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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Transitions: A Mother's Journey by Élodie Durand
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: depictions of genitalia, misgendering
Transitions: A Mother's Journey by Élodie Durand is a French graphic novel depicting the struggle of a mother's acceptance of her transgender son.
I thought this was a pretty good look at how difficult it can be for parents, particularly parents that consider themselves to be liberal and open minded, to accept the apparent sudden change in their child's identity. We all know how difficult it is for trans people in the world, suicide rates are way too high for us, but often the perspective of the parent is left out. I think this is a great book for parents to see that they are not alone in these difficulties, and that they can choose to accept their child.
I appreciated the letter at the end that Alex (the MC's son) wrote to his mother explaining that although he was grateful his mother was now a part of his life and fighting for him, he went through his transition alone. I think this can serve as a warning for parents, that by resisting the truth of their trans child they are forcing them to go through this harrowing journey alone and without emotional support.
There is a lot of education in this book, which is great for beginners having a hard time wrapping their heads around gender identity and expression, but I didn't love how focused it was on science and biology. Yes, there is science that supports being transgender and gender differences, but even if there is no "scientific" basis, it doesn't make someone's identity less valid.
This is a quick read with a lot of resources at the end. I recommend this to the cisgender person who wants to accept, but doesn't understand.
Transitions: A Mother's Journey by Élodie Durand is a French graphic novel depicting the struggle of a mother's acceptance of her transgender son.
I thought this was a pretty good look at how difficult it can be for parents, particularly parents that consider themselves to be liberal and open minded, to accept the apparent sudden change in their child's identity. We all know how difficult it is for trans people in the world, suicide rates are way too high for us, but often the perspective of the parent is left out. I think this is a great book for parents to see that they are not alone in these difficulties, and that they can choose to accept their child.
I appreciated the letter at the end that Alex (the MC's son) wrote to his mother explaining that although he was grateful his mother was now a part of his life and fighting for him, he went through his transition alone. I think this can serve as a warning for parents, that by resisting the truth of their trans child they are forcing them to go through this harrowing journey alone and without emotional support.
There is a lot of education in this book, which is great for beginners having a hard time wrapping their heads around gender identity and expression, but I didn't love how focused it was on science and biology. Yes, there is science that supports being transgender and gender differences, but even if there is no "scientific" basis, it doesn't make someone's identity less valid.
This is a quick read with a lot of resources at the end. I recommend this to the cisgender person who wants to accept, but doesn't understand.