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A review by jkamler
Pageboy by Elliot Page
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
I hesitate to rate this book lowly because I know how much of a personal labor of love this was for the author, and how much queer and transphobia they have faced.
I mostly struggled with this book because in so many ways, it hit too close to home. I experienced much of the same things working as a trans actor in Hollywood in my early twenties, and it was hard to read about someone else’s experience of a similar treatment. It simultaneously validated my feelings around what I went through and also re-triggered some of it.
Besides that fact, I have criticisms around why the majority of media about the trans experience carries such a depressing and painful tone, including this book. The lack of diversity amongst trans narratives almost presents transness as an inherently painful experience, which I think sets the wrong expectations.
Anyway, I found it difficult to get through this book, but maybe other readers will enjoy it more. I have nothing but the best wishes for Elliot and what he’s gone through, and what it takes to make a vulnerable memoir like this.
I mostly struggled with this book because in so many ways, it hit too close to home. I experienced much of the same things working as a trans actor in Hollywood in my early twenties, and it was hard to read about someone else’s experience of a similar treatment. It simultaneously validated my feelings around what I went through and also re-triggered some of it.
Besides that fact, I have criticisms around why the majority of media about the trans experience carries such a depressing and painful tone, including this book. The lack of diversity amongst trans narratives almost presents transness as an inherently painful experience, which I think sets the wrong expectations.
Anyway, I found it difficult to get through this book, but maybe other readers will enjoy it more. I have nothing but the best wishes for Elliot and what he’s gone through, and what it takes to make a vulnerable memoir like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry