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Single Mothering
With acidic humor, true stories and brutal honesty, Anna Härmälä explores the ups and downs of single motherhood in this colorful, irreverent graphic novel.
After her partner suddenly leaves her, Li finds herself alone, with the baby. She’s a single mother, and it seems like nobody will ever see her as anything else, and her eyebags are now permanent features of her face. As her daughter gets older, she finds herself passing through the different stages of single wondering if she’ll ever meet anyone on a dating app who isn’t also a sad, single parent just wanting to be friends; wondering if she can start socializing again without people asking her why she’s not home with the baby; wondering if she can sit and watch TV without falling straight to sleep. Can Li get over the hurdles of being a single mother without losing herself in the process?
Fans of Fleabag and irreverent comedy will love this debut non-fiction graphic novel from Finnish creator, Anna Härmälä which gives us a glimpse into what it feels like to piece yourself back together and re-discover your identity when you’re running on less than an hour’s sleep a night and someone depends on you for survival.
After her partner suddenly leaves her, Li finds herself alone, with the baby. She’s a single mother, and it seems like nobody will ever see her as anything else, and her eyebags are now permanent features of her face. As her daughter gets older, she finds herself passing through the different stages of single wondering if she’ll ever meet anyone on a dating app who isn’t also a sad, single parent just wanting to be friends; wondering if she can start socializing again without people asking her why she’s not home with the baby; wondering if she can sit and watch TV without falling straight to sleep. Can Li get over the hurdles of being a single mother without losing herself in the process?
Fans of Fleabag and irreverent comedy will love this debut non-fiction graphic novel from Finnish creator, Anna Härmälä which gives us a glimpse into what it feels like to piece yourself back together and re-discover your identity when you’re running on less than an hour’s sleep a night and someone depends on you for survival.
168 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2024
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 28, 2024
I love a book like this, one that's honest, and that discusses both the big life changing events, as well as the little mundane moments.
The big triumph of this book is that it manages to be relatable to someone like me, who is not single and is not a mother. Still, I saw aspects that were familiar, as well as learning about an experience that was very different to mine.
I found it to be both funny and heartfelt, with really great artwork throughout. It's more of a collection of comic strips than a single narrative, but that worked really well here.
If you're a fan of Rachel Smith's auto-bio stuff, like Quarantine Comix, then you'll love Anna Härmälä's Single Mothering!
The big triumph of this book is that it manages to be relatable to someone like me, who is not single and is not a mother. Still, I saw aspects that were familiar, as well as learning about an experience that was very different to mine.
I found it to be both funny and heartfelt, with really great artwork throughout. It's more of a collection of comic strips than a single narrative, but that worked really well here.
If you're a fan of Rachel Smith's auto-bio stuff, like Quarantine Comix, then you'll love Anna Härmälä's Single Mothering!
July 20, 2025
I like the pretty pictures
June 12, 2024
This is a weird one. A graphic memoir about a woman in the first year of motherhood but her daughter’s father cheated on her and left just after the baby was born. The whole book alternates between normal every day life scenes and allegorical or absurdist takes on how she feels. Did I mention this is Finnish (whoops for me thinking it was Danish for a second)? If you enjoy Lucy Knisley but want your graphic novel to be a little more unsettling and irreverent, this is the book for you.
February 23, 2025
Very, very good! This is super creative and bittersweet. Beautiful colors, flawed yet loveable characters, and a brutal but funny look at the grief and challenges this character experienced with being a single mother after her partner leaves her. This is very clever and layered, and I laughed out loud multiple times. This has a lot of thoughtful detail while still being a quick read.
There is somewhat of a through line, but especially from the halfway mark on, this was more like a collection of related comics than a graphic novel. Or, at least, it was episodic in a chronological order. There are more traditional scenes, and then interludes in creative styles, like medieval drawings expressing the judgement she feels at being a single mother. It ends abruptly.
Also cool to see a little bit about more social support for new parents in other countries (e.g., baby boxes,free therapy).
There is somewhat of a through line, but especially from the halfway mark on, this was more like a collection of related comics than a graphic novel. Or, at least, it was episodic in a chronological order. There are more traditional scenes, and then interludes in creative styles, like medieval drawings expressing the judgement she feels at being a single mother. It ends abruptly.
Also cool to see a little bit about more social support for new parents in other countries (e.g., baby boxes,free therapy).
April 10, 2024
I'd been waiting for Anna's book to come out for ages, and it was just as good as I had imagined! Highly recommend to both parents and non-parents but single moms will find a true friend in it ❤
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November 19, 2024I like the iconographic elements of different eras and memes.
October 21, 2024
Great graphic novel memoir, and should be a staple in child birth classes to highlight first hand experiences of postpartum, from one persons, very digestible perspective.
June 12, 2024
Äitiys ei ole missään mielessä minulle ominaisin aihe mistä lukea, mutta Sinkkumutsi osuu silti. Kauniit kuvitukset! Täynnä armollisen äitiyden sanomaa. Enemmän arkisiin havaintoihin ja tunnelmiin keskittyvä teos, jossa ei sinänsä ole kyse hahmoista tai juonista.
December 17, 2024
An incredibly creative approach to storytelling.
October 3, 2024
“Single Mothering” is a graphic novel focusing on author Anna Härmälä’s experience of becoming a single mother in Finland after she is dumped by her partner and learning to navigate the world as a single mother and as a single woman.
The graphic novel begins by showing the author, her partner, and their child before he removes himself from their family unit after following his libido.
Suddenly finding herself alone raising her daughter Alma, Mia (a fictionalized version of Härmälä) experiences constantly being with her daughter Alma, accept her post baby body, establishing, and maintaining friendships while trying to present herself as being fine with the end of her relationship since at least Alma’s father is still present in his daughter’s life.
Throughout the graphic novel, the reader sees Mia seek and receive advice from numerous friends but ironically when she asks them for her, they often guilt her into feeling bad for asking them for help. At the suggestion of a friend, Mia goes to a trauma therapist but leaves feeling that the therapist is wrong in the advice she’s been given.
As Mia hangs around other single mothers and couple friends, she begins to notice different treatment in how they choose to interact with her. Eventually, Mia goes on a date set up by a friend but it ends in disaster when the date ignores her conversation and fixates on her body. Mia shares with by the reader her experience of being judged by others as well as dating, having sex, and worrying if she’s ruined Alma’s life by separating from her father.
As the months pass, Mia learns to understand Alma’s behavior, how to maneuver a stroller throughput town and which public toilets contains a changing table. When Alma is one, Mia tells her therapist of plans to take a trip to Berlin for two nights and is surprised when instead of support, her therapist warns that leaving Alma even for a day could have dire consequences for her as an adult.
While in Berlin, Mia gets drunk and sleep with a musician which she later regrets. After attending her weekly therapist session, she feels better for taking a trip but finds that she is best understood by a group of single mothers. Mia finds herself internally questioning medical care received by a nurse regarding Alma when she learns that the lady doesn’t have children.
After going through a variety of emotions including anger, sadness, and frustration, Mia eventually transitions to feelings of hope and determination to overcome the obstacles in front of her and Alma and work toward providing them with a stable apartment with supportive and positive friendships.
The graphic novel ends with Mia and Alma settling into a new home and Mia acting as a guide to their friends as they each experience their own personal struggles.
As I finished the graphic novel, I was surprised to learn how internal and external judgment towards single mothers is a universal experience faced by women around the world. Likewise, I amazed to learn that Finnish mothers are provided a baby box by the state government which contains clothes, blankets, diapers, condoms, etc.) Likewise, the baby box provided by the state government also doubles as a safe bed for the baby as well as a poster to remind parents to smile through the pain of raising a new baby.
In closing, this was a great graphic novel in that it provides a realistic perspective of single motherhood from an international perspective and how women are sometimes held to unrealistic standards from overall as society as well as from other women.
The graphic novel begins by showing the author, her partner, and their child before he removes himself from their family unit after following his libido.
Suddenly finding herself alone raising her daughter Alma, Mia (a fictionalized version of Härmälä) experiences constantly being with her daughter Alma, accept her post baby body, establishing, and maintaining friendships while trying to present herself as being fine with the end of her relationship since at least Alma’s father is still present in his daughter’s life.
Throughout the graphic novel, the reader sees Mia seek and receive advice from numerous friends but ironically when she asks them for her, they often guilt her into feeling bad for asking them for help. At the suggestion of a friend, Mia goes to a trauma therapist but leaves feeling that the therapist is wrong in the advice she’s been given.
As Mia hangs around other single mothers and couple friends, she begins to notice different treatment in how they choose to interact with her. Eventually, Mia goes on a date set up by a friend but it ends in disaster when the date ignores her conversation and fixates on her body. Mia shares with by the reader her experience of being judged by others as well as dating, having sex, and worrying if she’s ruined Alma’s life by separating from her father.
As the months pass, Mia learns to understand Alma’s behavior, how to maneuver a stroller throughput town and which public toilets contains a changing table. When Alma is one, Mia tells her therapist of plans to take a trip to Berlin for two nights and is surprised when instead of support, her therapist warns that leaving Alma even for a day could have dire consequences for her as an adult.
While in Berlin, Mia gets drunk and sleep with a musician which she later regrets. After attending her weekly therapist session, she feels better for taking a trip but finds that she is best understood by a group of single mothers. Mia finds herself internally questioning medical care received by a nurse regarding Alma when she learns that the lady doesn’t have children.
After going through a variety of emotions including anger, sadness, and frustration, Mia eventually transitions to feelings of hope and determination to overcome the obstacles in front of her and Alma and work toward providing them with a stable apartment with supportive and positive friendships.
The graphic novel ends with Mia and Alma settling into a new home and Mia acting as a guide to their friends as they each experience their own personal struggles.
As I finished the graphic novel, I was surprised to learn how internal and external judgment towards single mothers is a universal experience faced by women around the world. Likewise, I amazed to learn that Finnish mothers are provided a baby box by the state government which contains clothes, blankets, diapers, condoms, etc.) Likewise, the baby box provided by the state government also doubles as a safe bed for the baby as well as a poster to remind parents to smile through the pain of raising a new baby.
In closing, this was a great graphic novel in that it provides a realistic perspective of single motherhood from an international perspective and how women are sometimes held to unrealistic standards from overall as society as well as from other women.
October 3, 2024
wow i liked this actually!! the art was cute, pace was quick, main character relatable even if im not a single mother myself. we really need to be more accepting and kind and patient with single mothers. it’s a hard job to say the least!! i enjoyed the way the author portrayed these struggles, they were quick and surface level but still deep and meaningful at the same time. this perspective was from a mother outside of the US, i can’t even imagine how hard it can be in the US as a single mother without guaranteed leave and even just the lil aid that this mother was getting
December 23, 2024
No. I’m not a single mother. I was raised by a single mother and this was an interesting read. This was not like mom’s story but there were many similarities, especially about the feeling of being ostracized and unsolicited pity and judgement.
If you don’t know what it’s like to be a single mother, read this.
If you are a man/woman who abandoned your significant other and child, go fuck yourself. Preferably something sandpapery.
“I DON'T KNOW IF I LOVED YOU INSTANTLY, BUT I KNEW...
I KNOW IF SOMEONE TRIED TO HURT YOU, I WOULD DESTROY THEM.” - Anna Härmälä
If you don’t know what it’s like to be a single mother, read this.
If you are a man/woman who abandoned your significant other and child, go fuck yourself. Preferably something sandpapery.
“I DON'T KNOW IF I LOVED YOU INSTANTLY, BUT I KNEW...
I KNOW IF SOMEONE TRIED TO HURT YOU, I WOULD DESTROY THEM.” - Anna Härmälä
September 24, 2024
Not so much a straight memoir as a series of snapshots, this GN includes scenes from the first year of the artist's motherhood. The illustration style would likely appeal to readers of Roz Chast. While the author's circumstances are thankfully not the norm, all parents will find experiences that feel similar to their own.
April 3, 2024
Single Mothering by Anna Härmälä is a semi autobiographical graphic novel that is about being a single parent to a baby.
When Mia is dumped by her husband not long after giving birth, she has to navigate not only bringing up a child alone but also friends who don't always say or do the right things, exhaustion, therapy and eventually online dating!
You may or may not know I used to work in a book shop that sold comics and graphic novels and in my time there, I read a fair bit of the stock! Id love to get back into reading graphic novels again so was thrilled when Nobrow Press gifted me this copy.
I loved this graphic novel. It's not a story in the conventional sense but rather each page gives a snapshot of what life is like for Mia covering friendships, therapy, dating and the trials of raising a young human alone. Some of it is funny and other bits made me really feel for her and reminded me how hard looking after a baby can be (even harder when you are on your own!)
The art work is striking and vibrant. Each page has a different colour theme (Swipe through to see some examples) and I loved her drawing style.
When Mia is dumped by her husband not long after giving birth, she has to navigate not only bringing up a child alone but also friends who don't always say or do the right things, exhaustion, therapy and eventually online dating!
You may or may not know I used to work in a book shop that sold comics and graphic novels and in my time there, I read a fair bit of the stock! Id love to get back into reading graphic novels again so was thrilled when Nobrow Press gifted me this copy.
I loved this graphic novel. It's not a story in the conventional sense but rather each page gives a snapshot of what life is like for Mia covering friendships, therapy, dating and the trials of raising a young human alone. Some of it is funny and other bits made me really feel for her and reminded me how hard looking after a baby can be (even harder when you are on your own!)
The art work is striking and vibrant. Each page has a different colour theme (Swipe through to see some examples) and I loved her drawing style.
June 3, 2024
Slice-of-life comics depict the artist's experiences raising a child on her own. The artwork is intricate and nicely done. As with all books that explore parenting, I read it thinking to myself, I am so glad this is not my life--and that I have the ability to make that choice. Things may change regarding self-autonomy for women in the future, however.
August 4, 2024
Just imagine how much worse life would be for the author if she didn’t live somewhere like Helsinki where single mothers can get 1) therapy 2) time off work to recover from giving birth 3) presumably money for basic necessities. 🙃 And guess what?! Even with all those riches, being a single mom still sounds rough, and even well-meaning people say some pretty messed up and judgmental things.
October 10, 2024
I believe this may be the first graphic novel I have ever read from start to finish!
Anna H. gives a mostly humorous but sometimes sobering account of the challenges of single motherhood. The main character's partner has unexpectedly and abruptly left her to raise their infant daughter alone, saying that he no longer loves her (what an irresponsible a**hole!).
The author explores the daily challenges confronting many single moms: fighting off the looming threat of financial insecurity, dating while parenting, dealing with the harsh judgment of others, navigating friendships with both single and married moms, feeling envy toward seemingly happily married parents, and facing the unrelenting fatigue of "juggling it all" alone.
While I enjoyed how the author delved into some pretty tough issues, I was left wanting more. Still a good, quick read for those who enjoy graphic novels and are interested in parenting issues.
Anna H. gives a mostly humorous but sometimes sobering account of the challenges of single motherhood. The main character's partner has unexpectedly and abruptly left her to raise their infant daughter alone, saying that he no longer loves her (what an irresponsible a**hole!).
The author explores the daily challenges confronting many single moms: fighting off the looming threat of financial insecurity, dating while parenting, dealing with the harsh judgment of others, navigating friendships with both single and married moms, feeling envy toward seemingly happily married parents, and facing the unrelenting fatigue of "juggling it all" alone.
While I enjoyed how the author delved into some pretty tough issues, I was left wanting more. Still a good, quick read for those who enjoy graphic novels and are interested in parenting issues.
December 30, 2024
I am not a single mother but I picked this book from my local library because I love to see different perspectives and stories. The art was very pleasing to the eye and I could feel the frustration and struggles that the main character was going through. For the author’s first graphic novel, she did very well 😊
October 12, 2025
Nordic states are really a different world of government support, if only that was my hood (America, the worst place on earth!)
loved the drawing style, giggled at the frank honesty of the exhaustion and isolation of motherhood and especially the unfairness of single motherhood in a society built for couples
loved the drawing style, giggled at the frank honesty of the exhaustion and isolation of motherhood and especially the unfairness of single motherhood in a society built for couples
November 25, 2025
3.5 A sweet book about the challenges, fears and joys of being a single mother. After being dumped Mia navigates motherhood, single hood, friendships, making her way forward. Set in Finland or Norway. Loved the image of all the baby carriages outside the cafe as mothers met inside. A glimpse into Scandinavian parenting. Also the baby box provided by the government to every new parent.
May 1, 2024
A melancholy graphic memoir about a woman in Finland whose husband abandoned her after the birth of their daughter (the heel, be a man, you jerk). Ethereal artwork merges with bold and vulnerable text to make a beautiful snapshot of loss and eventually, hope.
September 13, 2024
2.5 Ok this book had really beautiful illustrations but the story was a bit disjointed. I think it’s supposed to be read as separate vignettes that add up to a whole story but a lot of it was confusing and didn’t seem to flow together.
January 21, 2025
Upea kirja! Vaikka aihe ei itselle ole tuttu, oli mielenkiintoista uppoutua kirjan monipuolisiin sarjakuviin. Todella taidokkaasti piirretty, tykkäsin värimaailmasta ja viittauksista taidehistorian muihin teoksiin. Nautin myös kirjan huumorista.
March 20, 2024
Anna is a wonderful artist but this has something for everyone - I adored it so much
May 30, 2024
Aivan ihana ja sympaattinen!
July 8, 2024
Nice art. Am never going to have kids so found the topic matter unrelatable.
July 15, 2024
as someone who will never be a mother, i find them fascinating. wonderful illustrations
August 5, 2024
I loved the art style in this and the way the author portrayed motherhood felt very real and relatable.
September 5, 2024
This book is so real.. I like that Mia is not a perfect person or mother and acknowledges that. The last page with words was so sweet I wanna engrave that into my brain.
October 10, 2024
A must read to understand the perspective of a single mom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews