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2.82 AVERAGE
2.82 AVERAGE
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.
2.5
I commend this book for what it did. I really do, however I don't believe that it was executed in the right way. At the start of this book I believed that it was worthy of 4 maybe in 5 stars. Then the problems started to kick in.
Now I do not identify as genderqueer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian or any of the sexualities/genders mentioned in this book so I do not know how accurate these representations are. However I just believe that T's character was quite a dramatic and over the top person sometimes and it was very hard to handle.
Like I said before I commend this book for what it tried to do I just believe that it was not written very thoughtfully.
I commend this book for what it did. I really do, however I don't believe that it was executed in the right way. At the start of this book I believed that it was worthy of 4 maybe in 5 stars. Then the problems started to kick in.
Now I do not identify as genderqueer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian or any of the sexualities/genders mentioned in this book so I do not know how accurate these representations are. However I just believe that T's character was quite a dramatic and over the top person sometimes and it was very hard to handle.
Like I said before I commend this book for what it tried to do I just believe that it was not written very thoughtfully.
I liked Gretchen and increasingly couldn't stand Toni. I'm surprised I finished the book, probably just stubborn. Easy read, some interesting characters, but I felt a bit beaten over the head with the themes.
I don't usually read romance books, but YA is an exception. This author's previous book was outstanding, and I had high hopes for this one - one of the ARCs mysteriously went missing from my old job's office just before I left...
And I was not disappointed. The key thing about romance novels is that you have to care, and you have to believe in it. This novel achieved both. I was desperate for it to have a happy ending.
I also learnt a huge amount about queer issues like being genderqueer, the use of pronouns, dating someone who is transitioning, and how that all links in with the general angst and stress that comes from starting school and being a teenager. A combination of things I know well and things of which I am ignorant or embarrassed to ask about.
Recommended :)
And I was not disappointed. The key thing about romance novels is that you have to care, and you have to believe in it. This novel achieved both. I was desperate for it to have a happy ending.
I also learnt a huge amount about queer issues like being genderqueer, the use of pronouns, dating someone who is transitioning, and how that all links in with the general angst and stress that comes from starting school and being a teenager. A combination of things I know well and things of which I am ignorant or embarrassed to ask about.
Recommended :)
Honestly, it was hard even giving this book a full star. I didn't like Toni/y or Gretchen very much at all because their characters didn't seem developed at all. They met in the beginning without backstory and that was it. Myself being very educated on Transgender topics because someone in my own life is transgender, I didn't think the author knew what she was talking about. A lot was inaccurate in my opinion, to put it simply.
The use of pronouns by Toni/y was so inconsistent, switching from not using them, to they etc., to ze and hir, to using them as normal. It didn't make sense because Toni/y's character was so against them in the beginning but then he just gave up. To be blunt, it was just annoying.
I didn't like Toni/y because he became a jerk toward Gretchen and was so self centered all the time. Gretchen acted so much younger and less mature than her actual age because she was so naive and was afraid of asking questions. I honestly was more interested in Gretchen's roommate Samantha's story than this one. I was disappointed with what happened with Carroll because I thought he was going to be a true friend even though his character probably offended many people in the LGBT.
Overall, I find the book a little offensive and I think a lot of the content was inaccurate. I really wanted to like and relate to this book , but to be honest, it was just a mess.
This is all my opinion only after reading What We Left Behind by Robin Talley with absolutely no disrespect to the author!
The use of pronouns by Toni/y was so inconsistent, switching from not using them, to they etc., to ze and hir, to using them as normal. It didn't make sense because Toni/y's character was so against them in the beginning but then he just gave up. To be blunt, it was just annoying.
I didn't like Toni/y because he became a jerk toward Gretchen and was so self centered all the time. Gretchen acted so much younger and less mature than her actual age because she was so naive and was afraid of asking questions. I honestly was more interested in Gretchen's roommate Samantha's story than this one. I was disappointed with what happened with Carroll because I thought he was going to be a true friend even though his character probably offended many people in the LGBT.
Overall, I find the book a little offensive and I think a lot of the content was inaccurate. I really wanted to like and relate to this book , but to be honest, it was just a mess.
This is all my opinion only after reading What We Left Behind by Robin Talley with absolutely no disrespect to the author!
3,5*
I enjoyed this, I have some feelings about this book, but I also can't completely judge this book as a cis lesbian. I've personally thought for a while I was genderqueer myself but in the end I realized I wasn't. So I understood the struggle of Toni a little bit. I really liked that both main characters were flawed, I really liked Gretchen and had trouble really liking Toni. I found him incredibly selfish and self centered, yes it's hard to figure yourself out but shutting out your girlfriend and then being mad at her just isn't fair. Basically I was frustrated with that a lot.
I did like that this book was so diverse, trans characters, lesbians, poc, we need more of that in books. I really did enjoy the story and would recommend for people to read this, it just wasn't perfect.I want to talk about the thing that angered me the most and that was that Gretchen slept with Carell, stop making lesbians sleep with men for shock effect. It happens too often and just no, she's a lesbian, do not let her drunklingly sleep with a male, especially not a gay one. I found it a terrible mistake and just really felt myself being very angry. Overall a good read though, I'm glad this book is out here and tried to tackle these subjects.
I enjoyed this, I have some feelings about this book, but I also can't completely judge this book as a cis lesbian. I've personally thought for a while I was genderqueer myself but in the end I realized I wasn't. So I understood the struggle of Toni a little bit. I really liked that both main characters were flawed, I really liked Gretchen and had trouble really liking Toni. I found him incredibly selfish and self centered, yes it's hard to figure yourself out but shutting out your girlfriend and then being mad at her just isn't fair. Basically I was frustrated with that a lot.
I did like that this book was so diverse, trans characters, lesbians, poc, we need more of that in books. I really did enjoy the story and would recommend for people to read this, it just wasn't perfect.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
this is truly a contender for one of the most awful books ive ever read. the transphobia, the lesbophobia, the racism... every time i thought things couldnt get any worse they somehow managed to anyway ! i will never be touching another book by this author again.
The main characters weren't likable. Neither were their friends, mostly (Eli and Sam seemed okay?). T was especially annoying. The characters say really ignorant things sometimes, which makes sense because these are freshmen trying to figure stuff out. They say the wrong things, police each others identities and language in embarrassingly misguided ways, and are basically idiots.
The two main characters aren't "soulmates," so much as they're both so insecure and convinced the other is so much hotter/interesting/better than themselves that they bury every negative emotion in order to avoid arguing and upsetting the other. Also, T is obsessed with T, and G is obsessed with T, so they have that in common. At least they're both self-aware about it.
What I'm trying to say is that they were all jerks, and I enjoyed reading about their screw ups. They don't get trans/genderqueer/feminist/gender issues "right," but the little a-holes try.
The two main characters aren't "soulmates," so much as they're both so insecure and convinced the other is so much hotter/interesting/better than themselves that they bury every negative emotion in order to avoid arguing and upsetting the other. Also, T is obsessed with T, and G is obsessed with T, so they have that in common. At least they're both self-aware about it.
What I'm trying to say is that they were all jerks, and I enjoyed reading about their screw ups. They don't get trans/genderqueer/feminist/gender issues "right," but the little a-holes try.