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A review by imrereads
We Both Laughed in Pleasure: The Selected Diaries of Lou Sullivan by Lou Sullivan
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
I don't even know where to begin talking about this. For the days I've been reading this book, I feel I've been thinking about Lou Sullivan for all the hours I put the book down. I don't know if I can give this a review, but I have so many thoughts that I need to spend some time compiling. Here some fragmented thoughts:
It made me think about how much has changed in terms of trans rights and how we're virwed in society – and how much hasn't changed. It was so interesting to see how the terminology changed throughout his diaries, not only his personal way of identifying, but also the standard terms.
For a while I was thinking I wish I could have read this when I was younger, to have had this role model earlier, but I've concluded with being glad I read it as an adult. Lou Sullivan was by no means a perfect man, there are many instances of misogyny to give an example, and I'm glad I read it at a point were it's easy to be reflective and not romanticising.
I love the way he describes the beauty of men. I thought a lot about how he in his younger years especially spoke about wanting to be the men he loved.
This is a beautiful example of a supportive family, standing by him and loving him for who he was. It saddens me that he didn't have uncondintional support in his romantic relationships, rather dealing with men who didn't see him as a man or wanted to restrict the ways he transitioned. I just wanted to yell back through time "you deserve so much better!"
In the end, I cried.
It made me think about how much has changed in terms of trans rights and how we're virwed in society – and how much hasn't changed. It was so interesting to see how the terminology changed throughout his diaries, not only his personal way of identifying, but also the standard terms.
For a while I was thinking I wish I could have read this when I was younger, to have had this role model earlier, but I've concluded with being glad I read it as an adult. Lou Sullivan was by no means a perfect man, there are many instances of misogyny to give an example, and I'm glad I read it at a point were it's easy to be reflective and not romanticising.
I love the way he describes the beauty of men. I thought a lot about how he in his younger years especially spoke about wanting to be the men he loved.
This is a beautiful example of a supportive family, standing by him and loving him for who he was. It saddens me that he didn't have uncondintional support in his romantic relationships, rather dealing with men who didn't see him as a man or wanted to restrict the ways he transitioned. I just wanted to yell back through time "you deserve so much better!"
In the end, I cried.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Incest