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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This was a hilarious and incredibly enjoyable memoir of Lorka's experiences with sex, gender identity, and the ridiculousness of life. Lorka references some difficult childhood experiences but doesn't spend a lot of time there, if that's a concern for you; be prepared for a lot of very sexually explicit content, though! (This is pretty clear from the opening chapter, haha.) I read the whole first half of this book in one sitting and laughed out loud countless times. The only challenge I had with the book was that it jumps around in time quite a bit, and I wasn't able to get a good enough sense of the trajectory of Lorka's life to orient myself to time and place and which girlfriend was in the picture at the time with each new chapter. But on the whole, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Although it jumped time periods a bit it was raw and honest mixed with courage and humour
funny
informative
medium-paced
This book is utterly hilarious. Some stories I found myself telling to my LGBTQ friends as we laughed in commiseration. The story of Holly's life, not understanding exactly how she was different from others and then eventually trying to live her truth, is both humorous and deep. This one gets you with laughter and tears, and Lorka's dry wit and sarcasm draw you in to her incredible writing. This is an important and valuable memoir in the vein of Sissy and Fun Home. A wonderful addition to the LGBTQ literature shelf.
Handsome is probably the best book I read in 2020.
Some stories take a while to get into. This one had me hooked from the opening dedication (to both Lorka's father and George Michael). By about page 16, I was screaming with a mixture of laughter and shock.
Told in a series of very entertaining essays, Lorka's memoir explores their lifelong journey through... everything: gender, partners, family, careers. You know, the usual stuff. But the thing is, Lorka can really write. I would happily read about them going cushion shopping, that's how much delight they manage to infuse the page with. I honestly don't want to give a single second of it away, so I'll simply say this: read it.
I get the impression they are cheeky as all hell (and probably a bit of nightmare to date at times) but there is so much heart in this book that you can't help but love them. I'm really looking forward to re-reading this book at some point in the future and getting to enjoy it all over again.
Some stories take a while to get into. This one had me hooked from the opening dedication (to both Lorka's father and George Michael). By about page 16, I was screaming with a mixture of laughter and shock.
Told in a series of very entertaining essays, Lorka's memoir explores their lifelong journey through... everything: gender, partners, family, careers. You know, the usual stuff. But the thing is, Lorka can really write. I would happily read about them going cushion shopping, that's how much delight they manage to infuse the page with. I honestly don't want to give a single second of it away, so I'll simply say this: read it.
I get the impression they are cheeky as all hell (and probably a bit of nightmare to date at times) but there is so much heart in this book that you can't help but love them. I'm really looking forward to re-reading this book at some point in the future and getting to enjoy it all over again.
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
My TikTok review: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyhitchcockpairings/video/7244349861259201838
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Wow. “Handsome” took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Just as soon as I was laughing my ass off, I went down to a darker place, and then back up again. Author Holly Lorka’s twists and turns were impeccably timed. And she kept me glued to my itty bitty Kindle phone app from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down.
This is a full-on complicated adventure, and I was down for the 3-hour ride.
Nurse by day, comedian by night, Holly’s humorous mini-memoir essays are about all the complicated things in life. She gets real about sex, shame, sadness, feeling “other” and wanting more. And she’ll educate you on what it’s like to grow up with gender dysmorphia. Plus, all of the issues one must face in the quest to become their true selves. It was heartbreaking to witness parts of Holly’s journey, but liberating to read her happy-ever-after ending.
Basically I loved everything about her stories about being an awkward girl boy. I especially love her self-deprecating references about growing up in the 1970s and 80s. She had me rolling on the floor as she was talking about humping her giant Barbie and finding her vagina. Then I felt for her as she was humiliated and bullied on the bus. And then I was shocked a few times and wanted to look away (hello, harvesting eyeballs and buying strap-on black penises).
Speaking of sex toys… This is a fair warning to the prudes and tender-hearted. “Handsome” will make you blush, and it will make you think. If you are uptight or unaccepting in any way, then this is a hard pass.
As you can likely tell, I’m a fan. This is an especially poignant read for the LGBTQI community as well as friends and supporters. If you’re like me and haven’t been exposed to many people who are transgender or who have gender dysmorphia, this is a beautiful, brilliant start.
We are all just wandering around this planet, looking for a way to belong, to fit in. It starts by truly knowing ourselves. And then sharing our deepest secrets, and admitting to others who we really are.
Special thanks to She Writes Press, via NetGalley, for a gifted electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a full-on complicated adventure, and I was down for the 3-hour ride.
Nurse by day, comedian by night, Holly’s humorous mini-memoir essays are about all the complicated things in life. She gets real about sex, shame, sadness, feeling “other” and wanting more. And she’ll educate you on what it’s like to grow up with gender dysmorphia. Plus, all of the issues one must face in the quest to become their true selves. It was heartbreaking to witness parts of Holly’s journey, but liberating to read her happy-ever-after ending.
Basically I loved everything about her stories about being an awkward girl boy. I especially love her self-deprecating references about growing up in the 1970s and 80s. She had me rolling on the floor as she was talking about humping her giant Barbie and finding her vagina. Then I felt for her as she was humiliated and bullied on the bus. And then I was shocked a few times and wanted to look away (hello, harvesting eyeballs and buying strap-on black penises).
Speaking of sex toys… This is a fair warning to the prudes and tender-hearted. “Handsome” will make you blush, and it will make you think. If you are uptight or unaccepting in any way, then this is a hard pass.
As you can likely tell, I’m a fan. This is an especially poignant read for the LGBTQI community as well as friends and supporters. If you’re like me and haven’t been exposed to many people who are transgender or who have gender dysmorphia, this is a beautiful, brilliant start.
We are all just wandering around this planet, looking for a way to belong, to fit in. It starts by truly knowing ourselves. And then sharing our deepest secrets, and admitting to others who we really are.
Special thanks to She Writes Press, via NetGalley, for a gifted electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.