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A review by merah
My Brother's Name is Jessica by John Boyne
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
!Read content warnings!
Constant deadnaming and misgendering.
Terrible parenting. Gaslighting.
Slurs.
Ignorance.
The story is told from the younger brother's perspective. Very ignorant of Jessica's position.
representation of struggling trans teen and family problems in a transphobic household. But again: read the content warnings!
I liked Bradley and Rose though.
I disliked the end. Their mother should not have won the election. Sam should not have befriended David.
I also hate that Jessica's validation seems to depend on passing.
I kind of see how the author was going for a redemption arch type thing, but the ending makes it seem like all of the pain caused was forgivable. which it wasn't.
Constant deadnaming and misgendering.
Terrible parenting. Gaslighting.
Slurs.
Ignorance.
The story is told from the younger brother's perspective. Very ignorant of Jessica's position.
representation of struggling trans teen and family problems in a transphobic household. But again: read the content warnings!
I liked Bradley and Rose though.
I disliked the end. Their mother should not have won the election. Sam should not have befriended David.
I also hate that Jessica's validation seems to depend on passing.
I kind of see how the author was going for a redemption arch type thing, but the ending makes it seem like all of the pain caused was forgivable. which it wasn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, and Sexism
Minor: Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Use of transphobic slurs.