A review by roctothorpe
Pageboy by Elliot Page
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.0
This was my most anticipated memoir of the year, and it was alright.
The story is delivered in short essay vignettes, jumping back and forth from childhood to adulthood to adolescence. I didn't mind the non-linear style, though it was a bit confusing to follow the time jumps in audiobook format and the overall grouping of stories did not feel cohesive or intentional.
The writing has a very "on camera" feel, and reads in parts like a tell-all celebrity magazine. There are many stories of Elliot's past romantic relationships, but these were often reduced to recountings of the immediate events with little reflection on their long-term impacts on Elliot's life. I understand that there is a delicate line to walk in protecting the privacy of his partners, but these supporting characters in the narrative felt flatly rendered and I had a difficult time keeping them apart.
As a whole, Elliot's voice in this book feels deeply personal and yet weirdly removed. There is story after story of intense homophobia and sexual assault, each as graphic and unflinching as the last. With little added introspection, it felt like we were just rushing through all these traumatic events without taking the time to process or unpack anything.
The standout sections for me were the parts about Elliot's childhood and his relationship with his narcissistic father and abusive stepmother. It was gut-wrenching to read, and they had the self reflection and personal growth I wanted more of from the other chapters.
There are a lot of valuable stories within this memoir, but the actual execution left me feeling emotionally detached. I felt that the gravity of the topics discussed deserved tighter editing and more space for reflection. Despite the criticisms I have about the narrative choices, Elliot tells a compelling story about navigating queerness in the public eye. Though we have lived dramatically different lives, I still found parts of this memoir that resonated strongly with me. Worth the read, for sure, and I'm glad that Elliot could share his journey with us.
The story is delivered in short essay vignettes, jumping back and forth from childhood to adulthood to adolescence. I didn't mind the non-linear style, though it was a bit confusing to follow the time jumps in audiobook format and the overall grouping of stories did not feel cohesive or intentional.
The writing has a very "on camera" feel, and reads in parts like a tell-all celebrity magazine. There are many stories of Elliot's past romantic relationships, but these were often reduced to recountings of the immediate events with little reflection on their long-term impacts on Elliot's life. I understand that there is a delicate line to walk in protecting the privacy of his partners, but these supporting characters in the narrative felt flatly rendered and I had a difficult time keeping them apart.
As a whole, Elliot's voice in this book feels deeply personal and yet weirdly removed. There is story after story of intense homophobia and sexual assault, each as graphic and unflinching as the last. With little added introspection, it felt like we were just rushing through all these traumatic events without taking the time to process or unpack anything.
The standout sections for me were the parts about Elliot's childhood and his relationship with his narcissistic father and abusive stepmother. It was gut-wrenching to read, and they had the self reflection and personal growth I wanted more of from the other chapters.
There are a lot of valuable stories within this memoir, but the actual execution left me feeling emotionally detached. I felt that the gravity of the topics discussed deserved tighter editing and more space for reflection. Despite the criticisms I have about the narrative choices, Elliot tells a compelling story about navigating queerness in the public eye. Though we have lived dramatically different lives, I still found parts of this memoir that resonated strongly with me. Worth the read, for sure, and I'm glad that Elliot could share his journey with us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault