A review by markwillnevercry
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

 After rereading my review I think it is important that I say that I am a transman, who has autism. Trans rights are important, black lives matter, my review and anger at this book has nothing to do with my opinion on any type of people. This book was bad for me, this book had harmful representation for me, that is all I am trying to say, have a good day.

Actual review:

I didn’t really enjoy this book. I picked it up, because I needed a short book to read during my walks and the audiobook was available from my library. The description says that this book can be seen as a combination of “Love, Simon” (which I watched when it came out, because I was queer, lonely and sad and I never intend on reading it, because the vibes are BAD) and “Bend It Like Beckham” (which I watched during a class) and that is certainly true. In fact, there were a couple of plot points that were almost a perfect mirror of “Bend It Like Beckham”, like
hiding playing soccer from parents and having to risk it for a game
. This was only at the beginning of the story, but it left a sour taste in my mouth, as it felt more than just a reference to a story and more like “borrowing” a plot point. I had some other issues with the story too, some of them felt more important than others, but I decided to just put them in points.
  • The constant use of the word transgender. At some point I actually had to look at whether or not the author is trans themselves, because it felt like such a weird usage of sanitised language. 

Two really big issues:
  • Trans representation. This book was published in 2021 and it feels like it was written for cis audience. The main premise is that Spencer wants to pass and keep passing. There are reasons that are given for this type of behaviour, like previous trauma, but when you write something it is important to ask yourself what you are trying to bring to the table and how you are trying to bring it.
    At the end of the story, Spencer comes out in order to “stand up for those who cannot”, without any conversation about how previously that caused his trauma. For the book that kept focusing on the “ugly” sides of being trans, his coming out goes great and there are no issues, which feels like this part was written for some other book.
    I did not grow up trans, I came out when I felt like it would make sense and I never even tried to pass, so I guess it makes sense that this book made me feel extremely uncomfortable, but I am not reviewing this while thinking what would a passing person review it as. Our literature should stop portraying either dystopia or utopia, there should be more focus on what is real and how there is no single experience of being trans.
  • The romance? It was not good. I am a proud hater of romance books, but I will be honest, I was basically against the main couple actually being a couple. I saw them as friends, as buddies, as literally anything but a couple due to the lack of chemistry between them. 

OH MY GOD, ONE MORE
The autistic representation??????? What even was that????? Theo is constantly seen as an issue because of his autism, Spencer constantly talks about it is his responsibility to not cause issues in the family, because his brother is autistic. Theo barely has any say over his actions, as he is just moved from one point in the story to the other and is used as a plot device. This felt terrible to read. 

One more, less important thing.
why was there romance between Aiden and Riley??????? I know that there is only 2 year difference, but Riley is a fan of his band, while he plays gig at adult venues and drives a car, why the hell was this a thing

Overall, not a great experience. I was close to giving this a star, but I somewhat enjoyed my time with it, so 2 it is.

Book notes:

“None of them had to worry about getting changed in the locker room or where to hide their tampons in case they started their period.” Ah yes, sorry, I forgot that boys never get uncomfortable about changing with an entire team.

“Spencer stabbed a bean with his fork. His parents might support his transition, but they would never truly see him as a boy.” Why are we presenting such a big issue as teenage angst with just stabbing the bean? Also, why is that the first reason that he settles on with his parents not allowing him into the soccer team? Why not like: “oh, they just do not want me to be in an extremely weird cult like gendered experience as a 15 year old, makes sense”

Bro went to a trans camp and trans support group, this is starting to sound like he will go anywhere as long as they put trans in front of it no matter his interests.

The entire “I cannot stress parents, because Theo is a lot to deal with” situation. Now that we have transphobia, might as well bring ableism in too.

Ooooh, did Justice and Nate have a thing?

The gay and straight (or whatever it is called) club being headed by a cis gay guy is giving terrible vibes. Actually horrendous. I fully expect bro to grow up to be one of those gays that will say “pride is a party, no need to have trans people there, they only bring the mood down”. Also, his name is Grayson, red flag.

Ah yes, the team bonding exercise (there is no reason for it except for romance).

Um, why not just tell the team that you have a medical check up? I am pretty sure that they would not ask about it, if he said that it was important and then the entire conflict would not exist.

Why is he so upset about Justice being there, if he is perfectly aware of how active his family is in the church?

Why is Spencer going to make a press statement on his own? Bro is still a minor and barely knows anything, what if he doxes himself?

Ah yes, I love an adult talking about how the kids are alright and they got it all figured out by themselves, that is a good message :) (god please stop)

so… They only implemented the toilets for everyone, because someone spoke to the press… Ah yes, that is great, we are having one good message after the other here. And there is even “and then they all clapped” scene.

Why is the opposing team transphobic? Why could they not just be upset during the game, yet not transphobic? Are we trying to push that as long as you are an ally you cannot be evil? Is that why Grayson is good, because he is an “ally”?

Why the fuck is Spencer angry at Justice? The fuck did he do? Jesus fucking christ, we do love drama out of nowhere. “I was not at the play, because I was stupid, but your family might literally harm you, how could you not be there?” Jesus christ Spence, other people have issues too and their problems are way bigger than yours. 

…y are we having a rights speech on graduation or whatever this is? What does this have to do with the school? I… I did not come here to have the “trans people are people” speech given to me, this feels terrible. 

“We’ll do it. We’ll amplify your voice.”... God make this stop. So, Spencer is our trans jesus, because he came out of the closet very publicly and made soccer and school a safer space for him through media blackmail (which might very well not last and end up even worse) and now he is here talking about how this will help with trans rights everywhere? Maybe, just maybe, this was a completely unnecessary part for the end meant to only make it grand, but this was terrible. 
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