Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Not Rated
Memoir/ Graphic Novel
Starman -David Bowie
A beautiful memoir written and drawn by the author Maia Kobabe (colored by eir sister) ππ¦π―π₯π¦π³ ππΆπ¦π¦π³ is Maiaβs tale of self-discovery and finding eir identity.
I am working my way through the most challenging books, according to the American Library Association, and Gener Queer had the honor of being number one in 2021, 2022, and 2023. I was excited to find this book at my library in a generally conservative area (in the adult graphic novel section, but it was there). I am no professional, but this book is suitable for 16 plus, in my very non-expert opinion ( consensual intimate scene).
Beginning in childhood, Maia shows how e never felt comfortable in eir assigned identity as a girl. We follow em through high school and college, where e first begins to understand there is more than the black and white of male and female. I admired how e depicted eir internal conflict. I loved seeing that eir family was so supportive even when they didnβt completely understand her choices; all children deserve to be seen and heard by their parents. There is a conversation about being childfree by choice with eir mother that particularly stands out in my mind.
Reading eir words and seeing the gorgeous, richly illustrated comic strips made the reading process fly by. I could see what felt the most important to em through the size and detail of each illustration. Eir writing, while emotional, is also hopeful and raw and highlights the many complications that come with not fitting in with the establishment.
Based on the cultural references I am very similar in age to Maia and I found myself reflecting on when I began to learn about the gender spectrum. The access to books like ππ¦π―π₯π¦π³ ππΆπ¦π¦π³ is critical both for those who finally see a character or hear a story they can relate too but also for people like me who have something to learn about the world.
Thank you Maia for sharing this stunning book, teaching me about Spivak pronouns and fighting against the ongoing censorship of your book!
