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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Gender is Really Strange is a short nonfiction comic that dives deep into the messiness of gender identity. It is surprisingly very comprehensive, covering medical, psychological, and mental factors, among others. It definitely has more depth in the medical aspects. The illustrations are gorgeous.
As helpful and illuminating as this book is, it feels like some sentences are lifted directly from an academic/scientific paper. I wish it is written in a more accessible English. It's not really biology beginner friendly. eARC provided by NetGalley & Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
As helpful and illuminating as this book is, it feels like some sentences are lifted directly from an academic/scientific paper. I wish it is written in a more accessible English. It's not really biology beginner friendly. eARC provided by NetGalley & Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
"Gender is Really Strange" written by Teddy G. Goetz and illustrated by Sophie Standing is a part of the "...Really Strange" series and provides an in-depth yet moderately approachable introduction to the complicated subject that is gender. Including multiple citations and sources, "Gender is Really Strange" reminds me of an illustrated research paper that takes the reader through the psychology, sociology, physiology, anatomy, and cultural concepts of gender in the modern era, within history, and across cultures. This latter part really stuck out to me because decolonizing gender is something that is incredibly important within this subject and is often forgotten about.
Now, I read this graphic novel late at night and, if it weren't for the fact that I'm a Transmasc Psychology Grad Student whose research interests revolve around the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I would've easily gotten lost. This isn't a casual read. While "Gender is Really Strange" remains an introductory book to the complicated subject that is gender, I would recommend this more for late teens/early twenties and upwards because of the medical jargon.
Nevertheless, this book is going to become an integral feature of my Trans book collection upon release and I look forward to checking the rest of the previously published "...Really Strange" series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now, I read this graphic novel late at night and, if it weren't for the fact that I'm a Transmasc Psychology Grad Student whose research interests revolve around the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I would've easily gotten lost. This isn't a casual read. While "Gender is Really Strange" remains an introductory book to the complicated subject that is gender, I would recommend this more for late teens/early twenties and upwards because of the medical jargon.
Nevertheless, this book is going to become an integral feature of my Trans book collection upon release and I look forward to checking the rest of the previously published "...Really Strange" series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was a surprising amount of information packed into such a short book! It is more like a series of infographics than a true graphic novel. I enjoyed the color palate, but the illustrations often felt impersonal or like they could have done more to add to the text, particularly for some of the more scientific parts.
I loved the emphasis on decolonizing gender and how a binary perspective on gender is something that historically did not exist across many cultures around the world. Also appreciated that neurodiversity got a mention! I would have been interested to see what could have been explained if the book was 2-3x as long (closer to the typical length of a graphic novel).
There was a surprising amount of information packed into such a short book! It is more like a series of infographics than a true graphic novel. I enjoyed the color palate, but the illustrations often felt impersonal or like they could have done more to add to the text, particularly for some of the more scientific parts.
I loved the emphasis on decolonizing gender and how a binary perspective on gender is something that historically did not exist across many cultures around the world. Also appreciated that neurodiversity got a mention! I would have been interested to see what could have been explained if the book was 2-3x as long (closer to the typical length of a graphic novel).
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A really lovely overview to the history and science of this topic. Very factual and straightforward while clearly stating every where that the science isn’t certain or been studied enough. The history parts did make me truly livid with much I already knew but lots I hadn’t yet.
A great introduction to a complicated matter that encourages personal growth and reflection in just 40 colorful pages.
A great introduction to a complicated matter that encourages personal growth and reflection in just 40 colorful pages.
Gender Is Really Strange was incredibly informative, enlightening, and beautifully illustrated. While I had a pretty intensive knowledge of gender and other personal identifiers, I learned so much about how society and white supremacy have impacted how we view gender today. I feel like this comic should be the intro to learning about gender identity — it really covered all of the bases, so to speak. Seeing neurodivergence mentioned throughout this book was also very validating for me, and I appreciate that inclusion as I can definitely say that being a bit “neurospicy” has affected the way I have viewed myself through my lifetime.
I was gifted an advance copy of this wonderful educational comic, thanks to NetGalley.
I was gifted an advance copy of this wonderful educational comic, thanks to NetGalley.
This is a fantastic starting point for anyone wishing to learn more about gender identity. In a quick 40 page graphic novel the author sums up everything from history and culture, to colonialism and its effect on gender perceptions/roles. With scientific and concise language, the book also contains, many sources which further demonstrate the lengths of research that have gone in to producing the book.
The book also contained discussion of neurodivergence and how it interacts with gender identities - something I rarely come across.
Overall the imagery and graphics were stunning with lots of gorgeous representation as well.
The book also contained discussion of neurodivergence and how it interacts with gender identities - something I rarely come across.
Overall the imagery and graphics were stunning with lots of gorgeous representation as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the advance reader copy.
This is a great book on gender and also a great place for people to start their own research into gender and societal ‘norms’.
The book has great illustrations and included resources and further reading to expand upon what the book has written about.
I would recommend this to everyone, no matter the age as it’s a good way to learn and also be aware of how many things can affect peoples self views.
This is a great book on gender and also a great place for people to start their own research into gender and societal ‘norms’.
The book has great illustrations and included resources and further reading to expand upon what the book has written about.
I would recommend this to everyone, no matter the age as it’s a good way to learn and also be aware of how many things can affect peoples self views.
informative
fast-paced