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katnortonwriter's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
3.75
This was quite interesting! For one thing, it talks about a lot of things that very few books address, especially in comic format. Also, some of the cultural commentary is specific to Japan, so some things are quite unique to Japanese culture, while others are more broadly relatable.
I knew nothing about the artist before picking this up, and have not seen the documentary, although I'm interested in doing so now! I still don't quite understand the distinction between how this comic uses the terms "intersex" versus "nonbinary," although it seems like the author is specifically referring to a medical diagnosis that altered his understanding of his biological gender, which in turn lead him to adjust his gender presentation. (I'm using he/him here since he does so in the book.) However, it seems like the Japanese language, and possibly culture, makes different distinctions between intersex and nonbinary than what I'm used to in the US...?
At any rate, I think this is worth a read for people who want to explore the different forms gender presentation can take, and laugh along at the creator's amusingly specific insecurities about topics like facial hair and aging.
I knew nothing about the artist before picking this up, and have not seen the documentary, although I'm interested in doing so now! I still don't quite understand the distinction between how this comic uses the terms "intersex" versus "nonbinary," although it seems like the author is specifically referring to a medical diagnosis that altered his understanding of his biological gender, which in turn lead him to adjust his gender presentation. (I'm using he/him here since he does so in the book.) However, it seems like the Japanese language, and possibly culture, makes different distinctions between intersex and nonbinary than what I'm used to in the US...?
At any rate, I think this is worth a read for people who want to explore the different forms gender presentation can take, and laugh along at the creator's amusingly specific insecurities about topics like facial hair and aging.
pheebabeeba_'s review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Such a fun and intriguing read! I think I’ll definitely read more of Shou Arai’s works.
ilariyalev's review
4.75
It's very sweet book - easy and enjoyable read. The couple is very cute together. It doesn't have plot but more include certain discussions around gender and ageing. Some of the topics raised (both on gender and ageing) I haven't heard anyone talking about but I enjoyed a lot to read about. It was also interesting to note slight difference in conversation around gender compared to western understanding. In the west I. LGBTQ spaces especially lately there is more strict separation of gender, biological sex and sexuality (even though it want like that always). However in this book I noticed how there are no such strict restrictions. I hope that more works of this author will be translated and published
shane_the_reading_rat's review against another edition
2.0
really really wasn’t what i expected :/ don’t trust the title, this does not read like a memoir