Brittle Joints

”Painting in strokes of brilliant color against more muted earth tones across decades of her life, Sweeney makes visible the invisible, those daily nothings that those not experiencing chronic illness take for granted… . By highlighting both the truth of the struggles and the joys, Sweeney presents a fuller picture of the disability experience.” —Booklist, starred review

”Powerful… . an intimate graphic memoir about living through everyday pain and inconveniences with verve.” —Foreword Reviews, starred review

“A flowing journey alighting rage, heartbreak, subtlety, and transcendence that will grow your heart towards anyone suffering a health crisis.” —Craig Thompson, author of the award-winning memoir, Blankets

“An invitation to try and understand the reality of being physically limited while being limitless, creative, and free as a bird in the mind.” —Karina Shor, author of Silence, Full Stop

“I was deeply moved by this generous offering with beautifully rendered imagery. This memoir is informative for those who have not experienced disability and highly relatable to those who inhabit a body that society and the medical system don’t know how to treat.” —Natalie Norris, author of Dear Mini

“A gorgeous account of the temporality of illness and the deprivation of selfhood, balanced by a rich savoring of the organic and the beautiful in life from which many of us have much to learn.”—MK Czerwiec, author of Taking Turns

“Sweeny details through exquisite storytelling a profound and personal look at life in a world not built for her, interwoven with nourishing experiences of peace and kindness.” —Morgan Boecher, author of What’s Normal Anyway?

“This tale of pain and doctors is teeming with natural beauty, as life resists infirmity, and talent overflows a fragile vessel.” —Sabrina Jones, creator of Our Lady of Birth Control

“I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can create gentle spaces for being seen, feeling heard, and expanding our understandings. Sweeney’s work definitely does that and I hope it builds spaces for much better conversations … conversations that parts of the medical professions have been having, but really need to be extended!” —Graphic Medicine

Maria Sweeney is a queer artist who was born in Moldova and grew up in New Jersey. She got her BFA from Moore College of Art and Design. She lives outside of Philadelphia, and when she’s not reading or sketching comics, she’s snuggling with her tiny dog, Bambi. This is her debut graphic novel.

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