Reviews

Growing Up Queer in Australia by Benjamin Law

hannahjbourke's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

I really and truly loved reading this book! Hearing a spectrum of stories as broad as our community was incredibly insightful, at times relatable, funny and sad, it has everything. For queer Australians, the Australian context in which these stories are based is a comfort, and allows for you to feel more deeply connected to your Australian queer community. As if the writers are your friends, telling you of their experiences and wisdom.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia

Minor: Sexual assault

fletchie's review against another edition

4.0

As with any anthology collection, some stories and voices vibed with me and some didn't. Ultimately, this is worth dipping into for any queer person. The varied perspectives on queer Australia, including many, many intersectional viewpoints, will provide anyone reading with a little more insight into the those that surround us.

I'd encourage not only fellow queer people to read this, but cishet people as well.

byrix's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

lowlandsbeach's review against another edition

4.0

Edited by Benjamin Law, so lots of stories from lots of authors of the whole rainbow of LGBTIQA+ Very readable. One of the earlier stories was quite graphic on young male sex life, so not something I'd choose to read any more about, one on this theme was enough. Lots and lots of other stories tho. I liked the trans story and the stories about family acceptance

frankie_s's review against another edition

4.0

Love reading this series on audiobook

faith_9's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

sophiamellink08's review against another edition

4.0

This was definitely an affirming read, and very eye-opening to perspectives that I haven’t considered before.

The essays in this novel were often short and very readable, allowing me to squeeze in little bits of reading here and there, even when I didn’t have a lot of time. The accounts in this book are painfully honest and sometimes confronting— but reading them fostered an immense solidarity.

Migrant accounts, and stories written by Indigenous Australians about what it was like to grow up LGBTQI+ in Australia were especially compelling— I really enjoyed the process of learning those histories. Overall, this book definitely does what it set out to do— I wish I’d read this book when I was growing up, and am glad for having done so now.

kate_schafer's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

mavclair's review against another edition

4.0

It’s so hard to rate a collection of essays, but I think that’s not what’s important about this book. It’s a book to save, to recognise and, to feel less alone with.

ruth_rb's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

Must read for queer Australians.