Ratings1
Average rating2
This exquisite graphic novel memoir by a transgender artist, explores the concept of identity by inviting the reader to view the author moving through life as she would have us see her, that is, as she sees herself. Framed with a candid autobiographical narrative, this book gives us the opportunity to enter into the author's daily life and explore her thoughts on themes of gender and sexuality, memory and urbanism, love and loss.
Reviews with the most likes.
OK so yes the font choice is a little tough to read here but I persevered. It is an unusual choice for a memoir–it's entirely about having written another book, and waiting to hear back from agents etc. Som said it was daily journal comics she was writing during the process and it has almost a web-comic-y feel where some of them are like 4-panel self-contained comics but others go longer. It was also intriguing to me that Som chose to write a memoir of herself but as if she were a cis woman? Which on one hand I think sounds like an interesting empowering thing to do but then there are conversations in here where she talks to trans people and they ask her if she's trans and she says no. Which like that version of her isn't but then...well IDK it left my mental wheels spinning a bit.
But overall I thought it was a funny book with some more thought-provoking moments, and I LOVED Ampersand the cat. (On brand for me I know.) Honestly I think, 3 stars for the book + 5 stars for Ampersand the cat = 4 star rating.