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anna_wa's review against another edition
4.5
I have said before that I have a problem with finishing graphic novels too quickly at times and then don't "digest" them properly as a result, but this time I was able to spread this book out to 4 days and I'm glad because I was able to ruminate more on the things Kobabe talked about. I don't think this book should be slammed through in a day if you can help yourself (even though it's really good so I would understand if you couldn't stop yourself from plunging through it in one day).
One of the reasons cited for banning this book was the nude scenes and the lengthy discussions about genetalia. I am 100% certain that that was just a cop-out and not the real reason people wanted it banned, but I took it as my warning and you should too: yes, there is a lot of discussion about genetalia in this book. So if that squicks you out at all you shouldn't pick it up.
However, having said that, there aren't that many truly nude scenes. I mean yes they exist, but overall Kobabe just talks about genetalia and actually-nude scenes are not common. When they do exist, only one of them is from having sex with another person. 90% of them are non-sexual nudity.
This book is a collection of "days in the life". There is no punchline to these stories, no summary of the message you're supposed to take from each one. E just gives you the stories from throughout eir life (from childhood, adolescence, college, grad school, and beyond). At first I was caught off guard by this - since usually I read the type of graphic novel autobiography that tells me what The Point/Lesson is from each story, but I think I liked it this way.
And that's how the book ends too. There's no punch, no "I've figured it all out now, I'm good". It ends with the message that life is not over yet and e still have many more memories to make and many more things to learn about em-self. Which is definitely a message I love - because none of us "have it all figured out" ever, even if we think we do.
In a weird way I'm glad this book got banned so that I could find it. I am obviously not glad that it means less people who need to read its words will read it though.
I may not be able to relate to em, but I don't have to relate to every book to thoroughly enjoy it and feel like it made me think more about life in general. I will definitely be buying several copies of this and gifting it to friends & family who I think would also benefit from its pages (regardless of whether or not they relate).
Graphic: Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Transphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit
sarahmae531's review against another edition
4.5
A super quick read, read in one sitting, and would definitely recommend to any one, especially those looking to learn more about gender identities.
Moderate: Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Medical content
Minor: Vomit
hayleyvem's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, Bullying, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol
sammy_nor's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia and Vomit
kiarack's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Vomit and Blood
acedragonrider1's review against another edition
4.75
(Also I included minor trigger warning for incest because there is a moment where people talked about shipping Sam and Dean from Supernatural)
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Blood, Incest, Sexual content, and Vomit
delz's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Dysphoria, Sexual content, Medical content, and Vomit
purplatypus's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Dysphoria, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Outing, Pregnancy, and Vomit
shadereads's review against another edition
5.0
I will definitely be picking up my own copy of this, and showing it to people.
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Vomit
kkenna7's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Dysphoria, Blood, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Medical trauma, Excrement, Vomit, and Body shaming