A review by headlessphilosopher
Endpapers by Jennifer Savran Kelly

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Endpapers by Jennifer Savran Kelley is a compelling tale of gender identity and sexuality set in post-9/11 NYC. The main character Dawn is at a relatable point in her life; post-grad, pre-career, and struggling to find herself. Past and present traumas leave Dawn feeling unsafe to explore her identity, and the fear of losing her relationship or her job leaves her stuck filling molds that don’t always fit, making her feel isolated. She ends up unearthing a queer love letter from the 50s on the back of a lesbian pulp book cover which sends her on a mission to find the letter’s author.
 
It was interesting to read this book as a trans person living 20 years past its setting. So much has changed and yet, so much remains the same. The book is firmly rooted in the reality of queerness in the early 2000s and doesn’t shy away from showing the ugly bits. I especially enjoyed the comparison to 1950s America brought by the hidden love letter. 

Overall, Endpapers is a well-paced, entertaining story that asks the reader to consider the past and present of queer identity as the main character does the same. 

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