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ineffable97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault
shortstackz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ming's character development across the whole book brings me so much joy for her, as she navigates her gender identity and finds her playwriter voice. I loved the added characterization of Ming being an immigrant from a country that would deny her existence, and discusses the very real inability to return to her home country (Malaysia) as herself. Ming brings up a lot of logistics of being a trans person, particularly a trans immigrant, that many cis-people (myself included) have had the privilege to not notice.
In contrast we also see Tom's perspective, which I think is really valuable to see how a cis-partner might cope with their partner transitioning during the relationship. Tom identifies as a gay man, and that complicates his relationship with Ming when she begins to transition. I found sitting in Tom's head really interesting to see how he navigates his love for Ming, and his attraction towards masculine features.
Ming and Tom love each other so much, and the bittersweet journey through Ming's transition is so beautifully complicated and heart-wrenching. At no point did I think either character wanted to deny Ming her gender identity, but love is more complicated than gender alone.
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming and Death of parent
Minor: Deportation
bebobel's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming and Eating disorder
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
Thank you to my friend @maddysbookopinions for speaking so highly of this book & moving it up on my TBR!
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Grief, and Transphobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Car accident, and Death of parent
anaheeta's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Transphobia, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Dementia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Cancer, and Infidelity
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Grief, Drug use, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
readwithchar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Transphobia
ukponge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Death, Death of parent, and Deadnaming
milliemarilyn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored the characters in this book, I could read about Tom and Ming forever. The writing is raw and tender, the characters are increasingly vulnerable as they move into adulthood and try to figure out who they are and what that means for not only themselves but the others in their lives. Overall this is a stunning and real exploration of youth, queerness, transness, friendship and relationships and I have nothing negative to say about it, hence the 5 star review.
Moderate: Eating disorder and Death
Minor: Death of parent
hanhantap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Transphobia, and Death
Minor: Terminal illness and Mental illness