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2.82 AVERAGE
2.82 AVERAGE
I struggled with this one. I really wanted to love it as much as I loved Lies We Tell Ourselves. Very well written story, especially the characters, I can really visualise them. But I didn't like the two main characters much. They couldn't make up their minds about anything, I understand that going to college/uni is a confusing time, even more so with gender nonconformity, but it got very frustrating at times.
I have learnt a lot though about gender pronouns and labels, this book goes VERY in depth about it. So much so I was spinning in circles as the character goes around trying everything. The author definitely knew what they were talking about (see what I did there)!
2.5/3
I have learnt a lot though about gender pronouns and labels, this book goes VERY in depth about it. So much so I was spinning in circles as the character goes around trying everything. The author definitely knew what they were talking about (see what I did there)!
2.5/3
This book shows how realistic trans characters don't have to be likeable, and that by representation we don't mean just perfect people who know everything about trans issues.
As a novel, though, it's hard to enjoy it when you're constantly frustrated with both of the main characters. The way their view points changed felt like a bit of a cop out for me, at least in the scenes when it happened really fast.
It's good to show that trans people are confused about the myriad of labels and about our own identities and that not all of us study queer theory (say they that study queer theory). But I didn't enjoy the book almost at all.
As a novel, though, it's hard to enjoy it when you're constantly frustrated with both of the main characters. The way their view points changed felt like a bit of a cop out for me, at least in the scenes when it happened really fast.
It's good to show that trans people are confused about the myriad of labels and about our own identities and that not all of us study queer theory (say they that study queer theory). But I didn't enjoy the book almost at all.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First things first, I was so excited to read a book about these particular themes, on the one hand, dealing with a long-distance relationship but more importantly, to learn more about what it means to be genderqueer. I probably should have read the reviews first, because I didn't learn much. I disliked most of the characters, they came across as pretty one-dimensional to me. I particularly disliked T, I don't know why, I just couldn't connect with her/him/T and a lot of what she/he/T did and said annoyed me. But there were a few aspects of the story that I enjoyed, particularly the pain and hurt they both felt as they left for university. I shouldn't have enjoyed those parts, should I? Oh well!
Full review on my blog:
http://originalbooker.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/what-we-left-behind-robin-talley.html
First things first, I was so excited to read a book about these particular themes, on the one hand, dealing with a long-distance relationship but more importantly, to learn more about what it means to be genderqueer. I probably should have read the reviews first, because I didn't learn much. I disliked most of the characters, they came across as pretty one-dimensional to me. I particularly disliked T, I don't know why, I just couldn't connect with her/him/T and a lot of what she/he/T did and said annoyed me. But there were a few aspects of the story that I enjoyed, particularly the pain and hurt they both felt as they left for university. I shouldn't have enjoyed those parts, should I? Oh well!
Full review on my blog:
http://originalbooker.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/what-we-left-behind-robin-talley.html
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were some frustrating parts, but the author really nailed the questioning aspect.
I wanted to love this book because I love to see some representation. But unfortunately the representation was misguided at best and offensive at worst. I understand that identities outside of the gender (and sexuality) binaries are something that many people might not understand, but huge chunks of this book were focused on what felt like educating the reader. Pretty much every conversation Toni has involves discussion different identity definitions and it gets exhausting quick. I understand trying to show that T is processing a lot in their own identity struggle, but I just found it to come off like an encyclopedia of labels often. It was forced within T's social group, rather than organically presenting itself. I get that it's a huge part of what they're all going through during this highlighted year, but there didn't seem to be a single interaction that doesn't revolve around analyzing and labeling their identities or relationships.
There were a lot of other diverse characters thrown into the mix, but very few of them seemed to be well done. Most involved portraying huge stereotypes. There are jabs of judgment toward other people constantly despite this being a novel that is heavily focused on coming to terms with one's own self.
I had really been looking forward to reading more of Talley's writing, but after this I'm not sure that I will. I appreciate someone recognizing the need for diversity, but this poor representation doesn't feel like progress.
There were a lot of other diverse characters thrown into the mix, but very few of them seemed to be well done. Most involved portraying huge stereotypes. There are jabs of judgment toward other people constantly despite this being a novel that is heavily focused on coming to terms with one's own self.
I had really been looking forward to reading more of Talley's writing, but after this I'm not sure that I will. I appreciate someone recognizing the need for diversity, but this poor representation doesn't feel like progress.
Talley’s What We Left Behind is immensely readable. Read my review here
Link goes live November 3, 2015
Link goes live November 3, 2015
Robin Talley has done it again.
This book is fantastic. If I had had books like this one to read while I was growing up, I would have felt much more comfortable in my own skin and maybe even normal. I was so far in the closet as a teenager and I had no idea that there were other transboys out there. Reading about Tori and Co. would have changed my life back then.
I am so happy that there are fantastic authors like Robin Talley out there who are changing YA Lit and finally forcing it to become more inclusive of everyone, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation.
I wish I could write an eloquent review but really, this book hit so close to home for me that I don't know what else to say or how to say it. So just pretend I am in front of you and giving this book a well-deserved standing ovation.
This book is fantastic. If I had had books like this one to read while I was growing up, I would have felt much more comfortable in my own skin and maybe even normal. I was so far in the closet as a teenager and I had no idea that there were other transboys out there. Reading about Tori and Co. would have changed my life back then.
I am so happy that there are fantastic authors like Robin Talley out there who are changing YA Lit and finally forcing it to become more inclusive of everyone, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation.
I wish I could write an eloquent review but really, this book hit so close to home for me that I don't know what else to say or how to say it. So just pretend I am in front of you and giving this book a well-deserved standing ovation.