At first glance I was intrigued by the simple yet stylized illustrations and the overall easiness in which my eyes rolled from one animated box to the next. I was intrigued enough to carry on. It breaks down like this–Aline is the first “character” of many (one for every letter in the alphabet; Bernadette, Catherine etc…all of whom are women). Each story is in itself a unique interpretation and portrayal of some of the struggles, sacrifices and sorrows of the feminine plight. While there are some interesting comical depictions of the more common circumstances women face and deal with daily I was left with the notion that there are far too many letters in the alphabet (and thusly characters) for one man to surmise what his idea of what being a woman truly means. (Jeff Concannon)
$12.95, 72 pgs, Drawn & Quarterly, P.O.Box 48056, Montréal, QC, H2V 4S8, drawnandquarterly.com