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alexayres47's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Eating disorder, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Religious bigotry, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, and Vomit
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
2.0
I'm almost scared to write this review.
Before you read anything in this review, everything written here is written with respect, and love. I genuinely mean no offence by anything I've written here.
Elliot Page is a trans-man who is an actor, though I would argue that it might be easier to just call him a man. This said, being trans comes up in the book.
I remember when gay marriage was becoming a thing in America, there was a radio host in Dallas who made the point that there's no way you'd be gay in Texas, unless it was innate, because of all the c**p you get by coming out in the state.
I'd say the same about Elliot Page. Having read the book, he is absolutely, positively trans, and being trans is a thing. If you had any doubt, this book will assuage those doubts completely. You're going to have no doubts about it.
This said, the story isn't... particularly linear. He jumps between time periods, retells stories, and references some stories repeatedly. I'd like to have seen a perhaps more linear story, with stories from his life being told… to their conclusion, and not retold maybe?
While I'm talking about the structure of the story, I'd've like some background. His parents weren't supportive, but I'd've like to understand them. Were they religious? Where was their antipathy coming from? It's stated, but not explored.
Finally, I mean no disrespect, but it can read like being gay/trans is the only thing. I have no doubt that Elliot is trans, but... he's one of the actors I'd have watched in any film he's in, and perhaps I might have liked it just focusing on that on occasion, maybe?
Before you read anything in this review, everything written here is written with respect, and love. I genuinely mean no offence by anything I've written here.
Elliot Page is a trans-man who is an actor, though I would argue that it might be easier to just call him a man. This said, being trans comes up in the book.
I remember when gay marriage was becoming a thing in America, there was a radio host in Dallas who made the point that there's no way you'd be gay in Texas, unless it was innate, because of all the c**p you get by coming out in the state.
I'd say the same about Elliot Page. Having read the book, he is absolutely, positively trans, and being trans is a thing. If you had any doubt, this book will assuage those doubts completely. You're going to have no doubts about it.
This said, the story isn't... particularly linear. He jumps between time periods, retells stories, and references some stories repeatedly. I'd like to have seen a perhaps more linear story, with stories from his life being told… to their conclusion, and not retold maybe?
While I'm talking about the structure of the story, I'd've like some background. His parents weren't supportive, but I'd've like to understand them. Were they religious? Where was their antipathy coming from? It's stated, but not explored.
Finally, I mean no disrespect, but it can read like being gay/trans is the only thing. I have no doubt that Elliot is trans, but... he's one of the actors I'd have watched in any film he's in, and perhaps I might have liked it just focusing on that on occasion, maybe?