Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Pageboy by Elliot Page

453 reviews

kthompson19's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.25

This is not a great memoir. It jumps around in time and theme, often fails to meaningfully explore the themes presented, and simply seems to attempt to cover far too much without any single unifying narrative. 

That said, this was still impactful for me as a gender non-conforming person. Page’s experience with dysphoria rang true to my own experiences as a kid. His descriptions are vivid and poetic, disturbing in the way they’re able to capture what not being at home in your body feels like. A resonant read, but still one that I was ready to be finished with. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Drug use, and Alcohol

courtsport's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

Reflective journey through Elliot's early life and how it was shaped by his trans identity, which took him many years to come to terms with. This autobio sheds light on the lived experience of the pain and joys of moving through the world as a closeted and then publicly queer and trans person. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Vomit, and Alcohol

maryellen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Alcohol

sommer22's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

I think Page does well to preface that his trans story isn't necessarily remarkable but that he still hopes it touches people in some way. I'd call that an apt review for this book. 

The first half of this book reads as a typical actor's memoir: their beginnings in the industry, their rise to fame, etc. I greatly enjoyed the second half when Page is coming to terms with his identity, first as a lesbian and then as a trans man. Even if his story is one of many trans narratives, this aspect showcases the nuances of his narrative and what makes it special.

After accepting his transness, he goes straight into top surgery, which is so joyous but also specific to his story. Better yet, he acknowledges the privilege he had to do that.

I admire Page's self-reflection and groundedness, and he renders scenes with tender perception and feeling. 

This memoir is nonlinear, which not infrequently felt jumpy. The ending also felt abrupt and disconnected from the present.

This is a good queer story to read, especially for those who have followed Page throughout his career. If you choose not to read it, though, that's OK too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Stalking, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

robinks's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.25

I was excited to see that Page read his own audiobook - memoirs always seem to have a greater impact on me when done this way. However, the chapters felt so disorganized to me, both in chronology and topic. While I appreciate Page’s acknowledgement of his privileged identities, I want to read more memoirs by trans folks of color.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Drug use, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol

Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Pandemic/Epidemic

anni_swanilda's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Medical content, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Drug use and Excrement

acechemicals's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Deadnaming, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Minor: Cancer, Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Outing, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic

melonpea's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

rileybq's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

I read Pageboy in one sitting. I was so impressed by Page’s honesty and ability to see the context around people who hurt him without tipping into excusing their behaviour. It is raw and kind and unflinching. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts

joensign's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Sexual content and Blood