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peonyblue's review against another edition
1.0
I'm fairly certain my reaction to this book is a direct result to it not being for me at all. Just to acknowledge that up front. (i.e. I read for entertainment, not deep philosophical meaning. Vague allegories actively annoy me. I do not want to work hard to enjoy a thing. I like connecting with characters. 100% not into smut. That kind of thing.)
I tried, y'all. I really tried. The premise here was good, and I sort of knew after the first few pages that it was going to be way too literary for me to like it, but I really tried, anyway.
By the middle of the thing, I wanted to throw the book out the window. Or probably just put it in the Little Free Library donation bag. But definitely metaphorically light it on fire. It was frustrating for a lot of reasons -- the pacing was weirdly stilted, I hated almost all the characters, and the part of it that was most intriguing on the wrapper (the shapeshifting bit) was turned into a series of fable/fairy tale chapters interleaved with the plot, seemingly written by a super unreliable narrator. The whole thing ended up being a smut-laden unsatisfying puzzle that I'm pretty sure was supposed to be allegorical to the struggles of LGBTQ+ folks, but was just inaccessible for me.
Long story short: I hated the characters, I hated the sort-of plot(?), I hated the way the story was told. I almost DNFed it multiple times, but kept hoping it would all come together in the end. (Spoiler alert: it does not.)
Just to make things clear, too: I review based on my enjoyment of a thing that's meant for entertainment. While perusing the other reviews (trying to see if I'm just too thick to get something obvious, natch), any negative review of this one seems to paint a target on the reviewer's back for snarky "do you even read, bro?" comments, questioning whether the reviewer understands LITERATURE (all caps intended; read with a breathy grad-school gravity).
I get LITERATURE. It doesn't mean I have to like it.
And I did not like this *at all*.
I tried, y'all. I really tried. The premise here was good, and I sort of knew after the first few pages that it was going to be way too literary for me to like it, but I really tried, anyway.
By the middle of the thing, I wanted to throw the book out the window. Or probably just put it in the Little Free Library donation bag. But definitely metaphorically light it on fire. It was frustrating for a lot of reasons -- the pacing was weirdly stilted, I hated almost all the characters, and the part of it that was most intriguing on the wrapper (the shapeshifting bit) was turned into a series of fable/fairy tale chapters interleaved with the plot, seemingly written by a super unreliable narrator. The whole thing ended up being a smut-laden unsatisfying puzzle that I'm pretty sure was supposed to be allegorical to the struggles of LGBTQ+ folks, but was just inaccessible for me.
Long story short: I hated the characters, I hated the sort-of plot(?), I hated the way the story was told. I almost DNFed it multiple times, but kept hoping it would all come together in the end. (Spoiler alert: it does not.)
Just to make things clear, too: I review based on my enjoyment of a thing that's meant for entertainment. While perusing the other reviews (trying to see if I'm just too thick to get something obvious, natch), any negative review of this one seems to paint a target on the reviewer's back for snarky "do you even read, bro?" comments, questioning whether the reviewer understands LITERATURE (all caps intended; read with a breathy grad-school gravity).
I get LITERATURE. It doesn't mean I have to like it.
And I did not like this *at all*.
laruchka's review against another edition
5.0
This is both one-of-a-kind and very familiar. I lived in SF and then Iowa City (and went to Queer Nation meetings and actions), and visited Provincetown, in the years between 1990 and 1995. But I think this book might work even better in a more current context. Every LGBTQ+ reader, every grad student, everyone who wants to be an artist or a shapeshifter, a writer ... will recognize something or someone in this story. Although the voice is very particular, it is like a mixtape made by your best friend from school, or that you have made for a crush: many voices, all making a mood and picture together. Also, yes, it is "hot ... deep ... tight ... smut," as the cover quotes say. Loved this.
gkielty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just an incredibly enjoyable read. The reviews are all spot on—this is a new version of picaresque that does not try to tie itself up in a bow by the end. The characters are who they are, and as with their gender expression(s), any attempt to categorize them only serves to highlight how much more they are than the labels they’re given.
briangodsey's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really fun examination of gender and sexuality, and very well written, too.
kinda_like_shaft's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this book thinking it would be a silly horror book about a shape shifter! And was i ever wrong! Paul (or is it Paula) is a man (or maybe a woman?) but most definitely a shapeshifter, and he’s certainly silly, especially about sex and changing his body parts to attract that sex. He’s wonderfully frivolous, until he’s not. Who is he? What is he? He goes through relationships, long term and shorter than the shortest short term you can imagine, while figuring it all out, or at least coming to terms with it. A clever, heartfelt, matter of fact commentary on youth and gender and sex and loss and what it all means and who it means something to. I got so much more than i bargained for…
felix_minka_mcintyre's review against another edition
5.0
Not only was this one of my top two books of 2019, but it's also one of my all-time favourite fiction titles. Yup, I loved it that much. I suppose because it combines alternative 90s nostalgia with a truly genderqueer character, I was always going to eat it up. A truly imaginative take on queerness, with a character who traverses the binary to enjoy same-sex encounters. It's sensationally sexy and ticks all my queer cultural high-points from the late 20th century. From cruising the Castro to Riot Grrrl music, I wanted to jump into the story and live it all myself. I cannot recommend this book enough.
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suburban_rat's review against another edition
5.0
I was really in love with the book and it supported a lot of feelings for someone on the genderfluid/trans spectrum. The sex scenes were raw and unglamorous in a way that felt like someone was just telling me their own story rather than reading a book. The entire time I was reading it I felt a small simmering layer of confusion and curiosity as I was never really sure if what Paul was saying was real or not and if he was truly a shape shifter or if that's just how he felt.
b1gbread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
kennywardmusic's review against another edition
3.0
When I first started this book, I couldn't put it down. I was so drawn into the story and Paul's exploits and struggles; however, as time carried on...I found myself really struggling to pick up the book. After the midway point, things just got slower and slower and it just began to feel repetitive. At large, it felt like we were just witnessing Paul make one self-destructive mistake after another, each time experiencing a modicum of growth, but not enough to prevent him from doing it again. I liked the book, sure, but I was hoping I would love it!
paulhill53's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so you know I had to read this book just because of the title, right? It was interesting and odd, as the title suggests, but I can't really recommend it to anyone else. The last section takes place in early 80's San Francisco, which was nice to read about.