A Tale of Two Surrogates

“A Tale of Two Surrogates is a vivid portrait of the inner worlds of surrogates, in the process challenging assumptions and offering a nuanced take on autonomy, kinship, and the meaning of motherhood.”

—Amy Klein Hadassah Magazine

“A Tale of Two Surrogates is a valuable and innovative academic resource bridging the gap between empirical research and public engagement. The accessible chosen graphic novel format allows for a nuanced yet digestible exploration of surrogacy, making intricate legal and sociological concepts more approachable. The novel succeeds beautifully in humanising the surrogacy experience while maintaining scholarly integrity.”

—Dr. Zaina Mahmoud BioNews

“...a true pleasure to read. The book will be an interesting read both to those interested in surrogacy from an academic standpoint and also to the general reader.”

—Damien W. Riggs Psychology of Women Quarterly

“By centering voices of surrogates and narrating through graphics, A Tale of Two Surrogates makes an innovative contribution to the anthropology of reproduction. The graphic narrative format effectively conveys the temporal, embodied, and relational dimensions of surrogacy, making it particularly useful for medical anthropology, gender studies, and critical public health.”

—Amal Sana Faizal Medical Anthropology Quarterly

“Anyone thinking of either becoming a surrogate or looking for a surrogate will find this work an excellent starting point. Others may find it an interesting glimpse into an often hidden part of contemporary life.”

—Rabbi Rachel Esserman The Reporter

“Balancing analytical heft and methodological reflexivity with accessibility, clarity, and narrative propulsion in creative new ways is no easy task ... Teman and Berend have succeeded in their goals for this book and offer us an innovative model for engaging new audiences in social science.”

—Danielle Bessett Contemporary Sociology

“A Tale of Two Surrogates is a brilliant contribution to the academic literature on surrogacy and reproduction, as well as a valuable way to engage non-academic audiences in medical sociology and health research.”

—Olga Doletskaya The Sociological Review

“Two eminent scholars of reproduction offer this creative approach to exploring the complexities of reproductive technologies. Sure to reach new audiences!”

—Rene Almeling, author of Sex Cells: The Medical Market for Eggs and Sperm

“In A Tale of Two Surrogates, Elly Teman and Zsuzsa Berend brilliantly explore gestational surrogacy in Israel and the US, challenging stereotypes through graphic storytelling and offering fresh insights into this complex issue.”

—Carole H. Browner, co-editor of Reproduction, Globalization, and the State: New Theoretical and Ethnographic Perspectives