'The Story of My Tits' review

Illustrator Jennifer Hayden’s debut graphic memoir, The Story of My Tits, will be released October 13, 2015 by Top Shelf Productions. Though it is her first published book, she has done freelance illustrating in children’s books, magazines, advertising, and education materials.

The Story of My Tits is about Hayden’s relationship with breasts. As a breast cancer survivor, Hayden explains the anticipation, joys, and fears of having breasts. Her memoir reveals the strength women have, the pain they suffer, and the obstacles they overcome after being diagnosed with the deadly disease. It begins with Hayden as a young lady who dreams of having breasts.

She grows up believing that breasts make women feminine and are the main attraction for the opposite sex. By college she has small breasts that do seem to reel in men, but then her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. The extreme contrast between the delight and pride Hayden finds in having breasts and the fear and disfigurement her mother is left with after having a breast removed is presented as a show-and-tell story that allows the reader to empathize with those who must witness a loved one in a frightening and potentially fatal situation.

Later, when Hayden eventually marries and her breasts grow as a result of having children, she finds that her life no longer focuses on her chest; however her attention returns to them when she goes in for an annual mammogram and cancer cells are discovered. She opts to remove both breasts and experiences all of the fear, humiliation, regret, and stresses that accompany a diagnoses of a deadly disease.

There are several comedic moments and inevitably tragic, yet touching, scenes. Hayden maintains an optimistically humorous tone which is reflected in the panels she illustrates through the use of a bird that serves as Hayden’s conscience. Hayden’s graphic memoir touches the heart and can be appreciated by both men and women. People who read The Story of My Tits can appreciate the emotion that accompanies a cancer diagnoses and will definitely empathize with the family, who can only provide support.

I give The Story of My Tits 4.5/5 stars for the positivity and strength women are able to find within themselves in the midst of terrifying and tragic times, the two-sided perspective, and for the impressive illustrations. As amazing as the memoir is, it fails to earn 5 stars because it wraps up solidly, leaving no room for unanswered questions or further thought.