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A review by songbvrd
Honeybee by Craig Silvey
5.0
What I will say about this book is that I don’t think it’s written for trans or lgbtq+ people. I think it’s written as an inroads for those outside the community to begin to understand the experience at a beginner level. It’s a way to challenge those who might never normally pick up a book exploring this subject matter to look at trans characters/people with more empathy and nuance.
Both my cis, straight, relatively uneducated (on this particular issue) brother and father read it. Both were absolutely moved by it and motivated to continue researching the trans experience and were able to talk about transgender people with more consideration after. Both also told me they had no idea before reading it where it was going, but by the end absolutely adored the protagonist and her journey. Both were excited for me to read it, excited to share with me that they’d picked up an lgbtq+ book and read it. Baby steps and all of that, I think it definitely did its job.
Despite some of its limitations, one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Heartbreaking and very triggering in parts, definitely proceed with caution, but really beautiful. Not a perfect narrative, not as nuanced as some, but perfect for its objective.
Both my cis, straight, relatively uneducated (on this particular issue) brother and father read it. Both were absolutely moved by it and motivated to continue researching the trans experience and were able to talk about transgender people with more consideration after. Both also told me they had no idea before reading it where it was going, but by the end absolutely adored the protagonist and her journey. Both were excited for me to read it, excited to share with me that they’d picked up an lgbtq+ book and read it. Baby steps and all of that, I think it definitely did its job.
Despite some of its limitations, one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. Heartbreaking and very triggering in parts, definitely proceed with caution, but really beautiful. Not a perfect narrative, not as nuanced as some, but perfect for its objective.