I think everyone should read this book, but especially those working within women’s units or gynaecology services. This graphic novel, based on a best selling novel I believe, follows Jean. Jean is a medical student with her heart set on surgical gynaecology but who must spend 6 months residency in a gynaecology clinic instead. What does this mean? Well it means not a scalpel is in sight, and instead Jean must be the listening ear and shoulder to cry on for hundreds of women coming into the clinic.

Needless to say, this is not Jean’s idea of a fun time. Shadowing Dr Karma, a doctor with very different ideas to her, she finds herself spending more time rolling her eyes than making “useful” diagnoses, but she’s stuck. That is until he offers her a deal - spend one week trying out his way of doing things and if she still hates it, he’ll let her go and sign her off for the full residency.

It’s a fantastic journey to be honest. Not just for Jean, but for the reader. We encounter lots of women, but also some ideas about how medical professionals should treat them which, whilst not revolutionary, absolutely need listening to more often than they are.

A really great graphic novel, covering ideas such as gender, preferences, identity and women’s health. My only complaint is that I felt Jean’s family story was a little bit lost in the wider message and didn’t serve too much of a purpose.

Regardless, I highly recommend you give this a read.

ARC provided from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Women come in all shapes, sizes and experiences. The main character's genitalia come into play with her experience as a medical student within the obgyn rotation.

Some of the subjects may upset or trigger some. The typeface is extremely small and makes reading hard. The art is amazing, I expect nothing less from Europe comics. A great read.

I received a copy of this graphic book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The graphic novel is based on a novel by Martin Winckler that I have not heard about before. But judging by the graphic novel it’s worth reading! 😉
Touching the subjects of gynaecology, bedside manners and intersex, it’s a great book to read for everyone. I would recommend it especially to every gynaecologist out there because lately I have realised that we have a big problem with doctors being condescending and making the unpleasant experience of gynaecological checkup even more disturbing. We as humans could do better, so we should do better!🙂🙂
In my opinion it’s a must read to every woman, not only gynaecologists, because perhaps then it wouldn’t be a given that a doctor knows best and thus is allowed to be unprofessional and cruel. Demand more, speak up against awful behaviour!😶

Wow! Just wow!

It's been a while since the last time I felt about a book that this is something everyone should read. Read, and look at the pictures, and then understand.

This is a graphic novel adaptation of a story I had not heard of before. The story is centered around Jean, a young doctor, her personal and professional struggles, women's health, gender issues and the difference between doctors and healers.

Aude Mermilliod's cartoon universe is so great and addictive that you cannot stop reading. Expect to do it in one go.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for an Advance Review Copy.

Woooow I loved this graphic novel! I didn't know the novel but may put it in my to-read list now! Such an inspiring story and I am glad women's health is being portrayed in fiction like this.

ARC copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

At the end of A Woman's Voice, I started crying - it was very touching and moved me deeply. The story of Jean and Dr. Karma was very enlightening and I learned a lot about intersex, gynecology, and how treatment could just overall be better in that area. The style of the comic was just up my alley, and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it to everyone who would like to get more information about women's health, intersex, and the complexity of sexuality and taboo. Magnificent!

"A Woman's Voice" is a much needed, very emotional story! Even though the story itself was a bit predictable, the storyline and all the ways it was delivered certainly make up for it.

In my opinion, anyone who ever experienced the reality of doctor's office, with all its power imbalance and lack of empathy, will see it reflected in this story. Reading "A Woman's Voice" was an enlightening experience, especially that it centralises intersexuality, which is still highly misunderstood and causes people to be treated very poorly. This is also a story about hope that things within the medical environment could be done different.

With its complex characters, sensitivity and flagging important issues without being didactic, "A Woman's Voice" definitely deserves 5 stars.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

F, I am just crying right now. Those last pages were an emotion rollercoaster in which we find out so many things, all the things get connected. I just broke. That was just heartbreaking. The rest of the book was wonderful, an unique look at gynaecology and what could change. How we should treat women during pregnancy and other parts of their life. I wasn't a fan of Jean for about 50% of the book so that is why I am rating this a bit lower. How she acted around the patients. LORD, girl, I just wanted to punch her (and that says a lot as I don't like violence). She was rude, smirked, sneered, and at times couldn't control her mouth. I just was so pissed. I am glad that as the story goes on she mellows and learns other ways, but for 50% of the book I considered just dropping the book. Despite it being very interesting, heartbreaking, and well written. I loved that we got some more backstory on some patients and also on Jean and her being intersex.
Art was pretty good!

Mature and graphic content. Story takes place in France which is important to understand when reading this. The story has a lot of good information and points about medicine and how patients should be treated, especially gynecological patients. This book definitely needs a cautionary note on it that there’s graphic content of a sexual nature throughout. Fairly good book overall.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Woman's Voice by Aude Mermilliod and Martin Winckler is a LGTBQ-friendly graphic novel adaptation of a literary novel. The story revolves around Jean, a medical student studying gynecology. She wants to be performing surgeries. Instead, she's been sent to a different department in order to "work on her bedside manner." She doesn't appreciate having to listen to women talk about their problems. But with time, will Jean realize that women's stories are worth listening to? According to the synopsis, this book is a "modern classic of a revolution in women’s medical care."

Overall, A Woman's Voice is a great graphic novel that I'm sure would make a great gift for any med school student! One highlight of this book is the excellent artwork. It is slightly cartoonish and reminded me of the artwork in Scholastic graphic novels like The Babysitter's Club or the works of Gene Luen Yang. This book is definitely aimed at adults though, which can be seen in the graphic, traumatic stories of the women, which include sexual abuse. I took off 2 stars, because I don't typically enjoy books with a lot of nudity and sexual content. I understand that it was essential to the story though. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of stories about doctors, you can check out this book, which is available now!