Writer and collage artist Graham Rawle cut his way through hundreds of women’s magazines from the 1960s to create the graphic novel Woman’s World. Each word on the 437 pages was found in a magazine, and carefully pasted together to construct an original story. It could be admired purely on a typographic level, but bypassing the content would do Graham’s storytelling a disservice. Readers find themselves immersed in the world of Norma Fontaine, a perfect advocate of the ‘60s housewife vibe. Clean clothes aren’t just white they are “shining shining white”. A moustache doesn’t exist unless it’s “ticklish”. “High heels, with big red lips and flowery hats” are clothing staples. Through Norma, Graham pays homage to the women in 1960s magazines by giving them a voice. He also pays tribute to the designers and makers of the actual articles by celebrating the craft that went into them. It is the perfect marriage of form and content. But, if you prefer your stories in colour you won’t have to wait long. Woman’s World is currently being made into a feature film in the USA. Get one up on your friends by reading the book before it hits the screens. I know Norma would.

Discover Woman’s World and more by visiting the YCN library at 72 Rivington Street, or browsing the collection online here.

Posted by Xanthia