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A review by luluwoohoo
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
☀️☀️☀️☀️
Happy Trans Awareness Week! This graphic novel-style memoir paints a realistic, complicated and ever-changing picture of gender exploration and self-discovery (literally and figuratively!)
Kobabe pushes a lot of boundaries with this book, which blends the accessible style of comic writing with the detailed and sometimes brutal reality of, well, reality. As a journey from childhood into adulthood, we're exposed to the complex and confusing internal exploration faced by so many people via Maia's own story, not just regarding gender but also sexuality and overall identity. Having progressive parents and family didn't always make the journey any easier but it's nice to see the emphasis on family support where a lot of times this isn't present, as well as the broader queer community.
The art is lovely and I appreciate having it in colour rather than black and white, particularly when referencing mensuration. I didn't find the 'graphic' sections overtly so, which is a source of criticism for many, and I actually think they added significantly to the authenticity of this work. My favourite sections went into detail on the overthinking that inevitably happens when Kobabe is anxious about addressing their identity and pronoun usage, which isn't something I've specifically gone through but feels really relatable as a chronic overthinker!
This is a truly wonderful, unique, informative and inspiring book that has no place being on the banned book list. Kobabe courageously shares thoughts, experiences and knowledge that should be common but sadly aren't, so I hope this book goes a long way to informing the cis community while also validating queer and trans folk!
☀️☀️☀️☀️
Happy Trans Awareness Week! This graphic novel-style memoir paints a realistic, complicated and ever-changing picture of gender exploration and self-discovery (literally and figuratively!)
Kobabe pushes a lot of boundaries with this book, which blends the accessible style of comic writing with the detailed and sometimes brutal reality of, well, reality. As a journey from childhood into adulthood, we're exposed to the complex and confusing internal exploration faced by so many people via Maia's own story, not just regarding gender but also sexuality and overall identity. Having progressive parents and family didn't always make the journey any easier but it's nice to see the emphasis on family support where a lot of times this isn't present, as well as the broader queer community.
The art is lovely and I appreciate having it in colour rather than black and white, particularly when referencing mensuration. I didn't find the 'graphic' sections overtly so, which is a source of criticism for many, and I actually think they added significantly to the authenticity of this work. My favourite sections went into detail on the overthinking that inevitably happens when Kobabe is anxious about addressing their identity and pronoun usage, which isn't something I've specifically gone through but feels really relatable as a chronic overthinker!
This is a truly wonderful, unique, informative and inspiring book that has no place being on the banned book list. Kobabe courageously shares thoughts, experiences and knowledge that should be common but sadly aren't, so I hope this book goes a long way to informing the cis community while also validating queer and trans folk!
"I began to think of gender less as a scale and more as a landscape.
Some people are born in the mountains, while others are born by the sea. Some people are happy to live in the place they were born, while others must make a journey to reach the climate in which they can flourish and grow.
Between the ocean and the mountains is a wild forest. That is where I want to make my home."