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A review by moonstrucksue
What We Left Behind by Robin Talley
1.0
This book will contain spoilers, and quotes from the book.
When a book opened up with a relatable litany such as these:
You’re bound to think, “Oh, hell yes. This shit might be good.” It better be good.
However, What We Left Behind drastically failed in every standard that I was highly holding itself into. There are a lot of offensive and alarming situations that made my skin crawled.
There is a prominent character in the story, named Caroll. He is gay, and he keeps using transphobic and lespobic slurs. He never got called out for that. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t give you the right to undermine your peers, especially since you have an inkling about each other’s struggles. He could also be seen a handful of times saying really awful transphobic shit, being passed as a cheap joke. There should’ve been a trigger warning for this.
An icing on top, one of the character also said something very biphobic. Alas, this character also never got called out.
I understand books aren’t perfect, but when you’re representing a single group, you don’t have to throw the rest of the LGBTQ+ clause under the bus to make your book relatable.
The prose the author was aiming to deliver was about how difficult it is to figure out your sexuality and gender identity. It’s daunting and confusing. Though, sadly the execution of it was perplexing, instead of being enlightened I feel oddly winded up. I see that’s the reason why a lot of readers felt bereft with What We Left Behind.
Lastly, the relationship between the two main characters had so much potential. But, once again, it failed disastrously. There’s a lot of undermining on both of their parts, it’s painstaking to read. If you're looking for a book with a good f/f or wlw, this is not it. I supposed, the purpose of it was to show how to navigate relationship when you’re a teen. Even though, that’s the case Gretchen easily become very dear to me. I just wish the story was fleshed out.
Jessie Devine’s and Adriana’s review perfectly captured what went wrong with What We Left Behind. I highly recommend reading their nuanced thoughts.
When a book opened up with a relatable litany such as these:
You’re bound to think, “Oh, hell yes. This shit might be good.” It better be good.
However, What We Left Behind drastically failed in every standard that I was highly holding itself into. There are a lot of offensive and alarming situations that made my skin crawled.
There is a prominent character in the story, named Caroll. He is gay, and he keeps using transphobic and lespobic slurs. He never got called out for that. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t give you the right to undermine your peers, especially since you have an inkling about each other’s struggles. He could also be seen a handful of times saying really awful transphobic shit, being passed as a cheap joke. There should’ve been a trigger warning for this.
An icing on top, one of the character also said something very biphobic. Alas, this character also never got called out.
I nod. “So is Inez bi or what?”
“Last I heard, she identifies as heteroflexible.” Derek laughs again.
“So she’s a step up for me. My last relationship ended because it turned out his idea of bi meant ‘screwing every other guy within a hundred-foot radius and then lying about it.’”
I pause with my drink halfway to my mouth. “Wait, what did you say?”
“Oh, it’s nothing bad. Heteroflexible means she mostly likes guys, but not always. She thinks it’s more accurate for her than bi.”
I understand books aren’t perfect, but when you’re representing a single group, you don’t have to throw the rest of the LGBTQ+ clause under the bus to make your book relatable.
The prose the author was aiming to deliver was about how difficult it is to figure out your sexuality and gender identity. It’s daunting and confusing. Though, sadly the execution of it was perplexing, instead of being enlightened I feel oddly winded up. I see that’s the reason why a lot of readers felt bereft with What We Left Behind.
Lastly, the relationship between the two main characters had so much potential. But, once again, it failed disastrously. There’s a lot of undermining on both of their parts, it’s painstaking to read. If you're looking for a book with a good f/f or wlw, this is not it. I supposed, the purpose of it was to show how to navigate relationship when you’re a teen. Even though, that’s the case Gretchen easily become very dear to me. I just wish the story was fleshed out.
Jessie Devine’s and Adriana’s review perfectly captured what went wrong with What We Left Behind. I highly recommend reading their nuanced thoughts.