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lurking 's review for:
It's Not Like It's a Secret
by Misa Sugiura
1.5/5 or 3/10
*Sigh*
I've returned to review this book 3 years later, now that I'm not longer exploring my sexual and the fact that I can create a proper opinion with the experience of this being my first queer book at the ripe age of 13 (Crazy, I know).
This book is in every single aspect of it damaging and it isn't a book that any queer person exploring their sexuality should read due to its content and easy forgiveness towards cheating. Even with sexuality issues intigrated, our MC knew that she wasn't into men and kissed plus cheated on her girlfriend. The justification being that if her partner cheated, it's alright if she does too which is an immature mindset to just go as low as your significant other.
Then in the aspect of its racism, I'd have to reread it and do an entire analyze to speak properly of it. Though, even if 3 years have passed I think of how damaging this book would've been to me if I hadn't already had an idea of things and had normalized the thoughts inside of it. Also I'm Latin-American, so I was disgusted the entirety of the book by the racist thoughts.
In terms of sexuality, Misa Sugiura's cheating aspect also felt biphobic. As a lesbian now (when in the past I thought I was bisexual), I can tell you that even little me knew that what was written was disgusting. The idea that if someone likes both genders they'll cheat is just concerning, plus even if the MC was a lesbian it doesn't justify it being a part of the story either way. Someone's exploration of their sexuality shouldn't be depicted in this aspect mainly when this is a book that young readers exploring their own sexuality may read. Don't kiss someone else if you have a partner, no matter the situation.
If anyone's interested in reading an actual book that's well-written for a younger audience in terms of exploration. In my experience read "Ivy Aberdeen's Letter To The World".
*Sigh*
I've returned to review this book 3 years later, now that I'm not longer exploring my sexual and the fact that I can create a proper opinion with the experience of this being my first queer book at the ripe age of 13 (Crazy, I know).
This book is in every single aspect of it damaging and it isn't a book that any queer person exploring their sexuality should read due to its content and easy forgiveness towards cheating. Even with sexuality issues intigrated, our MC knew that she wasn't into men and kissed plus cheated on her girlfriend. The justification being that if her partner cheated, it's alright if she does too which is an immature mindset to just go as low as your significant other.
Then in the aspect of its racism, I'd have to reread it and do an entire analyze to speak properly of it. Though, even if 3 years have passed I think of how damaging this book would've been to me if I hadn't already had an idea of things and had normalized the thoughts inside of it. Also I'm Latin-American, so I was disgusted the entirety of the book by the racist thoughts.
In terms of sexuality, Misa Sugiura's cheating aspect also felt biphobic. As a lesbian now (when in the past I thought I was bisexual), I can tell you that even little me knew that what was written was disgusting. The idea that if someone likes both genders they'll cheat is just concerning, plus even if the MC was a lesbian it doesn't justify it being a part of the story either way. Someone's exploration of their sexuality shouldn't be depicted in this aspect mainly when this is a book that young readers exploring their own sexuality may read. Don't kiss someone else if you have a partner, no matter the situation.
If anyone's interested in reading an actual book that's well-written for a younger audience in terms of exploration. In my experience read "Ivy Aberdeen's Letter To The World".