Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body

“Where detective fiction promises knowledge and order, this story is aligned with unknowing” (p. 255).

Margaret, a child sleuth, grows up and loses her sense of self. This novel is queer in every sense of the word. It explores the early queer isolationism, finding family, and recognizing that societal pressure is a red herring to genuine acceptance of self.

The final letter of the book sent me into a research spiral and emotional tailspin.

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annabella's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The last section made it a 5 star read for me. More books need this. A refusal of genre, going against a sensical linear narrative, not having a binary of character and author!
Definitely need to read trigger warnings before if have experience with eating disorders and self harm, although I would say this depiction of it is nuanced, complex, and insightful. The start with the mystery adventures was extremely fun and I was laughing out loud with how funny the protagonist was. I was drawn to the other characters. And always aware of ~society ~ eg the insurance that dictated whether the people could stay. The change of personal pronouns from third person to second to first…!

Really well written, extremely clever, and takes you on a journey you wouldn’t expect. It’s surreal and experimental and weird and risk taking. Wonderful representation of a queer coming of age( but also not quite because it can’t be defined by a genre), that actually most of those things don’t cover. It feels very authentic to the genderqueer / transmasc experience. Would want to highlight many parts of this book, if I were to read again in non audiobook form.

Content Warnings