caedocyon's review against another edition
4.0
I really fucking appreciate Dean's cynical, pessimistic, dysphoric, mythology-soaked feelings on being trans, even though "miserable people making other people miserable" isn't my favorite genre. Everyone's been there (and the people who haven't are even more insufferable), but no one skewers it as well as Dean does.
uglyclogs's review against another edition
2.0
It took me literalllllllllly 3 years to finish this book. It was written so......poorly. I hate to say it but, please if not an editor (although really: an editor) at least check your own work. The writing was so painful to read. I kept hoping it would get better but alas!
eyan_birt's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start, I struggled with some cliches and the like. But it picked up for sure. Fuck Colin, for real.
valkri3's review against another edition
5.0
i love love LOVED this book!! I literally keep thinking about it, and I wish it was longer to keep reading. I don't want to let go and say bye to Dean. I just absolutely loved everything about this book; the writing style kept me wanting to read more.I loved the sarcasm, the quick witted come backs, and just the way i was kept engrossed into the story, and couldn't put it down. And there were some moments where it had me questioning life, and society.
Also, I'm from North Syracuse, as well, and i just kept getting excited reading a book where my hometown was the setting. Reading this made me miss Syracuse.
But anyways now on to the characters, I loved Dean, and i enjoy well developed characters with flaws and seeing them try to work through issues, and just figuring out their problems. Yes, Dean, was deeply flawed, but that's what i liked about him; He felt more real! Now as for Colin, hmmm i started out liking him, but then he kept toying with Dean, and it was so frustrating seeing him use, and just toy with Dean's emotions, and when he didn't even walk Dean back to their Dorm after that party! I was just like "the fuck dude?!?!?" I don't know it just seemed like Colin, gave Dean the time of day when it convinced him. But aside from that! Colin's character was pretty cool, when he wasn't drinking that is. Gosh, I'm trying to think of other reasons i liked him, but i guess the way he treated Dean is clouding my perspective.
All said and done, i really really enjoyed reading this book, and it will definitely stick with me always.
Also, I'm from North Syracuse, as well, and i just kept getting excited reading a book where my hometown was the setting. Reading this made me miss Syracuse.
But anyways now on to the characters, I loved Dean, and i enjoy well developed characters with flaws and seeing them try to work through issues, and just figuring out their problems. Yes, Dean, was deeply flawed, but that's what i liked about him; He felt more real! Now as for Colin, hmmm i started out liking him, but then he kept toying with Dean, and it was so frustrating seeing him use, and just toy with Dean's emotions, and when he didn't even walk Dean back to their Dorm after that party! I was just like "the fuck dude?!?!?" I don't know it just seemed like Colin, gave Dean the time of day when it convinced him. But aside from that! Colin's character was pretty cool, when he wasn't drinking that is. Gosh, I'm trying to think of other reasons i liked him, but i guess the way he treated Dean is clouding my perspective.
All said and done, i really really enjoyed reading this book, and it will definitely stick with me always.
franfernandez's review against another edition
Potentially really offensive (and obnoxious!), but it was thrilling to finally read a novel with characters whose lives are like mine (trans & queer).
Also, the narrator hints at some really compelling issues of identity and being --especially in the conversations between Dean and Teddy-- but then quickly retreats. I would've enjoyed further explorations of those themes. (Sure, I've read tons theory about gender and transness, and I've done a lot of thinking of my own, but sometimes I wonder what it all means in the grand scheme of things. Maybe I'm asking too much from this book, but it came so close that it was disappointing.)
Also, the narrator hints at some really compelling issues of identity and being --especially in the conversations between Dean and Teddy-- but then quickly retreats. I would've enjoyed further explorations of those themes. (Sure, I've read tons theory about gender and transness, and I've done a lot of thinking of my own, but sometimes I wonder what it all means in the grand scheme of things. Maybe I'm asking too much from this book, but it came so close that it was disappointing.)
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