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A review by epellicci
Pageboy by Elliot Page
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Mixed feelings about this one.
I found the narrative of the book all over the place. It was really difficult to keep track of the people and places in Elliot Page's life because the timeline jumped back and forth, and he takes tangents about history and environment which I wasn't sure I understood the relevance of. The book is also really quite graphic at times. Given the personal topic, and how low Page's mental health has been I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it was shocking non-the-less.
Despite this, I truly admire the strength and courage that went into writing Pageboy. It is so vulnerable and yet also celebratory, and I would imagine intensely comforting to someone who may be going through questioning their gender identity or the potentially daunting process of transitioning. The book has such an authentic feel, and is a testimony to the value of finding your people and of visibility.
Page has put in some serious work to begin healing from trauma and shame, and it felt like a privilege to be invited to witness some of that journey.
I found the narrative of the book all over the place. It was really difficult to keep track of the people and places in Elliot Page's life because the timeline jumped back and forth, and he takes tangents about history and environment which I wasn't sure I understood the relevance of. The book is also really quite graphic at times. Given the personal topic, and how low Page's mental health has been I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but it was shocking non-the-less.
Despite this, I truly admire the strength and courage that went into writing Pageboy. It is so vulnerable and yet also celebratory, and I would imagine intensely comforting to someone who may be going through questioning their gender identity or the potentially daunting process of transitioning. The book has such an authentic feel, and is a testimony to the value of finding your people and of visibility.
Page has put in some serious work to begin healing from trauma and shame, and it felt like a privilege to be invited to witness some of that journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Transphobia, Mental illness, Body horror, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Stalking
Minor: Religious bigotry and Suicidal thoughts