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halaagmod's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Admittedly, I don't read very many stories that have transgender characters. Not for lack of wanting to, mind you, but because even though more stories than every are being written with us in them, the number of quality trans books—the kind that don't stereotype our existence or water down our identities just to our transness—is unfortunately still very, very low, even for own-voices fiction.
Surprisingly enough, despite being written by a cis author a little over a decade ago (usually a sign of caution), Beautiful Music for Ugly Children is a complete breath of fresh air. No matter what was being thrown at him, Gabe stayed as Gabe, and he's presented to the reader with his own person with unique dreams, interests, goals, and emotions. You don't forget that he's trans, but his transness is not the only thing that matters or drives the plot—his friends, his family, his show and connection with music are all just as important, just as fleshed out and dynamic despite the fragility and heartache that comes as an ingrained part of transition. It's absolutely brilliant and it's shocking how well that Mills is able to capture the trans experience and get into the mind of a teenage boy struggling with his identity and self-worth. I needed that as a young trans kid.
Of course, it's far from a perfect book, and I definitely understand the criticisms coming from other trans readers—much of the information over a decade after publication is very much outdated, it does feature many of the tropes I do tend to loathe from trans-centered books, and some of the language used in the book might offend some (though, to be honest, it's very accurate for a small, Midwestern town like Gabe's). But in my opinion, it doesn't exactly need to be perfect to tell this kind of story. I wish there were more books like this one.
Surprisingly enough, despite being written by a cis author a little over a decade ago (usually a sign of caution), Beautiful Music for Ugly Children is a complete breath of fresh air. No matter what was being thrown at him, Gabe stayed as Gabe, and he's presented to the reader with his own person with unique dreams, interests, goals, and emotions. You don't forget that he's trans, but his transness is not the only thing that matters or drives the plot—his friends, his family, his show and connection with music are all just as important, just as fleshed out and dynamic despite the fragility and heartache that comes as an ingrained part of transition. It's absolutely brilliant and it's shocking how well that Mills is able to capture the trans experience and get into the mind of a teenage boy struggling with his identity and self-worth. I needed that as a young trans kid.
Of course, it's far from a perfect book, and I definitely understand the criticisms coming from other trans readers—much of the information over a decade after publication is very much outdated, it does feature many of the tropes I do tend to loathe from trans-centered books, and some of the language used in the book might offend some (though, to be honest, it's very accurate for a small, Midwestern town like Gabe's). But in my opinion, it doesn't exactly need to be perfect to tell this kind of story. I wish there were more books like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
Minor: Vomit
jenna_justi2004's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Homophobia, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Deadnaming, and Bullying
anacereading's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Hate crime, Grief, and Homophobia
Minor: Medical content and Vomit
random_shoes's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Bullying, Deadnaming, Pedophilia, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Cursing
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