Top Shelf Productions will bring Parenthesis creator Élodie Durand’s new graphic novel to English-speaking readers this fall. Evan McGorray will translate the French graphic novel, which is about a mother, Anne Marbot, who learns her biological daughter is transitioning into a man.
Transitions: A Mother’s Journey is based on true events. “When I met Anne, there was no resource in France for parents living through the transition of their child,” Durand said. “Anne felt powerless to understand or support her son. She had this desire to bear witness for others, to find a way to help.”
Anne invited Durand to adapt Anne’s experience into Transitions. “As I began to research the issues, it was like a relief for me to explore the role of gender in our private and public lives. It became clear that gender is a concern for us all — that this intimate story is also the story of every family.”
Here are the details from Top Shelf:
In Transitions, university biologist Anne Marbot learns that the 19-year-old she raised as “Lucie” is a transgender man named Alex. Struggling to understand her son’s new identity, she’s overwhelmed by questions. How can this be? Who put these ideas in your head? What if you regret it? Am I overreacting? How will your grandparents react? Why didn’t I see it coming? Why is this so easy for others? Am I a bigot? What does gender really mean, anyway? How can I be the parent my child needs? The news of her child’s transition hits Anne like a tidal wave, sweeping away all her certainties and the comfort of her tidy life.
It soon becomes clear that Alex is not the only one embarking on a journey of self-discovery. The road is not easy, and sometimes their relationship is bitterly strained. But Alex is sure of himself, and Anne is determined to be strong for his sake. With time, she too will be transformed, rediscovering her identity as a mother in profound new ways.
“Translating Anne and Alex’s story was a moving experience that I cherish deeply,” McGorray said. “I was brought to tears as I translated Alex’s letter to his mother at the end. As a trans nonbinary person with trans friends and family members, I have witnessed so many different positive and negative reactions from parents to the trans experience. A mother’s perspective is complex, often challenging, and Élodie Durand allows the reader to put themself in Anne’s shoes. There is such beauty in her storytelling, fact-presenting, and artwork, and it was an honor to provide the English translation for such a seminal work for parents and loved ones.”
“Looking back, I am still surprised that the journey was so long and winding,” Marbot said. “Today, I simply say: Alex is my son.”
Look for Transitions to arrive in stores this November.