justkyliep's review against another edition
4.5
Reading this was a pretty interesting experience. A good one and one I was happy to have had, but...? In many ways, this memoir was exactly what I expected. It was almost comedic how easily I could guess which movies had been most impactful to Page and had the best sets/casts. And of course, coming out stories are only so many flavors of the same feelings. None of this is bad, and I was happy with the quality of the writing and the journey.
What caught me off guard was how bleak this memoir could be—easily comparable to I'm Glad My Mom Died. I like when things are truthful and I don't mind reading something depressing, but I was definitely unprepared. While I'm happy I took the time to read this, I'm definitely just as happy to be finished. I'm happy Elliot is past those chapters in his life as well. I hope his life doesn't require a second memoir like this, but I'd love to see him write again.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Homophobia, Eating disorder, and Drug use
cdace8's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed and didn't enjoy this book all a the same time. I loved the story & was saddened by all the things Elliot has gone through.
This book very much felt like a conversation and the timeline jumps all over the place.
No matter what it is a brave story to tell and I will always be an Elliot Page fan :)
Graphic: Stalking, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, and Eating disorder
epellicci's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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
fluffyfox's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Sexism, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Rape
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Stalking, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Excrement
hmetwade's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Deadnaming, Body shaming, Self harm, Mental illness, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Hate crime, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use
author2223's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gaslighting and Stalking
Minor: Bullying
bashsbooks's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Stalking, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Outing, Self harm, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Pandemic/Epidemic, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
-Deadnaming isn't really, like traditional deadnaming -Elliot chooses to use his former first name at some points and comments on it specifically in his initial author's note. I only note it so you're not surprised to see/hear it. -Child abuse is neglect and verbal.emmajh91's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Outing, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Cursing, Transphobia, Drug use, Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Blood, Child abuse, Hate crime, and Homophobia