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A review by vagaybond
Really Cute People by Markus Harwood-Jones
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was groundbreaking in so many ways and so much what I needed from the book it was. I read this in less than 24 hours.
That said, I think it could have used another editing pass (maybe from someone who hadn't been part of the editing process, because I assume removing scenes makes you forget what's already been said). One of the protagonists is a trans man and is initially found out to be so because Charlie sees his top surgery scars accidentally, then it comes up again later as though it's new information and they never knew he was trans. A smaller version of this occurs with regards to the polyamory disclosure. Buffy mentions Hayden having been in a triad at some point and it doesn't really seem to be a thing that Charlie assumes is even on the table as possible until the climax of the book.
This is probably more of a personal pet peeve than anything but as a polyamorous person who has been in a triad before, I feel weird about how this was kind of seen as a couple pursuing Charlie and Charlie pursuing a couple, rather than three separate relationships within a greater whole. I wouldn't expect this depicted but usually, a couple pursuing someone is considered unethical (unicorn hunting) and there's a conversation about the fact that it's really anomalous for someone to be equally attracted to both parties in a couple in order for a triad to work out. For the most part polyamory tends to involve polycules where people have partners who don't date each other. It's not that there's a better or worse way for things to end up when they're super organic like was intended here, it's just the kind of thing that would give me red flags. That, and specifically the fact that Buffy and Hayden would regularly speak for each other with statements that would didn't even really need character distinction; "we love you too" rather than "I love you too." The characters kind of got melded together when it came to writing the actual relationships. There was acknowledgement of power dynamics and couple's privilege within a triad though, which I really appreciated.
This is all just me being hypercritical, and it's not reflective of how much I loved and enjoyed this book and how seen it made me feel. The "don't let the cops in or the cats out" sign, Just Seeds art, the magazines, etc, I felt so seen. I hope there are more books like it in the future.
Markus Harwood-Jones is also one of my favourite online trans people. Back in 2011 when I was figuring out my gender stuff, I stumbled across a youtube video of his talking about dating people of various genders. I did not know who I was until I got to see this new way of relating to gender.
It's been a long time coming and I'm so glad I lived to see a time where books like this are being published. And carried in my library!
That said, I think it could have used another editing pass (maybe from someone who hadn't been part of the editing process, because I assume removing scenes makes you forget what's already been said). One of the protagonists is a trans man and is initially found out to be so because Charlie sees his top surgery scars accidentally, then it comes up again later as though it's new information and they never knew he was trans. A smaller version of this occurs with regards to the polyamory disclosure. Buffy mentions Hayden having been in a triad at some point and it doesn't really seem to be a thing that Charlie assumes is even on the table as possible until the climax of the book.
This is probably more of a personal pet peeve than anything but as a polyamorous person who has been in a triad before, I feel weird about how this was kind of seen as a couple pursuing Charlie and Charlie pursuing a couple, rather than three separate relationships within a greater whole. I wouldn't expect this depicted but usually, a couple pursuing someone is considered unethical (unicorn hunting) and there's a conversation about the fact that it's really anomalous for someone to be equally attracted to both parties in a couple in order for a triad to work out. For the most part polyamory tends to involve polycules where people have partners who don't date each other. It's not that there's a better or worse way for things to end up when they're super organic like was intended here, it's just the kind of thing that would give me red flags. That, and specifically the fact that Buffy and Hayden would regularly speak for each other with statements that would didn't even really need character distinction; "we love you too" rather than "I love you too." The characters kind of got melded together when it came to writing the actual relationships. There was acknowledgement of power dynamics and couple's privilege within a triad though, which I really appreciated.
This is all just me being hypercritical, and it's not reflective of how much I loved and enjoyed this book and how seen it made me feel. The "don't let the cops in or the cats out" sign, Just Seeds art, the magazines, etc, I felt so seen. I hope there are more books like it in the future.
Markus Harwood-Jones is also one of my favourite online trans people. Back in 2011 when I was figuring out my gender stuff, I stumbled across a youtube video of his talking about dating people of various genders. I did not know who I was until I got to see this new way of relating to gender.
It's been a long time coming and I'm so glad I lived to see a time where books like this are being published. And carried in my library!