roctothorpe's review against another edition
3.0
The story is delivered in short essay vignettes, jumping back and forth from childhood to adulthood to adolescence. I didn't mind the non-linear style, though it was a bit confusing to follow the time jumps in audiobook format and the overall grouping of stories did not feel cohesive or intentional.
The writing has a very "on camera" feel, and reads in parts like a tell-all celebrity magazine. There are many stories of Elliot's past romantic relationships, but these were often reduced to recountings of the immediate events with little reflection on their long-term impacts on Elliot's life. I understand that there is a delicate line to walk in protecting the privacy of his partners, but these supporting characters in the narrative felt flatly rendered and I had a difficult time keeping them apart.
As a whole, Elliot's voice in this book feels deeply personal and yet weirdly removed. There is story after story of intense homophobia and sexual assault, each as graphic and unflinching as the last. With little added introspection, it felt like we were just rushing through all these traumatic events without taking the time to process or unpack anything.
The standout sections for me were the parts about Elliot's childhood and his relationship with his narcissistic father and abusive stepmother. It was gut-wrenching to read, and they had the self reflection and personal growth I wanted more of from the other chapters.
There are a lot of valuable stories within this memoir, but the actual execution left me feeling emotionally detached. The gravity of the topics discussed deserved tighter editing and more space for reflection. Despite the criticisms I have about the narrative choices, Elliot tells a compelling story about navigating queerness in the public eye. Though we have lived dramatically different lives, I still found parts of this memoir that resonated strongly with me. Worth the read, for sure, and I'm glad that Elliot could share his journey with us.
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
pearlisarobot's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Hate crime, Abandonment, Bullying, Stalking, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Mental illness, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Dysphoria, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Pedophilia
lqne's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Self harm, and Body shaming
Minor: Deadnaming, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
dehood's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual content, Dysphoria, Torture, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Stalking, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Minor: Alcohol
mossybean's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual assault
booksborrowed's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual assault
Minor: Eating disorder
caleugh's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Dysphoria, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Medical content
racheljane96's review against another edition
1.75
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
viktorsboy's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Self harm, Dysphoria, Sexual assault, and Stalking