I really dislike this book, I think that the author have NO idea about any woman, this book in this time is a disgrace.

This is the first graphic novel I've read this year and it's all thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher because femininity is not a topic I'd easily broach in writing because of how diverse our understanding is. What I'm certain of is that any woman who reads this novel will relate to one or two or all the characters because we've experienced what they experience at some point in life.
I applaud the author for tackling a topic that we should be talking about. There are written works and discussions about hair, the vagina, uterus, lips, female body shape but very little about our buttocks- and no, I am not referring to trap music or hip hop with all the video vixens. I'll be on the lookout for Olivier's works, this was certainly thought provoking.

The title of this collection of short stories is the first thing that is lost in the translation of this French collection. I'm not sure why it is called "Fragment of Femininity" in the English version. If anything, it insults the stories themselves. The original edition, was called <em>Dessein</em>, Intention, which actually makes more sense, as each of these stories is about what the woman intends to do.

Now granted, the thing that she intends to do has to do with her breasts, but then again, this is a steries of short stories written by a French man, so what do I expect.

The first story in the collection almost made me stop reading. The second, not much better. The third, really. If not for the last two of three stories, I would have rated this collection much much lower. I mean, really, killing your cheating husband with with breasts? Give me a break.

The first of the two that I liked involved a woman who was having a radical mosectomy, so decides to pose as a model one last time before she has her breasts removed, and asks the artists for their drawings, so she can see how she used to look. Not that I know any women who would do that, but the thought was sort of sweet.

The last story, about a woman who sells bras and panties to the women in town, and listens to them, and makes them feel feminine, was again, sweet, but rather odd. I am not that much into lacy bras, but perhaps there are women out there who are, and find it gratifying to wear them.

But, mostly this book is an excuse to see women shirtless.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

“This is a collection of portraits of 7 women, of all different ages, backgrounds, circumstances and eras. Each one of them is facing a defining moment in her life. They are bound together by the symbol of their femininity: their breasts.”

I’m not how else I can summarize this and that’s part of my problem with this book.
I seriously hate the social construct that is “femininity” and their breasts?! Really?!
And of course, this was written by a man.
The women in it made no sense, the stories had no satisfying ending and it just seemed wrong on so many levels.
I was and am very annoyed with this book.
However, I was excpecting it to be much worse.

**thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.
This was a quick simple short graphic novel. It was an unusual topic, woman's breasts, so I was a bit unsure how I'd feel about this but it turned out to be rather good, especially Faiths heartfelt story. This collection is based on 7 different woman's point of views and their own personal story. Some are rather intimate but not in an overly graphic way. Still, by saying that, I'd be careful what age group this was for as there is nudity. A really good book and would recommend if your looking for something a bit different.

I said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to read more graphic novels and I've stumbled upon some great ones on Netgalley. I have to say that this is one of my favourites though! Women's breasts are such a taboo subject, and honestly, it's a real shame. They are a natural part of the life cycle after all and should never be considered 'disgusting', 'offensive' or 'rude'. They are more than just the object of sexual desire, they are a beautiful, liberating part of a woman's body that have actual purpose. These little story snapshots did a wonderful job of illustrating that.

My favourite story was Faith's, deeply touching and sad but empowering at the same time. That's what all of these stories are really, they perfectly encapsulate how breasts make us feel. They can be sources of frustration and insecurity, but also allow us to express ourselves. All the stories here were deeply powerful and different too. I loved the diversity in Pont's art, and Croix's colouring was perfect in each panel. There was room here, I feel, for a story on motherhood and the role of breastfeeding in that instance. I'd have liked to have seen something on that particular subject as it's something I feel strongly about. That being said, this contained some gorgeous illustrations and it's good to see more work like this on taboo topics!

Was not a fan of the artwork, liked the colors used throughout.
Seven stories about feminism with different women, all relayed from the exterior lens of a man.
I was not a big fan of this work.
Not recommended.

Short stories about different women, and what it means to be a strong and feminine woman in the world.
From a 1960's housewife who finds the courage to leave her stifling and un-loving husband to the cancer survivor who takes her empowerment into her own hands these stories cover a huge variety of women in such a short span. I really loved the way the stories were told, and the beautiful art was a great enhancement.

I wasn't so sure about it at first.
I think the themes and ideas are strong. I love how it surrounds breasts. But I think a lot of the stories were developed around a certain concept and didn't develop to be a story that is complete on it's own. It just remains a vessel for the idea.
I would give this a 3 stars but the last heart warming one took me by surprise.

To be honest, I didn’t make it past the first story: mean girls and lots of big, gratuitous breasts. Not at all what I was hoping for.

I really had a difficult time connecting with this one. I was really looking forward to it and I can't help but feel let down. This ended up just being average.