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A review by dingokitty14
Pageboy by Elliot Page
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.25
Content 5 ⭐️
Execution 3 ⭐️
Already an Elliot Page fan, reading his memoir made me fall more in love with the insightful, deep, quirkily funny, and kind person that he is. I was delighted to learn that he is hella nerdy too! Not to mention ridiculously attractive-I did pause reading multiple times to look at the cover to appreciate his hotness on multiple occasions. The stories are heart wrenching and poignant, and I was utterly unprepared and devastated to hear about how much violence and hurt he has endured.
Having said all that, I think this book needed a much better editor, as it did not have a coherent flow. There was no rhyme or reason to the way different stories cut back and forth, and some of the language choices felt cliche. I think the chapter titles tried to introduce themes but the stories themselves never quite made it there. Lastly, violent homophobic and transphobic incidences and graphic sexual assault stories were interspersed throughout the memoir without any introspection, or pauses that could help readers catch their breaths. These stories were devastating to read, but sometimes felt too raw, and as a reader I felt some of my own unresolved trauma bubble up in response to these stories. I wish there were trigger warnings and also some mental health resources available to others who may be experiencing similar issues. I think Elliot has done an incredible thing in telling his story, but there are ways in which it could have been better. I am still honored and touched by his courage, and glad to have read it.
Execution 3 ⭐️
Already an Elliot Page fan, reading his memoir made me fall more in love with the insightful, deep, quirkily funny, and kind person that he is. I was delighted to learn that he is hella nerdy too! Not to mention ridiculously attractive-I did pause reading multiple times to look at the cover to appreciate his hotness on multiple occasions. The stories are heart wrenching and poignant, and I was utterly unprepared and devastated to hear about how much violence and hurt he has endured.
Having said all that, I think this book needed a much better editor, as it did not have a coherent flow. There was no rhyme or reason to the way different stories cut back and forth, and some of the language choices felt cliche. I think the chapter titles tried to introduce themes but the stories themselves never quite made it there. Lastly, violent homophobic and transphobic incidences and graphic sexual assault stories were interspersed throughout the memoir without any introspection, or pauses that could help readers catch their breaths. These stories were devastating to read, but sometimes felt too raw, and as a reader I felt some of my own unresolved trauma bubble up in response to these stories. I wish there were trigger warnings and also some mental health resources available to others who may be experiencing similar issues. I think Elliot has done an incredible thing in telling his story, but there are ways in which it could have been better. I am still honored and touched by his courage, and glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, and Homophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder and Mental illness