Kimiko Does Cancer
A Graphic Memoir
Description
A moving and honest graphic memoir about the unexpected cancer journey of a young, queer, mixed-race woman. With tender illustrations by Keet Geniza, Kimiko Does Cancer is a book that upends the traditional cancer narrative from a young woman’s perspective.
Awards
- Winner, Joe Shuster Award for Best Writer 2022
- Short-listed, Joe Shuster Award for Best Artist 2022
Reviews
The best graphic novel autobiographies provide insight into the lives of remarkable people and Kimiko Tobimatsu's story, complemented by the highly skilled art of Keet Geniza, is a particularly special privilege for us. -Toronto Star
Giving readers a vivid glimpse of cancer as a deeply emotional, interior experience, Tobimatsu and Geniza create a non-linear story of recovery that is funny, lively, and full of honest self-reflection. -Plenitude Magazine
An engaging and inspirational account of dealing with illness and its perception. -Kirkus Reviews
With honesty, humility, and humour, Kimiko Does Cancer challenges cliches and what we think we know about being diagnosed with and treated for cancer. A triumph! -MK Czerwiec, author of Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371
This is an important and insightful cancer memoir that does not try to laugh off the suffering and anguish that a cancer diagnosis brings. Aided by Keet Geniza's compelling illustrations, Kimiko brings an original queer perspective to the genre, dealing with issues of masculinity, body image, reproduction, identity and self-worth, raising questions that this reader had not previously considered. Excellent! -Ian Williams, author of The Bad Doctor
Beautifully drawn and candidly told, Kimiko Does Cancer asks important questions about how to move forward when you've seemingly beaten cancer, yet it continues to affect every part of your life - from your body and self-image to your relationships and sense of purpose. Kimiko leads us, with openness and vulnerability, on a cancer journey focused less on survival and more on how best to live while staying true to herself. -Teresa Wong, author of Dear Scarlet
Candidly written and lovingly illustrated, this graphic novel details the author's fight against breast cancer as a 25-year-old queer woman. As much a critique on the mainstream cancer movement as it is a tome on finding one's own way through, this is a perspective on the journey rarely seen in print. -Ms. Magazine
Geniza's expressive figure drawings show a keen eye for the close-up, with a simple color palate of muted blues, blacks, and grays that call to mind Alison Bechdel's Fun Home. Kimiko's strong debut offers a fresh perspective in the growing graphic medicine category. -Publishers Weekly
A frank and moving look at what it means to have cancer, and how your life can change once you become a cancer survivor. -CBC Books ("Best Canadian Comics of 2020")