A Fine Withering

by Gladys Ochoa

Julie Maggi’s A Fine Withering explores the grief, the challenges and the recovery that come with a hysterectomy. While researching the procedure, she concludes that although a common surgery, hysterectomies are not discussed publicly. The lack of personal stories available lead the author to write about her experience.

The story begins with the diagnosis of a large myoma that requires a hysterectomy to remove the myoma. The author, although recently coming to terms with not having children, finds herself conflicted on the news. A part of her had foreseen this with the way her body had behaved, and yet when coming to terms with the inevitable loss, she grieves.

After the surgery, anxiety and fears plague her. Through her love of art, she quells the anxiety and finds a community. Creating a support group through her social media even at the cost of losing followers. This exchange proves beneficial as she is able to find comradery with others and advice she otherwise could not find. Her support network ultimately is what helps her overcome her fears and process her grieving.

The illustrations are by the author and help divide chapters for easier reading. The watercolors of each illustration are well designed, with nature surrounding the constant figure of a woman draped in a sheer gown. The gown of the illustrated figure is similar to the one the author describes wearing before surgery. The atmosphere of the illustrations gives off a content, melancholy hope that matches the writing.

Throughout the illustrated novel, the author encounters different microaggressions that reflect how society deems women through their ability to give birth. Often having her loss defined by strangers as unimportant, a silver lining to never having kids, or ignored. Ultimately, she overcomes microaggression and defines her worth as a woman. Finding herself through her statement “I am losing an organ, not my entire existence [pg. 39].” Defining womanhood beyond child rearing. Her journey in the book provides an accessible reading experience and a welcome written account on healing.

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Gladys Ochoa is the Museum Associate at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, CA. She enjoys reading Graphic Novels, Comics, Zines, Manga and Webcomics. Her latest creative endeavor “Ribbons of Thought” (on Tapas and Webtoons) is about a hamster and chihuahua finding healing through stories about anxiety and depression.