All Posts Tagged With: "Marian Henley"

By Mary Beth from New York

Graphic Novels aren’t just for kids. It’s a medium that’s been around for many years, some may claim since cave paintings. Although graphics appear as comic book fodder, do not be deceived. While humor abounds, this graphic memoir is an ingenious method for delivering Marian ’s message The Shiniest Jewel; A Family Love Story.

Jewel is a memoir chronicling self-proclaimed “over-the-hill” Henley’s journey to adopt her first child from Russia at the age of 49. Simultaneously, as life seems to heap emotional experiences in the two for one category, Henley’s father undergoes surgery.

Distance separates Henley who lives in Austin, Texas from her parents in Dallas as well as her par amour Rick and her hoping-to-soon-be-adopted son in Vladivostok Russia. Nothing is close. Nor is it straightforward, including conversing with her parents about her decision to adopt late in life as a single mom, who by the way still rents.

It becomes clear the adoption agencies aren’t particularly fond of Henley’s life style and status. The Russians are not too impressed either. All take plenty of time to deliver this news, leaving Henley dangling for close to a year.

The vexing issues are palpable. What’s not so clear to Henley is the manner in which she needs to communicate with her parents. Dad in particular is a conundrum. It is essential for Henley to understand her father’s silent demeanor. She sees her potential child as a potential old man, and conversely her slowly dying father as a once vibrant youth. In unraveling Dad’s life experiences she finds the insight and subsequent strength to share the journey for which she will soon embark.

The Shiniest Jewel is not a how-to-adopt in a foreign country self-help guide. It’s the support group conversation starter found as ink on the page. It’s loving insight for family and friends who want to better understand what it must be like to go through an adoption process. It’s nuggets of information skillfully packed with illustrations that marry to get their point across. Lastly, it’s a realistic view that life delivers in layers, especially when one feels overwhelmed and severely sleep deprived. There are no one-dimensional approaches when seeking life solutions.

The design behind The Shiniest Jewel is for a quick read, without intimidation. Henley’s age should be no deterrent for those older or younger. Accept her wisdom and wit as timeless and whip through this memoir again and again.

Filed under: Reader Submitted Stories • THE SHINIEST JEWEL Advance Reviews

By Dawn from Massachusetts
She Is Too Fond of Books…

For the past few months I’ve been conducting an informal poll of my book-blogging friends; I hadn’t yet read a graphic novel, and wanted to get their recommendations of where to start. It had to be a successful trial, or I was likely to continue to shun the genre. Marian Henley’s graphic memoir, The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story, was the perfect place to start, and I won’t hesitate to suggest it to anyone interested in trying the graphic format.

The Shiniest Jewel is indeed a love story; to Henley’s adopted son, her husband, and her father. The book begins as Henley approaches age 50, and follows her life for the next year or so. In the opening pages, Henley realizes that although she is unsure about committing to marrying her long-term love interest (geographical distance and a 13-year age difference are her concerns), she is certain that she wishes to become a mother.

In her memoir, Henley shares the joys and disappointments that she encounters along the way to the international adoption of her son, William. She meets setbacks and stonewalls, yet she perseveres. In tandem to the story of William’s adoption is the tale of the declining health of her father, Bill. Henley recalls the sacrifices her father has made throughout his life, for his friends and for his family. Bill is a man of few words, but “still waters run deep”, as deep as his love for Henley and her growing family. Sitting by his sickbed, Henley recalls “We didn’t talk much, but then again…we never had. It had taken me years to understand that his silence was not condemnation.”

Henley shares her memoir in the graphic format with narration, dialogue bubbles and clever asides. The accompanying drawings are sweet and poignant, illustrating the emotional rollercoaster Henley rode as she journeyed to complete her family. I enjoyed my first foray into reading full-length graphic works! The Shiniest Jewel is a jewel itself, and would be an appropriate and appreciated gift for an adoptive family.

Marian Henley is the creator of the Maxine! syndicated weekly comic strips. She previously published the graphic novel Maxine! and a collection of comic strips called Laughing Gas: The Best of Maxine. More information about Henley and her work can be found at her website.

Springboard Press is part of the Hachette Book Group; their mission is “to publish quality prescriptive and narrative nonfiction books for…Baby Boomers who are in search of inspiration, entertainment, and reinvention in their lives….[T]hese books…range from memoir and popular culture to beauty, well-being, inspiration, relationships, and career.” General non-fiction appeals to me, I have a strong interest in personal memoir, and who can argue with well-being, inspiration and healthy relationships?!? I’ll look forward to reading other quality books from Springboard (although I’ll stamp my feet and say I was born six months too late to be considered a baby boomer!)

Filed under: Reader Submitted Stories • THE SHINIEST JEWEL Advance Reviews • Uncategorized

By Kathy from South Carolina
Bermudaonion’s Weblog

I received a copy of The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story from Springboard Press today. It was written and illustrated by Marian Henley, who is best known for her Maxine! comics. This book is a graphic memoir and I have to admit that it was not what I was expecting. It intrigued me, though, so I started on it right away.

At 49, Marian had been in a relationship with a younger man for 7 years. He talked about making things permanent, but she had cold feet. At the same time, she decided to adopt a child from Russia. This turned out to be more complicated and expensive then she was told it would be. As if that wasn’t enough, her father became seriously ill. Witnessing her parents in the hospital, Marian realized why people commit to marriage. At 50 years old, Marian found herself coping with a new marriage, a new baby and the death of her father.

This book is a wonderful story of love. At 169 pages, it’s a quick, feel-good read. It brought tears to my eyes a few times. Marian’s descriptions and illustrations are delightful - through them, you experience the roller-coaster of emotions she went through. I loved this book and think it would make a great gift to anyone who has gone through or is contemplating a foreign adoption.

Filed under: Reader Submitted Stories • THE SHINIEST JEWEL Advance Reviews

THE SHINIEST JEWEL author, Marian Henley will be signing books at the Hachette Booth at ComicCon this weekend in San Diego at 1pm. The full schedule of HBG authors is here. If you’re at the convention, you should stop by, say hello, and pick up an advance copy of the book!

Filed under: Books