I'm a big believer in bibliotherapy. It doesn't mend broken bones, or cure mental illness, but sometimes reading the right book at the right time offers us comfort and understanding in a way that other people aren't able to. Not Funny Ha-Ha is an illustrated story which gives the reader a glimpse into the turbulent decision to end pregnancy.
I didn't want to say it's a graphic novel because I do not want anyone to interpret the word 'graphic' wrongly. This book is not about the medical/surgical procedure. This book is not about anyone's political agenda or religious beliefs. This book is not about justifying any woman's decision.
This book is about the unimaginably painful and turbulent decision-making process about making the decision. This book is about finding a support system. This book is about allowing one's self to grieve, mourn, question, and maybe regret, the decision.
I also don't want anyone reading to think that the title makes a comedy of the decision. The story really isn't funny, and I believe the title is derived from one illustration in which a character is in a clinic waiting room, biding her time watching TV, and the movie Shrek is playing. It's not really funny, but the movie is funny, and it's kind of ironic to have a funny movie playing in a waiting room filled with women who are nervous, solemn, frightened, and sad. Yet because she needs a distraction from her reality, she laughs at the movie.
I think this book treats the topic very sensitively, and would be a good inclusion in a high school library.
If a reader IS seeking some reading material on this topic that is more politically charged, then I'd recommend this one:
Comics for Choice also offers narratives from different women's experiences with abortion, but the comic strips here seemed less about grief and healing, and more about promoting awareness and getting support for political agendas. It's very informative, and it is obviously relevant to Hayes' book, but the books have different tones.
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