Reviews with content warning for Violence - Fèms magnifiques et dangereuses: Mémoires affabulées d'une fille trans

The fictionalized memoir genre can be so hit and miss, and this was definitely an example of how great they can be when well-executed. Under a layer of fantasy, Thom creates a real-feeling narrative with some hard-hitting subject matter. I loved the characters and how real everything felt, even in fantastic moments. The realities of transmisogyny and violence are all too real in today's world and Tom tells an oft-told story in a new and interesting way.

Content Warnings

ieemee's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

Content Warnings

ecox180's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

This book is a fictionalized memoir of a young Asian trans-girl who runs away from her home in the city of Gloom and finds solace in the sisterhood of trans-women who live and work on the Street of Miracles. The writing and story are very surreal, blending whimsy and fantasy with serious issues, such as transphobia, racism, sexual assault, police brutality, and violence against transwomen. It was so wonderfully written and overall a great narrative on transness and community.

Content Warnings

willows's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Both very real and very surreal at the same time. I liked how raw it was and how the fantasy elements just kind of made sense. I liked the portrayal of how seeing yourself as dangerous can be a bit of a defense mechanism-- I don't know, I think the portrayal of trauma in general was handled really well. Like it didn't sugarcoat it and the Hurt was there but it was just as much about healing and finding your power and community and a bunch of other things that just made it really hopeful. And for a book that could have been so heavy, it was also pretty fun. Very unique and well done, I loved it.

Content Warnings

vincci's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"Sometimes fiction is truer than facts, and the trouble is knowing which fictions are facts, and which facts are fictions."

Having just read I Hope We Choose Love and being a follower of Thom on social media for several years, this quote near the end of the book encapsulated how I felt as I was listening to it (audiobook) Every time I think something may have been a "fact" of Thom's life, she throws in some mermaids, magic, or another tidbit of "fiction".

Thom is masterful in her use of imagery and symbolism throughout the book. As a dietitian by trade, I particularly noticed her use of food/hunger imagery from the very first chapter. She also uses repetition often as a way to create rhythm and build intensity.

I thought the ending was particularly clever - I have a few days left of my loan from the library and I'm already re-listening to the book to catch what I've missed. I've never done this with another book before; that's how captivating it is.

Content Warnings

blackcatkai's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

CW: abuse, transphobia, death, self harm, sexual content, violence, medical content/trauma, racism, blood, casual ableism

this was a wild ride of a novel. what part is fantasy, what part is made up, what is real and what isn't? though that's probably not the point by any means, I loved the mix of magical realism and surrealism. different readers will probably interpret things their own way but a lot of it, to me, felt like ways for the MC to process the trauma and struggles she went through as a young trans girl who just ran away from home.

we've got girl gangs, mermaids, revenge plots, and found families. we've got struggles and hardships but also hope. cheering our MC on is so easy to do and you feel for her as she finds her place in the world and what she wants. I can see the fast paced writing/plot and the uncertainty of what is or isn't real putting some readers off, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Content Warnings

yaoipaddle's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Listened to the audiobook. It was just ok. A fun and quick listen.

Content Warnings

More...