Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal is a graphic novel that I was thinking was going to be this uber feminist book that was all “yeah women, boo men!” And it is far from it. Okay, men don’t have the best of reputations, but they are not totally villainized. And except for Max (whomever he is), their sperm is still here and useful (but we have figured out how to synthesize a way that women can be “sperm donors” or bone marrow donors).
As one person said, a world without men is funny. And thankfully (for me) still has a few toot jokes (only I didn’t say toot jokes). Maybe this world is a bit utopian and unrealistic (I honestly cannot imagine all women immediately supporting each other, we do have a lot of people who are not that nice of all genders), but it is a nice thought experiment. We can be free to be nudists, free to not wear “construction equipment that pokes tiny holes in the soil” and Paul Bart is an icon (okay, maybe not that….) and free to be supportive and loving, and to find our voices without men interrupting. There is good humor (that’s what she said) and bad humor (that’s what she said) and there is a lot to process and think about. Some themes are touched on, but not expanded on (trans people) after all you really can’t get everything into one book, but it allows for the discussions to start. 
The idea of the book is one many have thought of, what happens when men die out? This way is a bit more “gentle” (men just start to die out, disappear, male babies are not born) though the black market male/sperm business is good. Then Mother Nature decides to have some fun and causes several disasters, the world as we know it is no longer, and we are left with the females to rebuild. And we follow one community that has its ups and downs, loves and hates, laughter and tears, and it’s honoring Beyonce and Oprah.
Some things are tongue in cheek, but honestly, not everything will hit the same way for every reader. (After all, some people will think it’s only fair to have five or six towns with images of Beyonce on their flags, but I must admit that I would not want the flag to be Miss B’s thighs… but I don’t judge). There are some mature themes, nudity, some queer humor/commentary, but all is done with love and care. The illustrations are clever, with minimal details so the story can flow at its own pace (though there is a “punch” to the speed and makes you, or at least me, keep reading quickly). The extras at the end make sure the fun does not stop. Though currently available, read via an online reader copy in one day. Rereads are recommended.
