Gender Queer

A Memoir

Graphic novel, 242 pages

English language

Published April 30, 2020 by Oni-Lion Forger Publishing Group.

ISBN:
978-1-5493-0400-2
Copied ISBN!
ASIN:
B07QV9JB7P

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5 stars (5 reviews)

In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia’s intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears.

In Gender Queer, Maia Kobabe has crafted an intensely cathartic autobiography about eir path to identifying as nonbinary and asexual, and coming to eir family and society. By addressing questions about gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—the story also doubles as much-needed, useful, and touching guide.

1 edition

reviewed Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Beautiful and insightful

5 stars

Maia's story is an excellent exploration of gender exploration, the lengthy self-discovery process, and the challenges (and satisfaction!) that comes from trying to be accepted for your authentic self. The book contains many references to other great reading materials, and I've already pulled out tons of quotes when discussing these topics.

Highly recommend this book, whether you feel it relates to you, people you know and love, or just the world around you.

Beautifully Queer and Thought Provoking

5 stars

I began reading this comic out of curiosity. Hearing about Texas banning this book in schools caused me to pick it up.

And golly, I'm sure glad I did. The author portrays eir up-bringing in a lovely art style. From the standard word bubbles to mind-bending bubble shells.

I learnt a lot about the author, eir experiences and I learnt about myself too. This book helped me re-arrange my understanding of gender and social interaction.

Being a queer person myself, I appreciate this creation immensely and I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to learn more about what we as a group experience.

Relatable and authentic

5 stars

It is clear that Maia is vulnerable and open with the reader throughout. Maia provides great insight into the experience of gender nonconformity as a child, and this book is a quick important read for anyone with others in their life who may have gone, or be going through, something similar.

biopic done right

5 stars

the "prologue" is about em saying (at some point in eir life) that e would never work on an autobiography and you think "haha fun", but, well, jokes on us because there is so much untold in this book. and trust me when i say that, im an expert in hanging out with people for years without them really know much about me lol.

anyway, jokes aside, havent read a biopic in ages and this was a great come back. loved everything about it. also, it's so nice to follow other queer people identity journeys to discover traits in common, but also find out about things you never thought before.

highly reccomended, als if you're cis and straight. it's a very friendly and non-conflictual book so your fragilities won't be felt attacked. eheh!

Review of 'Gender Queer' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

An impressive "graphic memoir." One of the few comic-book-style memoirs I've ever read, and one that I couldn't put down. I'm a slow reader and it only took me an hour or two to get through it. The illustrations are top-notch and the writing is engaging, as well. An important work that everyone should read and learn from.

Personal note on the research mentioned: Touching a Nerve, by Patricia S. Churchland.

Subjects

  • LGBTQ+
  • Biographies
  • Graphic Novels