this is the second issue of "gretchen" which i have bought. i chose this issue as my second read simply because the contents appealed to me when i read them on the wesbite. i was not let down by this zine. it is full of lots of different stories and bits and pieces to read. i love zines which are busy and full of personality: "the blood issue" certainly is this.
there are so many pieces of writing- a piece on death (thought provoking, stirring), a piece on egg donation, friendship (which she comically titles "friendshit") and a particularly moving piece called "adventures in cps" where jennifer details her involvement in the case of a baby who dies from family abuse at 8 months. there are also many pieces on menstruation and sex and scars and other bloody issues.
jennifer is never overly emotional or flowery with her writings. she doesn't attempt you manipulate you into sharing her point of view- it is a joy to read such clear thoughts and ideas which are still evidently deep topics. she does not lack passion through her composure.
this zine is mostly text, but it peppered with the occasional black and white print. i found the front and back covers particularly striking. i finished "the blood issue" more satisfied than i expected- i wasn't sure if i would find the topics as gripping as i did in gretchen #4. highly recommended: a very good read.
how to order:
jennifer's website has all the info you need for ordering any issues for gretchen. take a look at the gretchen zine website.