blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book. Might be the most heart and mind shattering book I've read in a long time. Everyone should read this book. It will change the way you think about gender. I mean, just obliterate it.
ninasri's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5*
I usually hate spoiling storylines but here I think that trigger warnings are definitely required. So, trigger warning for: on page depiction of rape, transphobia, homophobia, and general horrible human behaviour.
To say I enjoyed this book would be lying. But I don’t think that it’s possible to ‘enjoy’ reading this book while still taking in the full force of emotional turmoil that it throws at you.
This story is an intense rollercoaster of hard-hitting emotions, struggles, and actions with a strong set of characters.
I wasn’t as deeply moved by this as I hoped I would but I still think it’s an important story.
I usually hate spoiling storylines but here I think that trigger warnings are definitely required. So, trigger warning for: on page depiction of rape, transphobia, homophobia, and general horrible human behaviour.
To say I enjoyed this book would be lying. But I don’t think that it’s possible to ‘enjoy’ reading this book while still taking in the full force of emotional turmoil that it throws at you.
This story is an intense rollercoaster of hard-hitting emotions, struggles, and actions with a strong set of characters.
I wasn’t as deeply moved by this as I hoped I would but I still think it’s an important story.
claire_melanie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
This is not an own voices story which I think given the subject matter is a serious limitation.
rebeck_5's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
thebookofdanny's review against another edition
3.0
An incredibly easy book to read, I found it quite difficult to put down at times. The POV chapters reminded my of Wonder by R.J Palacio (although Palacio had a more distinctive voice for each of her characters). I did find it at times quite tedious and 'Channel 5 Lifetime Movie' material and I would have really liked to see Hunter have his own chapters, I found his character the most intriguing.
Overall, worth a read but I do think this book could have been so much more.
Overall, worth a read but I do think this book could have been so much more.
yuno_hu's review against another edition
5.0
Não tenho palavras para o que acabei de ler, foi uma montanha-russa de emoções, partiu-me o coração um dezena de vezes e só por isso ainda o adorei mais. Adorei as personagens criadas pela autora e como ela as tratou, é uma lição de vida que eu não pretendo esquecer.
megan_kiwi's review
5.0
Absolutely brilliant and emotional! One of my favourite books this year! Definitely recommend it!
billie_visible's review against another edition
4.0
It's difficult to know where to begin in describing this book. The picturesque All-Eurocentric life Abigail Tartellin portrays of the Walker family, a premier family of upper-middle-class Brits immersed in politics is shattered early on with the violent and graphic sexual assault of Max, the story's main character.
Max is the Prodigal Son - perfect hair, perfect grades, athletic, a hit with the ladies. He's kind, charismatic, and destined for greatness. This perfection is of course a mask, an attempt to hide something more profound. A precarious family life, and Max's own physical status as intersex. Both of these secrets are threatened with public exposure following the assault with rippling consequences as his father begins a run for PM, and Max for the first time finds a perspective relationship with a girl who he thinks he might be comfortable sharing his full self with.
It's truly a devastating and layered story, that goes beyond just the exploration of intersex identity, anatomy, and gender identity, but also forces us the reckon with the consequences of PTSD, rape culture, and victim shaming.
It was a difficult book to get through, one that expanded my technical knowledge of intersex anatomy (it presents a 101 take, with Max presenting with internal and external male and female organs to better help us cisgender people understand and connect), and broaches its topics with compassion even in the face of brutality. I did occasionally question whether the maturity gap could be so broad across the ocean (are sexual standards so different in the UK that a teenage boy supposedly losing his virginity would be a shock to his parents? This is among the average age range in the US.), and quake with the graphic writing of the assault but this was an appreciated and well-written read.
Also gotta always love an Aspie kid, Max's kid brother who is coded as Autistic, and struggles to seemingly connect with anyone except for Max and knocks the ever-loving pants off of me with his dialogue.
Max is the Prodigal Son - perfect hair, perfect grades, athletic, a hit with the ladies. He's kind, charismatic, and destined for greatness. This perfection is of course a mask, an attempt to hide something more profound. A precarious family life, and Max's own physical status as intersex. Both of these secrets are threatened with public exposure following the assault with rippling consequences as his father begins a run for PM, and Max for the first time finds a perspective relationship with a girl who he thinks he might be comfortable sharing his full self with.
It's truly a devastating and layered story, that goes beyond just the exploration of intersex identity, anatomy, and gender identity, but also forces us the reckon with the consequences of PTSD, rape culture, and victim shaming.
It was a difficult book to get through, one that expanded my technical knowledge of intersex anatomy (it presents a 101 take, with Max presenting with internal and external male and female organs to better help us cisgender people understand and connect), and broaches its topics with compassion even in the face of brutality. I did occasionally question whether the maturity gap could be so broad across the ocean (are sexual standards so different in the UK that a teenage boy supposedly losing his virginity would be a shock to his parents? This is among the average age range in the US.), and quake with the graphic writing of the assault but this was an appreciated and well-written read.
Also gotta always love an Aspie kid, Max's kid brother who is coded as Autistic, and struggles to seemingly connect with anyone except for Max and knocks the ever-loving pants off of me with his dialogue.
gracie_alexandra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, and it is fantastic.
I picked this up in print a couple years ago but couldn't stomach the first couple chapters (no spoilers). But it is so worth getting into the story. Max is a wonderful character, his parents are relatable, and his younger brother a hoot. I thought Archie's chapters tended toward info-dump, but it's fascinating information. For any teen curious about intersexuality, or self-acceptance, a great suggestion.
I picked this up in print a couple years ago but couldn't stomach the first couple chapters (no spoilers). But it is so worth getting into the story. Max is a wonderful character, his parents are relatable, and his younger brother a hoot. I thought Archie's chapters tended toward info-dump, but it's fascinating information. For any teen curious about intersexuality, or self-acceptance, a great suggestion.