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exhumedprince's review
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Dysphoria, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Drug use
phouka's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Dysphoria, Deadnaming, Eating disorder, Hate crime, Child death, Homophobia, Stalking, Transphobia, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Drug use, Medical content, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Bullying, Car accident, and Rape
Minor: Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Self harm, Sexism, Mental illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic
mels_reading_log's review
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexism, Body horror, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Alcohol, Hate crime, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Deadnaming, Sexual assault, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Suicidal thoughts
theebster's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Medical content
melsage1823's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of my most hyped reads from the moment I got it and for the most part it did deliver. It was very powerful and stuck with me deeply, it was a roller coaster and despite Elliots story being out of order it truly did strike a cord. I hate it to say it but I think it's underrated, yeah the non linear narrative spoils the flow of the book but its still really good especially with how authentic and Elliot is, in every chapter he writes. It was beautiful and struck me hard especially when he shared what it was like being in the closet.
It's very brave and bold that Elliot writes a memoir unapologetic to his style and doesn't do writes it in a way the reader will expect. Its very interesting and emotional.The storytelling style may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's still very engaging. That being said though there is some critiques I feel nesscary to share.
First the length, whilst some memoirs I have felt too long others have felt too short and this is one that falls into that trap of being too short. I feel like we had a journey with Elliot going from discovering his Sexuality to accepting his gender identity. There's a lot of moments that felt like he could have further fleshed out to give more context. I get it's his life and his life is personal but I feel like several chapters should have been extended in order to have the punch land easier and add to the flow of the books. The snipets felt like they need slowing down so readers could better absorb the story. If it wasn't for my reading journal I would have really struggled to absorb Elliots journey and the events he shares.
Secondly the style. I have a love hate relationship with the writing style Elliot Page has chosen to use. His explanation is powerful and fresh but in my opinion it doesn't really work in prose form. It makes the novel feel too sporadic and random, the only time the novel flows very well is the last few chapters which all sort of connect. The ending chapters are great but the beginning and the middle are all tangled and messy. I really think I would love this story more if it had the expected style of a memoir or a story. Elliot's trying to tell a story but due to how out of order everything is it's super hard to process. The style tries to be engaging and get across Elliots intention but instead it all spins into something clumsy and clunky. I do appreciate it for being really unique though.
If it wasn't for those two things this honestly would be a five star read. First I have to praise the fact that Elliot shares his whole experience and not just his trans experience. People might complain but despite being in the past it was important Elliot talked about his sexuality and his experience coming out back then. Its like if you told me to not talk about my experience discovering I was Bi just because I now discovered I'm Aro-Ace. Everyone's experience is valid and important especially if they've lived it. It made it feel like I was reading someone's genuine journey and that the missing puzzle piece was found. The most intresting aspect of Elliot sharing his full coming out journey is that it showed the different experiences that come from being a queer woman and a trans man. It is very educational and informative because of this.
Next I have to praise the authenticity and honesty. Memoirs are very honest and raw but they don't have to be. It's very admirable and good. Elliot is very honest throughout all of the novel and shares with the readers perfectly his experience in a way that suits him. He unapologetically is himself as he writes and as a result it allows the reader to connect with the audience. It's also really talented the way he's able to authentically pour his personality into the Pages and make sure the world can know his story. I also love how he is so honest about the abuse he faced from his family and that he doesn't sugar coat any of the experiences he went through. It's very easy to sugar coat and down play your truama but Elliot realistically addresses it and how it shaped him and his adult life. If you want an authentic memoir full of personality than this one is definitely worth giving a try.
Finally I have to praise the creativity and inventivity. As stated in the authors note Trans Experiences aren't linear so even if it's a bit clunky I really appreciate how Elliot has reflected that in his writing. All the stories shared are little fruits that make up the Elliot Page tree. It's hard to process without a reading journal but it's very engaging reading the sort of flashback recollections. It's even more effective if you read the audiobook narrated by him. Privy to Trans people's experiences Elliot tries to make the Memoir different from the typical norm expected of celebrity memoirs. Reflecting the whole message of the book and reflecting how his experience is different from other people. He also flows the book in a way that every chapter title connects to a story he retells. Wait till you get the context of Heavenly Daddy it's so worth it 😂. Elliot has decided to own his Memoir and I'm here for it.
A fantastic memoir that shows the scrambled journey of Elliot Page and his perseverance in accepting his gender identity. Its a very reflective and emotional novel that will fit even harder if you are queer or trans yourself. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's a hundred percent worth giving it a chance
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Self harm, Dysphoria, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Stalking, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
stevia333k's review
4.25
Anyways, after a while certain parts about being trans were like oh good my transfemme self isn't alone.
The relationships though & the shadow work kinda went over my head because I'm aromantic but the workplace accident (because of how wreckless the directors were to black & queer lives) helped connect me to the kind of stuff he meant, so I am thankful he included workplace incidents like that.
Also the memoir isn't told as chronologically, so basically if you're taking notes then I recommend trying to make a character list sort of glossary since the time dimension doesn't sort them, but some segments are like public letters.
Graphic: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Dysphoria, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, War, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Confinement, Death, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Cancer, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Blood, Hate crime, Sexual content, Transphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Gore, Grief, Body horror, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Self harm
laughingrecord's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Medical content, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Misogyny, Bullying, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use
Moderate: Blood
badbadwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual content, Medical content, Dysphoria, Bullying, Homophobia, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual harassment
clarelou07's review against another edition
3.5
- The chapters feel like short stories, scattered throughout Elliot's life
- There is a lot about sex and relationships (which makes sense given Page's coming out as gay paving the way to be himself). However, there are some sex scenes from their younger years which read as sexual abuse. Beware if this is a trigger.
- As a Southern queer nonbinary person, Elliot's reflection on sexuality and gender was refreshing to read. I wish the world were kinder to exploration like this, and I'm happy Page exists publicly to share his story.
- While wanting to love this, the book was okay for me. I'm generally not a memoir person, but wanted to give this a shot.
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Car accident, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Addiction, Drug use, Medical content, Mental illness, Bullying, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Stalking, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
niquee3317's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Self harm
Moderate: Eating disorder, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Bullying, and Stalking