jeskh 's review for:

Pageboy by Elliot Page
3.0
challenging emotional sad medium-paced
I have mixed feelings about Pageboy. The first third of this book is something I was absolutely not prepared for - graphic depictions of assault, abuse and violent homophobia came with no trigger warning. I found this genuinely infuriating which isn't something I expected from a memoir, but if you are going to label yourself as "inclusive" there just has to be some consideration for the people interacting with your art. I'm not saying that you can't create art with painful themes but put a trigger warning before so people like me don't end up near catatonic in bed after reading assault described in excruciating detail. 

The last two thirds of this book were, in my opinion, much better. Elliot examines his role in past relationships and how deeply embedded shame seeps through our lives infecting what once was innocent and free. This part of the book had more of what I was looking for and there was some genuinely writing. 

Here's my favourite passage: 
"I am patient, we are all endlessly learning and I've made the same mistakes, but sometimes patience wears thin. I know those instances and remarks may seem tiny, but when your existence is constantly debated and denied, it sucks you dry. Sprawled out, bare, I crave gentleness." 

This hist home in a way little else has. Although the lack of trigger warnings was a serious oversight I appreciated Elliot's radical vulnerability and enjoyed the later part of the book. 
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