Graphic Novel Review--In Vitro

In Vitro (Humanoids, Life Drawn)
By: William Roy
Translated By: Benjamin Croze

This book, once I saw the description online, I knew I needed to have.  I talked a little bit on my inaugural youtube video about why this book has a personal connection to me.

The number of folks openly discussing fertility issues are on the rise, but it has not always been so.  Infertility is something that is deeply challenging and personal, especially if you are hardwired to have children.  Whenever you are dealing with these issues, it helps to have someone to talk to...but if discussions are mum or you should hide it because of shame, it only makes everything worse.

My wife and I tried for several years, with no success to have children naturally.  We were resolved to have a biological child, or adopt, but we were running into unknown barriers.  There were dozens of doctors appointments to determine if my wife had a blood issue, hormone issue, genetic issue etc. or if I was the source of our challenge.  Several years later, we discovered my wife had a genetic anomaly, and in order for us to have a child, we would have to undergo the laborious process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

William Roy's In Vitro is a very personal account of a husband and wife's quest to have a child, and the hell of dealing with the question of "when are you two going to have kids."  It didn't stick with me at first as odd that this was a book written by a man (since the entire IVF process....shots, hormones, tests etc.) are all driven towards women (aside from the male donation into a cup).  However, it makes sense, when the book gets deeply personal for Roy as he discusses his fertility issues (an extremely low sperm count).

This book really felt like it captured large parts of my life in 2014-15 as we were going through the process for the first time.  All of the appointment, drugs, syringes, hormones etc. Everything had to be scheduled to the T, or the process could have been all for nothing. You start to see the stress impact him, until he discovers he has an ally he could turn to at work for the most important asset anyone in IVF needs, a friendly ear, and well-warranted advice.

This book is compelling, the imagery (of the pile of his family members and elders he has to unpack) is a clever way to explore the mental anguish and baggage those with fertility issues carry around.  But, it is humorous when it needs to be, heartbreaking when mis-steps happen, and the whole time you wonder if Roy and his wife successfully have biological children.  That, I won't spoil.

However, I would like to applaud William Roy for his book, because I believe it either gives validation to those going through IVF who need a relatable account, or if you know someone who is going through the process, it helps you see the world through their eyes (even if all IVF experiences are not created equal.....).  I think this should be something anyone reads, because it helps you see the world through the eyes of folks who aren't equipped with the emotional vocabulary to discuss their fertility issues, and this helps you be a good ally in a time of need!