels and memoirs, but the interview style of Fine had me taking my time. It is also over 300 pages long in spite of feeling pretty slim in your hand.
If I'm being completely honest, I was a little baffled by Ewing's choice to 1) use their partner's old name in the comic and 2) tell us in that first introduction that this choice was with their partner's permission and what name their partner goes by now. HOWEVER if I'm being a little personal...most of my family still calls me by my old name because that feels better for me. So although I found it a little weird I also fully acknowledge that people approach their names in deeply personal and sometimes outwardly confusing ways.
I would recommend this book for anyone on a gender journey (or close to someone who is), people who like alternative comics, and anyone who wants to get a broad angle view of a deeply personal experience.