Publishers Weekly Review
| In this dazzlingly illustrated graphic novel memoir, debut creator Parish presents an earnest portrayal of their experience growing up as a nonbinary transgender person. From navigating gender expectations regarding their hair and clothing choices to everyday social interactions with family and classmates as a teen, this steadily paced work breaks down Parish's recollections of the time it took for them to grow from the person others perceived them as to the one they know they were meant to be. Cleanly lined illustrations in a muted color palette reinforce Parish's remembrances by giving the novel a hazy quality. Sometimes pensive, often affirming interludes by adult Parish, incorporated throughout, imbue the narrative with a meandering lilt that aligns with how the creator describes their journey in opening pages--a scenic route that's reflective of the fact that "for most people, gender is a fixed point on a map... most are lucky enough to be born at the correct destination. For some of us, our starting point is unfamiliar." This deeply relatable exploration of finding oneself and of giving oneself grace when the journey takes longer than expected is ideal for fans of Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer. Ages 14--up. Agent: Lydia Silver, Darley Anderson Literary. (Apr.) ■ |
School Library Journal Review
| Gr 7 Up--In this uplifting graphic memoir, Parish recounts their journey to feel at home in their body and gender identity. Parish begins by examining the messages they heard about gender growing up, both from their parents and from the assumptions other people made about them. After their early attempts to conform to gender norms fail to make them feel authentically seen, Parish begins to experiment with different presentations by portraying characters at comic-cons and participating in role-playing games. When Parish discovers the term nonbinary and finds other people online who share similar experiences with gender, they gain a sense of clarity and relief. Drawn in muted reds, grays, and blues, the appealing, simple art style mirrors the encouraging tone of the memoir, with inspiring messages featuring people of all skin tones, body types, abilities, and gender presentations interspersed with Parish's memories. A recurring image in the novel is Parish drawn with a home for a torso, reflecting the title and theme of feeling at home in one's body. VERDICT The portrayal of gender identity as a journey with no set destination is affirming and reassuring, and this hopeful tone will appeal to teens. Recommended for purchase.--Emily Yates |
Booklist Review
| Parish shares their journey to personal acceptance and joy in this gentle memoir. Parish focuses not only on the gendered expectations of society at large but also on how gender doesn't need a fixed destination; the journey can be to find home within yourself rather than in static presentation. Like Maia Kobabe in Gender Queer (2019), Parish shares how not having the vocabulary or positive examples of being transgender or nonbinary to draw from prolonged the confusion and sense of wrongness they felt. Finding terms to describe their experience led to a sense of community and helped them choose their new name--experiences that were lights in the darkness. Parish's art effortlessly conveys the variety of styles they tried as well as their discomfort and awkwardness when attempting to fit others' expectations. Additionally, there is a striking spread of a lady and a knight symbolizing Theo's realization that they can claim their own name. The pastel color palette contributes to the soft, friendly air of the narrative. Overall, an earnest and intimate portrait that adds nuance to any collection of queer nonfiction. |
Kirkus Review
| A gender-focused graphic memoir ideal for fans of Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer (2019). Parish breaks the fourth wall, introducing themself as a cat owner, a novelty teapot collector, and a transgender and nonbinary person. They employ the metaphor of a hiking trip, sharing their perspective on what gender means and feels like to them: "It's okay…to make my own path." The winding, meditative narrative recounts their upbringing, how they found belonging through art school, comic conventions, and tabletop role-playing games and their ever-evolving gender journey. The British artist thoughtfully reflects both gratitude for their body and feeling as if "it could do with some redecorating…renovating…trying things out…and seeing what works." Thick, flowing strokes of color in pastel hues create a cozy and accessible vibe. Parish sometimes depicts themself with their torso drawn in the shape of a small house, representing moments of euphoria, growing understanding, and feeling at home in their body. They also show their own reflection in mirrors as a technique for illustrating deep introspection and perception. They take care to acknowledge that this is just one story of many, and that different possibilities for readers abound. Parish reads white; the pages feature people of varying racial identities, sizes, abilities, and gender presentations. The open-ended conclusion reminds readers that "we are all deserving of comfort and safety…a place to call home." An accessible, affirming story that models how anyone--cis or trans--can take steps toward self-knowledge and gender freedom. (sketchbook process pages) (Graphic memoir. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
