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A review by anna_wa
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.5
I found out about this book because it was the #1 most banned book of 2021 - 22. It's funny, kind of, how people think that by banning a book they are getting it into less people's hands, but in fact it gets even more publicity that way and it probably wouldn't have made it into my hands if it WEREN'T the #1 most banned book of this past school year.
I have said before that I have a problem with finishing graphic novels too quickly at times and then don't "digest" them properly as a result, but this time I was able to spread this book out to 4 days and I'm glad because I was able to ruminate more on the things Kobabe talked about. I don't think this book should be slammed through in a day if you can help yourself (even though it's really good so I would understand if you couldn't stop yourself from plunging through it in one day).
One of the reasons cited for banning this book was the nude scenes and the lengthy discussions about genetalia. I am 100% certain that that was just a cop-out and not the real reason people wanted it banned, but I took it as my warning and you should too: yes, there is a lot of discussion about genetalia in this book. So if that squicks you out at all you shouldn't pick it up.
However, having said that, there aren't that many truly nude scenes. I mean yes they exist, but overall Kobabe just talks about genetalia and actually-nude scenes are not common. When they do exist, only one of them is from having sex with another person. 90% of them are non-sexual nudity.
This book is a collection of "days in the life". There is no punchline to these stories, no summary of the message you're supposed to take from each one. E just gives you the stories from throughout eir life (from childhood, adolescence, college, grad school, and beyond). At first I was caught off guard by this - since usually I read the type of graphic novel autobiography that tells me what The Point/Lesson is from each story, but I think I liked it this way.
And that's how the book ends too. There's no punch, no "I've figured it all out now, I'm good". It ends with the message that life is not over yet and e still have many more memories to make and many more things to learn about em-self. Which is definitely a message I love - because none of us "have it all figured out" ever, even if we think we do.
In a weird way I'm glad this book got banned so that I could find it. I am obviously not glad that it means less people who need to read its words will read it though.
I may not be able to relate to em, but I don't have to relate to every book to thoroughly enjoy it and feel like it made me think more about life in general. I will definitely be buying several copies of this and gifting it to friends & family who I think would also benefit from its pages (regardless of whether or not they relate).
I have said before that I have a problem with finishing graphic novels too quickly at times and then don't "digest" them properly as a result, but this time I was able to spread this book out to 4 days and I'm glad because I was able to ruminate more on the things Kobabe talked about. I don't think this book should be slammed through in a day if you can help yourself (even though it's really good so I would understand if you couldn't stop yourself from plunging through it in one day).
One of the reasons cited for banning this book was the nude scenes and the lengthy discussions about genetalia. I am 100% certain that that was just a cop-out and not the real reason people wanted it banned, but I took it as my warning and you should too: yes, there is a lot of discussion about genetalia in this book. So if that squicks you out at all you shouldn't pick it up.
However, having said that, there aren't that many truly nude scenes. I mean yes they exist, but overall Kobabe just talks about genetalia and actually-nude scenes are not common. When they do exist, only one of them is from having sex with another person. 90% of them are non-sexual nudity.
This book is a collection of "days in the life". There is no punchline to these stories, no summary of the message you're supposed to take from each one. E just gives you the stories from throughout eir life (from childhood, adolescence, college, grad school, and beyond). At first I was caught off guard by this - since usually I read the type of graphic novel autobiography that tells me what The Point/Lesson is from each story, but I think I liked it this way.
And that's how the book ends too. There's no punch, no "I've figured it all out now, I'm good". It ends with the message that life is not over yet and e still have many more memories to make and many more things to learn about em-self. Which is definitely a message I love - because none of us "have it all figured out" ever, even if we think we do.
In a weird way I'm glad this book got banned so that I could find it. I am obviously not glad that it means less people who need to read its words will read it though.
I may not be able to relate to em, but I don't have to relate to every book to thoroughly enjoy it and feel like it made me think more about life in general. I will definitely be buying several copies of this and gifting it to friends & family who I think would also benefit from its pages (regardless of whether or not they relate).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Transphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit