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luce_b's review
5.0
Great book for any young person who has someone who is transgender in their life. Covers the topics of sexual identity, transgender, family dynamics, and politics told from a child/teen perspective.
teri_dost's review against another edition
5.0
Vůbec jsem nevěděla, co od téhle knihy čekat - je na ní neskutečná kritika, zvláště na název.
Ale pravda je, že už teď vím, že to bude jedna z nejlepších knih, které jsem letos četla a to i přes to, že není vůbec dokonalá a je tu nespočet věcí, které bych jí vytkla.
Příběh je vyprávěn z pohledu třináctiletého Sama, který obdivuje svého bratra Jasona, za matku má ministryni zahraničí a jeho táta ji dělá tajemníka. V životě moc nezapadá, ale má svého bratra, kterého obdivuje, a ten jim najednou oznámí, že se cítí být ženou.
Sam je perfektní vypravěč - je to v podstatě malý kluk, takže jeho reakce nemusí být ideální a líbí se mi, jak se autor celkově vypořádává s reakcemi okolí.
Prostředí politiky se může zdát zbytečné, ale podle mě tam sedí skvěle - někdy nepřijímáme určité věci kvůli tomu, že nám svět říká, že to není v pořádku a my nechceme vybočovat. A zrovna tohle mezi to patří.
K tomu názvu - myslím, že si kritiku nezaslouží. Po přečtení knihy zjistíte, že to vlastně dává smysl, ukazuje to, že pro okolí není vůbec lehké se s touhle změnou vyrovnat, a mimo jiné název přímo ukazuje, čemu se kniha věnuje.
Za mě tedy opravdu povedená kniha, která je překvapivě krátká a přesto se zdá, že je v ní vše, co má být.
Ale pravda je, že už teď vím, že to bude jedna z nejlepších knih, které jsem letos četla a to i přes to, že není vůbec dokonalá a je tu nespočet věcí, které bych jí vytkla.
Příběh je vyprávěn z pohledu třináctiletého Sama, který obdivuje svého bratra Jasona, za matku má ministryni zahraničí a jeho táta ji dělá tajemníka. V životě moc nezapadá, ale má svého bratra, kterého obdivuje, a ten jim najednou oznámí, že se cítí být ženou.
Sam je perfektní vypravěč - je to v podstatě malý kluk, takže jeho reakce nemusí být ideální a líbí se mi, jak se autor celkově vypořádává s reakcemi okolí.
Prostředí politiky se může zdát zbytečné, ale podle mě tam sedí skvěle - někdy nepřijímáme určité věci kvůli tomu, že nám svět říká, že to není v pořádku a my nechceme vybočovat. A zrovna tohle mezi to patří.
K tomu názvu - myslím, že si kritiku nezaslouží. Po přečtení knihy zjistíte, že to vlastně dává smysl, ukazuje to, že pro okolí není vůbec lehké se s touhle změnou vyrovnat, a mimo jiné název přímo ukazuje, čemu se kniha věnuje.
Za mě tedy opravdu povedená kniha, která je překvapivě krátká a přesto se zdá, že je v ní vše, co má být.
Spoiler
Tedy až na ten sluníčkový konec - trochu mě mrzí, že z kluka, který Sama jen šikanoval, se ve finále stal jeho nejlepší kamarád. Šikana je vážné téma a přesně tyhle happy endy z ní dělají menší problém, než jakým je, protože takové chování nic neomlouvá.allie_diana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A very interesting and emotional story, that I really enjoyed reading. Maybe it was a little too short
auggie_reads's review against another edition
I got like 9 pages in, and I had a bad feeling about how the book is written in past tense yet the main character still calls his sister “my brother *deadname*”, and decided to read some reviews. By the reviews I found out this book is incredibly transphobic, and as a trans person who uses books as an escape, this is really not something I would like to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Medical content, and Medical trauma
mariahhanley's review against another edition
1.0
I did actually read it. While I appreciate that it is from the perspective of a preteen and young teen whose ideas about what it means and is to be transgender may be ill-informed or problematic, this book is transphobic. Period. It gratuitously deadnames, sometimes multiple times on the page. Even after Jessica discusses her gender with her family, the book still includes “my brother Jason” over and over. I never once have thought of my brother as “my brother Name,” just “Name.” Including “my brother” over and over and over, on top of refusing to use Jessica’s name even after she has chosen it as her name is revolting. Her name is Jessica. Her. Name. Not “my brother’s name” or “his name.”
His author’s not makes it, if possible, worse. Write about what you know is the worst advice? Really? Really?! #Ownvoices would say differently. He can identify with a trans character because he too was different?
I bought this without thinking about the title or looking up the book and criticisms/reviews. I was excited it was by Boyne, as I liked Heart’s Invisible Furies a lot, but this makes me reevaluate how I feel about him as a writer. Pass.
His author’s not makes it, if possible, worse. Write about what you know is the worst advice? Really? Really?! #Ownvoices would say differently. He can identify with a trans character because he too was different?
I bought this without thinking about the title or looking up the book and criticisms/reviews. I was excited it was by Boyne, as I liked Heart’s Invisible Furies a lot, but this makes me reevaluate how I feel about him as a writer. Pass.
gir1n3xtdoor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
tom42's review
This is not a book about a transgender individual. This is a book that blames a transgender individual for ruining their family’s life. It is deeply offensive and reinforces tired stereotypes about gender and sexuality. It is not a book that will enhance the life of anyone who reads this. It definitely wont improve understanding of being transgendered.
This is the only book I’ve given no stars to and i regret reading it
This is the only book I’ve given no stars to and i regret reading it
thereadingwren's review
1.0
1/5
If you are not a cisgendered human then don’t read this. If you have ever questioned your gender then don’t read this. It is extremely triggering.
I identify as Agender (genderless) and came out to my family almost 6 months ago - maybe I shouldn’t have read this yet, maybe I should have waited until the coming out experience wasn’t so fresh in my mind. I’ve had it easier than Jessica, my family loves and supports me, but I can definitely relate to her struggle.
Every time she was misgendered or the wrong name was used it hurt my soul. The whole book basically spends every single page blaming Jessica for everything that goes wrong in the family’s lives. Even Sam (the highly unlikable main character) who apparently ‘adores’ his older sibling spends the book thinking Jessica is wrong, sick, and needs to ‘go back to normal’.
It’s utterly awful and disheartening.
I can see what this book is trying to do, to show how transgenderism affects families, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON THAT IS ACTUALLY TRANS!!!!!!!
I want to cry for Jessica, and this book makes me want to cry for myself because it makes me feel unaccepted and unloved.
If you are not a cisgendered human then don’t read this. If you have ever questioned your gender then don’t read this. It is extremely triggering.
I identify as Agender (genderless) and came out to my family almost 6 months ago - maybe I shouldn’t have read this yet, maybe I should have waited until the coming out experience wasn’t so fresh in my mind. I’ve had it easier than Jessica, my family loves and supports me, but I can definitely relate to her struggle.
Every time she was misgendered or the wrong name was used it hurt my soul. The whole book basically spends every single page blaming Jessica for everything that goes wrong in the family’s lives. Even Sam (the highly unlikable main character) who apparently ‘adores’ his older sibling spends the book thinking Jessica is wrong, sick, and needs to ‘go back to normal’.
It’s utterly awful and disheartening.
I can see what this book is trying to do, to show how transgenderism affects families, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON THAT IS ACTUALLY TRANS!!!!!!!
I want to cry for Jessica, and this book makes me want to cry for myself because it makes me feel unaccepted and unloved.
kiki_queen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bleakyrde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75