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freyaan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
saritaadam's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It broke my heart
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Rape, Death, Violence, Transphobia, Sexual content, Sexism, Police brutality, Misogyny, Deadnaming, Medical content, Grief, Outing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Vomit, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia, and Gore
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria, and Suicide
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
nathalie_tl's review against another edition
5.0
an aching, emotional journey from start to finish, taking you from unflinching, devastating brutality to soaring hope. no main character has ever felt so real to me before. an absolute must-read for anyone interested in queer literature (and honestly for everyone else as well)
brnineworms's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
“You’re more than just neither, honey. There’s other ways to be than either-or.”
Brutal and efficient sketches that amass to something quite substantial. Dated in some ways but nonetheless a groundbreaking representation of gender nonconformity. Jess is a flawed and compelling protagonist. The story follows her life as a working class butch in America in the latter half of the twentieth century. It’s essentially a series of anecdotes, progressing from one job to another or one partner to another (it’s more engaging than I make it sound, I promise). The one thing tying it all together (besides Jess as a character) is the theme of change, summed up nicely in this quote: “things don’t change back [...] they just keep changing.” It works well, it’s a skilfully crafted novel.
I’m really glad I finally read this book. I can see why it’s considered a classic of lesbian/trans literature.
CONTENT WARNINGS: homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, racism, antisemitism, violence, sexual harassment and rape, police brutality, imprisonment, institutionalisation, homelessness, injury, suicide
abasdeo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
uryun's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Everyone should read this book. Everyone. Especially if you are queer. This book is a gift that I will forever be grateful for.
I have no words.
I have no words.
katieeeee's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lunarflare's review
5.0
10(+my beating heart, all my organs, and the warmth strength and tenderness of my limbs)/10
eclipsingbinarystars's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5