A review by moonyreadsbystarlight
Nevada, by Imogen Binnie
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was fascinating and brilliant in an unexpected way. It felt almost akin to Catcher in the Rye. While it is told in the third person and does shift focus some, it focuses primarily on Maria - a trans woman in New York who is at a turning point in her life. There are parts of the narrative and Maria's characterization that are inconsistent - but that inconsistency is essential for the story. While Maria isn't necessarily the narrator, she is still the person whose understanding we have to go through to learn about her as a character - and her dissociation, frustration, and need for self-development clearly comes through in how we come to understand the character. We can see this mirrored in the way that we see James' character as well . This separation within her character is mirrored by the writing style.
Maria is not a likable character, but some of the ways in which she is unlikable or confusing, I found relatable. There are areas of the story where she is very clearly selfish, but she also has existed in spaces where she has to fake for the sake of others. These may seem contradictory, but I have found that they can absolutely exist together (though the level of selfishness that she exhibits does get to a ridiculous level as the book progresses). Additionally, the discussion of dissociation - generally, but also how it relates to being trans - is a big point that I found relatable - and is not something people frequently discuss (certainly not within fiction).
I will say that this book is not for everyone. I could easily see how some people could see this as sloppy or confusing - or at least overly pretensions. But I think that, over all, the parts worked together to say something important about the continuous nature of self-discovery.
There were parts of it that I think could have been more polished. Some aspects that I read as intentionally casual or rushed could have been editing errors. The second part of the book also felt a lot less finished or polished. I understood the inclusion of James, and I think more could have been done with it. There were some of Maria's monologues that felt more preachy. I understand the need to discuss the negative ramifications of the framework of autogynephilia - and it was an interesting piece to include. However, I felt like it could have been more effective. Even most of the story had been left as-is, I think following James a while longer could have given us more efficient insight. I also would have liked to see some of the loose ends tied up - however, I di understand and respect why things were left open and unresolved.
Maria is not a likable character, but some of the ways in which she is unlikable or confusing, I found relatable. There are areas of the story where she is very clearly selfish, but she also has existed in spaces where she has to fake for the sake of others. These may seem contradictory, but I have found that they can absolutely exist together (though the level of selfishness that she exhibits does get to a ridiculous level as the book progresses). Additionally, the discussion of dissociation - generally, but also how it relates to being trans - is a big point that I found relatable - and is not something people frequently discuss (certainly not within fiction).
I will say that this book is not for everyone. I could easily see how some people could see this as sloppy or confusing - or at least overly pretensions. But I think that, over all, the parts worked together to say something important about the continuous nature of self-discovery.
There were parts of it that I think could have been more polished. Some aspects that I read as intentionally casual or rushed could have been editing errors. The second part of the book also felt a lot less finished or polished. I understood the inclusion of James, and I think more could have been done with it. There were some of Maria's monologues that felt more preachy. I understand the need to discuss the negative ramifications of the framework of autogynephilia - and it was an interesting piece to include. However, I felt like it could have been more effective. Even most of the story had been left as-is, I think following James a while longer could have given us more efficient insight. I also would have liked to see some of the loose ends tied up - however, I di understand and respect why things were left open and unresolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, and Transphobia
Moderate: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts