Scan barcode
A review by sbar713
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
“Easy is nice, but it’s not as good as getting to be who you are or stand up for what you believe in,” said Penn. “Easy is nice, but I wonder how often it leads to fulfilling work or partnership or being.”
‘This is How it Always Is’ follows Rosie and Penn and their menagerie of sons through the childhood of their youngest, a transgender child discovering who they are, who the world is, and where - and how - they fit.
I absolutely adored this book. Admittedly, I had some trouble getting started because the author’s pacing and sentence structure seemed to lend itself better to an audiobook than the written word, but once I figured out the cadence, I was hooked. I fell in love with this child, and their family. There’s so many personalities, and so many challenges, but it was refreshing to read a warm and supportive LGBTQ story still set with the backdrop of the often frightening world we live in.
Most of all, it made me think. How would I be if I was parenting in this situation? Penn and Rosie are both supportive and loving in different ways, and there’s often no right way. What kind of supportive will I be? But I guess you never know until you’re there.
‘This is How it Always Is’ follows Rosie and Penn and their menagerie of sons through the childhood of their youngest, a transgender child discovering who they are, who the world is, and where - and how - they fit.
I absolutely adored this book. Admittedly, I had some trouble getting started because the author’s pacing and sentence structure seemed to lend itself better to an audiobook than the written word, but once I figured out the cadence, I was hooked. I fell in love with this child, and their family. There’s so many personalities, and so many challenges, but it was refreshing to read a warm and supportive LGBTQ story still set with the backdrop of the often frightening world we live in.
Most of all, it made me think. How would I be if I was parenting in this situation? Penn and Rosie are both supportive and loving in different ways, and there’s often no right way. What kind of supportive will I be? But I guess you never know until you’re there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma