Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - 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.

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salemander's review against another edition

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5.0

this is a love letter to every single trans person who is just trying to figure it out. so beautiful and so inspiring

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ecox180's review against another edition

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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.

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yaoipaddle's review against another edition

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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.

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lilawsahar's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad 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

I felt like I was reading fairytales/folklore/gossip about the femme trans experience. I loved how the author portrayed her story with witches, mermaids, gods, etc. I’m happy that she found a community that was accepting of her right away but sad that it led her to violence. I liked that she had separate chapters about her ghost, pocketknife, and sister. I wanted to be her younger sister because of the wise advice she gave her sister (plus the cute gifts she sent along with her letters).

I hope the author is finding herself and she doesn’t plan to run away from good things forever :) I recommend listening to the audio. It played into the folklore theme for me.

Note: I still confused on her relationship with Kamaia (?) Sorry for the bad spelling. I listened to the audio.

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alouette's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful fast-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? Yes

4.25

fever trip! a good one!

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abbie_'s review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

3.25

Equal parts fun and sobering! It was a little too fast and surreal for me, but I did love it when the trans girl gang was formed and they wreaked havoc. I also liked the little side quests in the forms of letters back to the MC's little sister, and the odes to her penknife.

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