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A review by lit_laugh_luv
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
2.0
[2.5 stars] Giving this an extra 0.5 for the necessary and accurate representation of transitioning and its difficulty. It's always good to see this in literature and see trans authors of color being widely read!
Unfortunately, beyond the great representation, I didn't care for this book at all. I found both Tom and Ming to be extraordinarily flat narrators, and it felt very drawn out with no real emotional pull for me. The time and setting jumps broke a lot of the immersion and made me disinterested in the broader narrative. I struggled to pick this up and kept hoping it would draw me in, but it unfortunately never did.
I'm clearly in the minority here, so if you're interested in this - don't let me discourage you! I don't think the writing or execution were terrible by any means, but it is not a story that resonated with me.
Unfortunately, beyond the great representation, I didn't care for this book at all. I found both Tom and Ming to be extraordinarily flat narrators, and it felt very drawn out with no real emotional pull for me. The time and setting jumps broke a lot of the immersion and made me disinterested in the broader narrative. I struggled to pick this up and kept hoping it would draw me in, but it unfortunately never did.
I'm clearly in the minority here, so if you're interested in this - don't let me discourage you! I don't think the writing or execution were terrible by any means, but it is not a story that resonated with me.