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kathrynwithabook 's review for:
Imogen, Obviously
by Becky Albertalli
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I absolutely loved this book. It's probably the most relatable queer discovery book I've read, booth from the point of Imogen as a person (say hi, people pleasing tendencies) and her bi discovery and questioning, where she was wondering if she was just appropriating queer culture since all of her friends are queer.
I didn't even consider the possibility of being queer until I was 21 because all of my friends were gay, and I had almost nothing in common with them on the outside - aesthetically, religiously, etc. - so how could I be?
The only thing I can't personally relate to is having a Gretchen. (Thank God, I would have cried.) But the way Gretchen gatekept queerness from Imogen, even going so far as to disbelieve her when Imogen said she was bi, had me infuriated. Gretchen was also super acephobic, which had me so insulted about that. I did, however, love that there was a Gretchen character because it drew attention to biphobia - including internalized biphobia.
My only complaint is that there was no resolution there, particularly Imogen calling her out on her shit. I understand why it isn't there - you don't always get closure or whatever, but it would be so amazing if we did in this moment to see if Imogen is going to ignore how she feels or not.
I didn't even consider the possibility of being queer until I was 21 because all of my friends were gay, and I had almost nothing in common with them on the outside - aesthetically, religiously, etc. - so how could I be?
The only thing I can't personally relate to is having a Gretchen. (Thank God, I would have cried.) But the way Gretchen gatekept queerness from Imogen, even going so far as to disbelieve her when Imogen said she was bi, had me infuriated. Gretchen was also super acephobic, which had me so insulted about that. I did, however, love that there was a Gretchen character because it drew attention to biphobia - including internalized biphobia.
My only complaint is that there was no resolution there, particularly Imogen calling her out on her shit. I understand why it isn't there - you don't always get closure or whatever, but it would be so amazing if we did in this moment to see if Imogen is going to ignore how she feels or not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Acephobia/Arophobia