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A review by wandering_seal
None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary by Travis Alabanza
5.0
I listened to this as an audiobook, which I think may have affected how I feel about it - I loved the rhythmic nature of the writing, the repetitive phrases and tone Alabanza used throughout. I'm not sure I would have been so immediately hooked otherwise.
This was a really powerful read for me. Not being transfemme, I know I move with massive amounts of privilege through this world, and listening to Alabanza struggle with how they relate to society (and how that has changed and is still changing) was very moving. I was particularly interested in how their identity as nonbinary intersected with their working class and Black identities - it's given me a lot to mull over.
I hope Alabanza writes a sequal, or an update of this book when they are older. This book spoke a lot about ageing and growth, and my only criticism of it is that (as someone who is a fair bit older) I know that that process never becomes static, and that there is something about being in your mid twenties and feeling like you are reaching a final form which is just so very much not true. I'll be fascinated to see how Alabanza feels about the phrases they have themed this book around in 10, 20, 30 years time.
This was a really powerful read for me. Not being transfemme, I know I move with massive amounts of privilege through this world, and listening to Alabanza struggle with how they relate to society (and how that has changed and is still changing) was very moving. I was particularly interested in how their identity as nonbinary intersected with their working class and Black identities - it's given me a lot to mull over.
I hope Alabanza writes a sequal, or an update of this book when they are older. This book spoke a lot about ageing and growth, and my only criticism of it is that (as someone who is a fair bit older) I know that that process never becomes static, and that there is something about being in your mid twenties and feeling like you are reaching a final form which is just so very much not true. I'll be fascinated to see how Alabanza feels about the phrases they have themed this book around in 10, 20, 30 years time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Violence