Customer Reviews

Cancer Vixen: A True Story

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, I feel lousy saying that, but really, I couldn't put this book down. Which is odd, because I work in an (shall remain a-nonny-mus)bookstore and "Cancer Vixen" doesn't exactly say "read me."

Well, okay, maybe it does, in its own way, with its electrified purple cover (where do they keep the batteries to power that color?) and simplified drawings.

The cartoonist in question, Marisa Acocella Marchetto, was at the top of her game when a doctor noticed a lump in her breast. It couldn't have come at a worse time for Marchetto. She was engaged to a wonderful man and life was humming along pretty well in a profession that can be less than pretty. Then came The News. Cancer.

So instead of writing another book about breast cancer, Marchetto grabbed her pen and did what she does best: cartooning. The result is an honest, visually engaging and sometimes hilarious read. Beast Cancer doesn't say, "graphic novel", but here, it works, and quite well, too. The illustrations reflect the author's emotions with a great deal of clarity and are quite effective. And the backstory of how she met her fiance and the description of her multiple bffs, shopping habits, and work life are interesting as well. But most of all, I liked the honesty. That coupled with the little details of her everyday life were very gratifying, like a good healthy chat with one of your girlfriends who gives you all the details.

Even if you are not shopping for something about cancer, this is a very good read. And if you buy a copy of it with crumbs in it, that's just from the workers who read it during lunch. Consider it a compliment for the book.

I love New Yorker cartoons. I hate comic books. I LOVED Cancer Vixen. I've been through a terrible illness and I have friends and family who have been through cancer, chemo, and radiation. This is an excellent story of one person's experience. It's the best literature I've ever read about the cancer/chemo experience because it shows what it's all about and how it effects the patient's life and family. I could really relate! I'm a writer, but no purely written story could have had the same impact and wisdom as this beatuiful, visual story. And the writing is witty and spot on too. Marisa is a brilliant cartoonist. She was actually very brave to tell her story as she did. I wish her happiness and health!

As a BC survivor, like many of you, I came to this book with a personal perspective. In fact, it turns out that I live in the same neighborhood as the author, but am about 15 yrs. older. I know this is a book about a "younger" "glam" cancer pt., but that's OK. What I liked best was that, when you have BC (or any serious illness) you've got to do whatever it takes to get thru, so a sense of humor, and a sense of art is fabulous. I admired the author's courage and panache while also reminiscing (not always the happiest thing) about my own treatment. This book is for readers with a sense of humor and a sense of the quirky, but I think that's just what BC deserves, not seriousness all the time. Good for you, Marchetto!!!

I bought this book and while I have still only read parts and skimmed others, it was a refreshing change from your typical BC book. It is not for the easily offended, but if you have a dark sense of humor, and need a break from the relentless cheeriness/despair of BC, this is it. I definately laughed out loud - something I needed after a DX of Stage 3C. I probably should give it more than 3 stars...

I've been a huge fan of Marissa Acoccella's for years, loving all her New Yorker cartoons, but nothing prepared me for how wonderful -- just wonderful, wonderful -- this book is. I've already read it three times in the last week. It's funny and poignant. There are great shoes and great characters (I especially loved the depiction of all those pipe- cleaner-thin girls I see all the time at Da Silvano and, of course, Silvano is so loveable in the book.)
Get this book for every woman you know. If someone doesn't love this, they can't have a pulse.

Oh, and Marissa Acoccella, if you're reading this, thank you so much. I come from a family of survivors and this has been an especially trying year, and your book saved me. And us.

This is a great book for breast cancer survivors and/or anyone who has a friend of loved one that is a survivor. When I purchased the book I did not realize it was all in cartoon format, this worried me at first. However, after beginning the book and finding out how hilarious it is, I could not put it down. The authors description of her thoughts and feelings as she went through her diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is phenominal! She takes her very real and difficult situation and puts a beautiful, comical spin on it.

It is virtually impossible to make light of a cancer situation in one's life. Cancer Vixen displays many great and funny situations during the life of a Vogue New York woman struggling with her bout against cancer. And this is done in a stylish comic form, which adds a spectacular read, and making tragedy an interesting and colorful exciting book about a struggle with breast cancer. Anyone who gives hope during their roughest point in life and shows the rest of the world how it was handled, makes this the 'ROCKY' story of this year. Stay tuned... the movie is coming!

thank you marisa for having what it takes to share your story on such an intimate level, and with such humor! your story is important to us all, regardless of age or gender, regardless of where you live or your current age. your story is only a chance away from being our story. your ability to tell 'our' story with grace, elegance and humor is unprecedented. you make us believe that we can win. you teach us through your drawing and wit how important and wonderful every moment of each day is. a lesson learned and shared by marisa: live each moment in slow motion. don't miss anything. thank you marisa.

i found this book to be an inspiration. its visually captivating, incredibly witty and ultimately a beautifully written and moving tale of love, kindness and the power of positivity. i could not put this book down and have already read it twice, each time finding wonderful nuances that make me smile. this book is for everyone; its a full-on creative EXPERIENCE. i highly recommend.

I am going down a similar path having been diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2007 and having bilateral mastectomy in April. I am now 7 months post op. A friend suggested I read this book. I had it sitting on my table for 2 weeks and picked it up the other night. I read it in a few hours and laughed my way from start to finish. I needed to laugh and I did.

The books is factual and funny - a hard combo for a cancer story.

Do someone you know [who has breast cancer] a favor and buy them this book as a gift. It will be most appreciated.