Published on July 12th, 2024 | by Chris O'Connor
Loud: Stories To Make Your Voice Heard TPB Review
Summary: It's beyond time to put an end to gender-based violence! Listening to the stories people tell about their experiences and really hearing what they have to say is a big step towards equality.
4.8
Hear Her!
It is a horrible thing that even today we have widespread instances of gendered-violence… perhaps even more than ever. Whilst things are starting to change in some places… things are moving slowly. But there is something we can all do to help improve things and that is simply to listen and really hear what is being said. For too long, people’s experiences have been dismissed as hysteria or fussing over nothing or downplayed in some other way. Loud: Stories To Make Your Voice Heard presents lived experiences for readers to take on board and either gain better understanding of their fellow humans or simply to feel seen, heard and no longer alone.
Writing
There are some really powerful stories here. From the simple act of walking home at night and all the fear that goes with that, to slut shaming, to trying to feel comfortable in our own skin and many others. These are stories that will seem all too familiar to many and hopefully will be eye opening for others and lead to more appreciation of what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Artwork
There are a variety of different art styles here with each lending a different feel to the stories they present. From Pixaresque figures with pastel shades to jagged lines and bold simple colours to illustrative panels with a lovely warm inviting colouring style. While not every style might be to your taste… there’s enough variety here that there are bound to be plenty that are to your liking.
Final Thoughts
It is important to have these stories told. They benefit us in many ways, from the person who sees themselves in the characters and perhaps feels less alone, less silenced to the person who finally understands why someone they know behaves the way they do, is fearful of something that otherwise didn’t seem like it should be scary. These stories can help those who have experienced gendered-violence and perhaps even help people who perpetrate gendered-violence to understand the impact of what they do and hopefully encourage them to change for the better.
Certainly worth a purchase and worth sharing with others.
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Anna Cercignano, Elenora Antonioni, Maurizia Rubino, Francesca Torre, La Tram, Lucia Biagi, Vega Guerrieri, Caterina Ferrante, Laure Guglielmo, Davide Costa, ElisA2B, Carmen Guasco, Marta Macolino, Alessia De Sio
Translator: Anna Barton
Cover Artist: Grazia La Padula
Genre: International, Short Stories/Anthologies
Format: 184pgs, FC, TPB
Release Date: 10th July 2024