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Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story (2013)

by Peter Bagge(Favorite Author)

3.92 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1770461264 (ISBN13: 9781770461260)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Drawn and Quarterly

review 1: Lovely book! Bagge's art style may put some people off, using such extremely cartoony figures to deal with such a serious subject. It works very well though, and those of us familiar with his past work know that he's no stranger to drama and journalism when the story calls for it. I don't know much about Sanger's life. Before reading this book, I'd vaguely been aware of her as a historical figure, though whether I would have recalled any connection with Planned Parenthood I've no idea. After reading this book, I'm impressed with her tenacity and willingness to do the right thing no matter the cost. Bagge includes an extensive section of notes at the end, giving his sources and relevant details about his storytelling choices. From his comments, I gather that his portr... moreayal of Sanger is more sympathetic than some, but it all rings true as far as I can tell. Excellent book!
review 2: With opposition to contraception in the news once again, I thought I would read this graphic novel about the original American birth control advocate and founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger (1879-1966). The author of this warts-and-all biography does a great job of depicting Sanger as she was--a difficult person to get along with, absolutely single-minded in her devotion to her cause--while debunking many of the myths that have surrounded her, such as that she was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a supporter of eugenics, a racist, an anti-Semite, etc. It is surprisingly comprehensive for a comic book. In lieu of endnotes, the author includes 18 pages of small print containing facts, explanations, and photos that expand on the often controversial aspects of Sanger's life, including her own practice of free love. Sanger believed that birth control was the only way a woman could control her own life and health. An opponent of abortion, she believed that birth control would prevent the need for them. Her mother's 18 pregnancies in 25 years (only 10 children of which survived to adulthood) offered all the evidence for birth control that Sanger needed, but her early work as a nurse in New York slums--where she saw many botched abortions and families who had too many children to care for--added to her convictions. In her long and well-connected life, she not only sought out (and publicized, against the law) the latest methods of contraception at the time, but was actually involved to some extent in the development of The Pill. Interestingly, the same groups that currently oppose contraception are the ones that opposed her at the turn of the last century. A very interesting read. less

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