Breaking: Graphic memoir Turns Late Motherhood Into Laughing Matter
In a bold debut, a Montpellier-based illustrator releases her first graphic memoir, chronicling the upheaval of becoming a mother at age 40 with unflinching honesty and humor.
The book, titled Abel – I Love My Parents, traces a life that pivoted dramatically after a thriving pregnancy and an “epic” birth.Nine months of intense work culminated in a 70-page album published by Alter Comics in October 2025, marking a surprising detour into comics for an artist long known for naturalism and animal studies.
Born in Reims and trained at ESA saint-Luc in Liège, the author built a diverse career before moving to Montpellier, where she taught at an art school while continuing to illustrate. Comics soon emerged as a late but decisive turn in her professional journey, propelled by encouragement from a publisher who noticed online sketches turning into a personal diary shared with a few dozen followers.
Late Motherhood On The Page: Real Life, Real Laughter
The memoir doesn’t gloss over the rougher patches. It dives into the practicalities-diapers, post-birth urinary leaks, and the relentless mental load-and also the emotional shifts that accompany parenthood in your forties. The setting shifts from a playground to the nursery, where renovations and even lead on the walls become plot points.
Humor serves as the thread that binds these scenes. The author insists that laughter helps navigate fatigue, loneliness, and the shifting circle of friends who are at different life stages. Readers-especially mothers-have found recognition in these pages, turning the work into a subtle form of solidarity.
The birth Of A Series
Abel – I Love My Parents is just the beginning. The creator confirms a second volume is in progress, with plans to explore future milestones, including the arrival of grandparents and the challenges of vacations with peers whose children are the same age. Her son Abel already recognizes the characters, suggesting a personal, evolving relationship between author and family as the work grows.
The book’s release also touched a personal note for the author, who recounts the disappearance of her cat in the days leading up to publication-a reminder that life’s unpredictability fuels both the humor and the heart of the memoir.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| title | Abel – I Love My Parents |
| Author | Charlotte Quentin |
| Publication | October 2025 |
| Publisher | Alter Comics |
| Pages | 70 |
| Theme | Late motherhood, humor, daily life challenges |
| Origin | From naturalism to comics; first graphic memoir |
Background And Career arc
Raised in Reims, Quentin studied applied arts at ESA Saint-Luc in Liège, graduating with distinction in 2008. She moved from the North to the South, settled in montpellier, and taught at an art school while maintaining a steady stream of illustration work.The shift into comics appeared as a late, energetic fork in her career, driven by a publisher who saw potential in her online diary-like sketches.
What It Means For Readers
The memoir offers a candid mirror for parents navigating late-life changes, balancing professional ambition with the demands of a growing family. Its intimate vignettes-ranging from nursery routines to the emotional toll of parenting-resonate with anyone who has watched friendships evolve after parenthood.
As the creator notes, the work is only the first chapter. The forthcoming volume promises to widen the lens to broader family dynamics and vacation misadventures with friends, ensuring readers stay engaged as the characters grow alongside real-life events.
Readers are invited to reflect: Have you encountered a graphic memoir that blends humor with the realities of parenting? How might late-life life changes reshape your own reading preferences?
What other personal milestones woudl you like to see explored through illustrated storytelling?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
