Book Review: A Tale of Two Surrogates – A graphic narrative on assisted reproduction

A Tale of Two Surrogates: A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction
By Dr Zsuzsa Berend and Dr Elly Teman
Published by Penn State University Press
ISBN-10: 0271098856, ISBN-13: ‎978-0271098852
Buy this book from Amazon UK

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Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend's collaborative graphic novel, 'A Tale of Two Surrogates', is an accessible and innovative contribution to the growing body of literature on assisted reproductive technology. Offering a compelling and unique blend of narrative storytelling and empirical research, the story has the ability to capture a broad audience.

The graphic novel eloquently discusses the complex ethical, emotional, and legal dimensions of surrogacy, following the journeys of two surrogates, Dana and Jenn, in Israel and California, respectively.

These main characters are composites, carefully constructed from the authors' respective ethnographic research on surrogacy. Dana's narrative is based on Teman's work, including Birthing a Mother: The Surrogate Body and the Pregnant Self (see BioNews 569), and Jenn's narrative draws heavily on Berend's The Online World of Surrogacy (a book I have mentioned previously, see BioNews 1114). As a result, the characters' voices and decisions feel authentic and realistic.

As explained in the prologue, Teman and Berend ensure their conceptualisation of surrogacy is faithful to scholarly findings on the demographics of surrogacy in Israel and California: Dana and Jenn are both middle-class, heterosexual, married working mothers.

The novel's 21 chapters alternate between Dana and Jenn's surrogacy journeys, allowing for a clear comparison to be drawn between the two. However, this ambitious narrative structure (flipping between Jenn and Dana's journeys) can at times be difficult to follow. The frequent shifts between different characters and timelines may be slightly disorienting for readers, particularly those unfamiliar with surrogacy.

Dana decides to become a surrogate after thinking about her easy pregnancies and conducting research in the Israeli context. After some initial pushback from friends, she commits to her decision and undergoes the necessary checks and screenings before matching with a couple through an agency. Dana's portrayal as an athlete is symbolic of the selective nature of surrogacy in Israel: only those satisfying strict physical and mental criteria may become surrogates. Additionally, this portrayal reflects the narrative trope often drawn upon by Israeli surrogates when recounting their journeys, as tough, determined adventurers choosing to face risks and surmount obstacles to complete their mission.

Similarly, Jenn's decision to become a surrogate is fuelled by a realisation that she could help others achieve their parenthood dreams, motivating her to join online surrogacy forums to learn more about the process in California. Jenn relies heavily on the online world of surrogacy, akin to Surrogate Mothers Online, an online surrogacy network, and its users are represented as a modern version of a classical Greek chorus, illustrating the prominence of online discussions and debates that shape a particular image of surrogacy.

Teman and Berend discuss the ambivalence, joy, and heartbreak that may feature in surrogacy journeys, allowing the novel to excel in its portrayal of the emotional highs and lows. Neither Dana's nor Jenn's journeys are straightforward and quick; instead, both overcome various challenges, including failed embryo transfers, difficulties with their intended parents, and resistance from the wider public. This emotional depth is complemented by a clear engagement with empirical literature, grounding the narratives in broader global social and legal realities.

One of my favourite features is the interspersed illustrations of empirical data and comparative insights from Russia, India, Thailand, and Mexico, which enrich the narrative and provide a global context to the surrogacy journeys depicted. These one-page vignettes include a snapshot of a monument or setting in that specific part of the world, with quotes from relevant publications. I found these illustrations added a layer of academic rigour, often missing in traditional graphic storytelling.

A structural critique concerns the placement of the concise history of surrogacy, which appears at the end of the novel. This illustration would have served better as a sort of prologue, providing readers with essential context before jumping into the personal narratives.

Additionally, surrogacy is not a black-and-white process; however, the novel is predominantly monochrome. At times, the black-and-white Roy Lichtenstein-like illustrations detract slightly from the emotional resonance and visual appeal of the work, and a more vibrant palette may have enhanced the storytelling and reader engagement.

A Tale of Two Surrogates is a valuable and innovative academic resource bridging the gap between empirical research and public engagement. The accessible chosen graphic novel format allows for a nuanced yet digestible exploration of surrogacy, making intricate legal and sociological concepts more approachable. The novel succeeds beautifully in humanising the surrogacy experience while maintaining scholarly integrity. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in reproductive justice, surrogacy, or the evolving landscape of family-making.

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Buy A Tale of Two Surrogates: A Graphic Narrative on Assisted Reproduction from Amazon UK.