Tender is the Soul in Waves by Ingrid Chabbert (illustration) by Carole Maurel

Synopsis

A young woman and her wife’s attempts to have a child unfold in this poetic tale that ebbs and flows like the sea.

After years of difficulty trying to have children, a young couple finally announces their pregnancy, only to have the most joyous day of their lives replaced with one of unexpected heartbreak. Their relationship is put to the test as they forge ahead, working together to rebuild themselves amidst the churning tumult of devastating loss, and ultimately facing the soul-crushing reality that they may never conceive a child of their own.

Based on author Ingrid Chabbert’s own experience, coupled with soft, sometimes dreamlike illustrations by Carole Maurel, Waves is a deeply moving story that poignantly captures a woman’s exploration of her pain in order to rediscover hope. 

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Stats

• 5 out of 5 stars
• Hardcover
• 96 pages
• Expected publication: May 7th 2019 by Archaia (first published February 15th 2017)
• Original Title Écumes
• ISBN1684153468 (ISBN13: 9781684153466)

My Thoughts

We all have that moment where we are storm-tossed sheltered in a proverbial dingy clinging for safety. A moment where we look upon the future, and it seems like nothing more than waves crashing against the boat. Miscarriage, but really infertility in general, is one of those things that can toss you among the crashing waves and cause you to have to find your way back home. It is damaging, brutal, heart wrenching and prompts you to question everything you have ever held dear. It is also one of those things that are rarely discussed but affects so many. In Ingrid Chabbert graphic novel, Waves” she speaks of the before, during, and after of miscarriage and heartbreak after suffering miscarriage. It is poignant and painful, and she broke my heart as she stood in her little boat and faced a future among the crashing ways after a miscarriage. She is fierce in the most real sense of the world, and she broke my damn heart…

This story is a true story of Ingrid Chabbert and her partner’s struggle with infertility, pregnancy, and miscarriage and then the struggle back to the light of life afterward. Anyone at all who has dealt with infertility can tell you how devastating it can be on every aspect of your life. Pregnancy is everywhere from the woman at the grocery store to adds on TV. It is such an important book to write and create because no one wants to talk candidly about it. With pregnancy rates as they are 1 in 10 women are infertile or have problems staying pregnant. This is such a real struggle, and that is 6 million women out there that have to contend with this every day.

No one wants to tell stories like this, it is as if our collective culture thinks something like infertility is a catchable disease like cooties or chicken pox. But Chabbert does, and she tells it beautifully. Not only is it a gripping and emotional read, it is beautifully rendered by Carole Maurel. Each page is done in a kaleidoscope of soft and beautiful colors and the images Maurel created of Chabbert being lost among the sea’s waves are so right and so real.
Readers and people appreciative of graphic novels should read this. She put her heart out there and her journey with this story, and this is an incredible work of art.

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Questions

1. How do you think infertility is portrayed in modern society and media?
2. Do you think there is an associated stigma with infertility and mental health issues resulting from it?

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Procurement

I received this as an eARC from Netgalley and the publisher Archaia in exchange for my open and honest review.

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About the Author

Ingrid Chabbert was born in 1978 in Aveyron and lives today in Carcassonne.
She has been writing since her early childhood, everywhere and on anything. 
She did not study letters but playing with words, talking about life to children is her passion. His very first youth album was released in 2010. 
Since then, nearly thirty titles have been created.