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One day a couple of weeks ago I went out to check my mail and found a copy of Cancer Vixen waiting for me. I've been rather curious about this little book. I've heard very differing views on it, from the good, to the bad, to the mocking. Cancer Vixen is a graphic novel based on Marisa Acocella Marchetto's own experience with breast cancer and how she kicked its butt - in 5-inch heels no less. You can click here to see a short promo video for the book.
I liked Cancer Vixen. I thought that it was fun. It reminded me of a bit of chick-lit only instead of a guy there was cancer and she was trying to get rid of rather than get it. The requisite career in media and magazines is there. The main characters the parties where people go see to be seen and is also engaged to one of New York's top restauranteurs. Then weeks before their nuptuals Marchetto is diagnosed with breast cancer. Will her fiance support her? Will be run away? What kind of shoes will she wear to chemo?
Before reading this I had read several books about breast cancer and while they were not bad books (not at all, quite the opposite) they were weighing heavy on my mind. Cancer Vixen is no less serious than any of the books I've already read but the humour allows the reader to think "Ha! Take that cancer!". But it's not all humour. Between the shoes and the night spent on one of New York's hottest restaurants Marchetto asks the big questions. What causes cancer? Did I do anything that caused this? Why me? She calls this the "Cancer Guessing Game". She brings to attention some cancer clusters and some statistics comparing survival rates to economic status and race. I finished the book thinking that Marchetto ended her cancer treatments with the desire to live life slower, fully and with a focus on the positive. It seemed to me that she goes a better sense of herself and those around her.
Not everyone is going to love this book. Not everyone is going to like seeing cancer portrayed with humour. But for those of us who can approach the big and scary things with our sense of humour in tact, this book is refreshing. We are allowed, and even more that than that we are encouraged, to laugh in the face of something scary and serious. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.
Are you blogging about women's health? We invite you to add your link to our list, Blogging Our Health - Breast Cancer and Beyond.
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Image courtesy of the Random House Canada page for Cancer Vixen.
This book was sent to me from a representative of Random House Canada. No payment was received in exchange for this review. The suggested retail price of this book is less than US$ 45, and therefore, in accordance with BlogHer Editorial Guidelines. It will be passed on to another blogger or donated to my local library.
Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.
