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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
2.0
I bought this book many, many years ago, but just got around to reading it now. However, considering the fact that Parrotfish was published in 2007, I was a bit skeptical about what the portrayal of a trans character would be like.
I did try to give this book a fair chance since our understanding of sexuality and gender, and the norms associated with them, have greatly evolved over the past decade; as excepted, there were some outdated concepts and terms in here, such as saying “transgendered” instead of transgender. But again, this is a book from 2007 and I appreciate the attempt to craft a story from a transgender character’s perspective.
Still, something fell flat in Parrotfish. I thought the writing was too simple and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. I really struggled finishing this book, especially since some of the events and character reactions just didn’t seem realistic. The timeline seemed too rushed and the conflict was resolved so quickly. I didn’t really feel the emotions that a story like this should portray.
I did try to give this book a fair chance since our understanding of sexuality and gender, and the norms associated with them, have greatly evolved over the past decade; as excepted, there were some outdated concepts and terms in here, such as saying “transgendered” instead of transgender. But again, this is a book from 2007 and I appreciate the attempt to craft a story from a transgender character’s perspective.
Still, something fell flat in Parrotfish. I thought the writing was too simple and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. I really struggled finishing this book, especially since some of the events and character reactions just didn’t seem realistic. The timeline seemed too rushed and the conflict was resolved so quickly. I didn’t really feel the emotions that a story like this should portray.
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
2.0
(i'm trans.) rated so low firstly for how little i remember of the story 5 years later, and secondly for how little awareness of trans issues/experience the author seems to have.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
4.0
I spent a long time looking for this book and I was not disappointed when I finally got it. I am always on the look out for books with trans male characters and without a doubt this is my favorite one so far. Grady felt like one of the most authentic trans characters I have read in a while. As a trans person myself I have had a hard time finding a character that I could relate to but despite the age difference I did relate to Grady. I did find his journey to find himself and to find comfort in his own gender to be off though. Also this book did the one thing I hate in trans books and thats is saying, “I’m a boy now.”
Other then those problems I found the book to be very good. I loved the journey we saw Grady’s mom go through in learning to except he son as he is. The story wasn’t always happy much like life but it was really and that is really all I could ask for.
Other then those problems I found the book to be very good. I loved the journey we saw Grady’s mom go through in learning to except he son as he is. The story wasn’t always happy much like life but it was really and that is really all I could ask for.
justlily's review against another edition
2.0
So. Positives and negatives. I am not a trans person so bearing in mind that my opinion on whether or not this was accurate or well done means absolutely nothing. I did find this one to be more focused on the the MCs opinions and feelings than solely on those of his family which I've complained about with other books with a trans MC. So that's great. I enjoyed the friendship between Grady and Sebastian the most out of anything. Watching this little nerdy kid go to bat for his friend and give him confidence until he found it on his own was pretty special.
My main complaint was that so much of the book was about absolutely nothing. We had pages and pages of description about the MCs family home and how they decorated it for Christmas. Pages of description about their holiday play. Just...this really weird side story about all of that which was really not needed. Not only was it not needed but it was boring. The writing overall just wasn't engaging. Outside of Sebastian, I didn't connect to anyone and really care about them as people. It just all felt sort of shallow.
My main complaint was that so much of the book was about absolutely nothing. We had pages and pages of description about the MCs family home and how they decorated it for Christmas. Pages of description about their holiday play. Just...this really weird side story about all of that which was really not needed. Not only was it not needed but it was boring. The writing overall just wasn't engaging. Outside of Sebastian, I didn't connect to anyone and really care about them as people. It just all felt sort of shallow.
o_ambrogio's review against another edition
2.0
Some interesting character relationships and a decent attempt at discussing the basic artificiality of gender dichotomy, but very pedestrian writing, and the action is condensed into an unbelievably short amount of time.
bsmorris's review against another edition
3.0
Although at times I felt that each conversation was too-carefully arranged to display a different point of view on the topic, this was an engaging story about a likeable teenage girl who comes out as transgender and begins a transformation into a boy. Although he faces a number of obstacles, he begins to find his niche and to build the relationships that will sustain him during his continued growth into an adult.
reneeyik's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first transgendered book that I've ever read and I wouldn't mind reading another one like this.
Now being an extremely picky person, I don't usually like main characters to be honest and I rarely even like a character completely and in this case, it was the same thing.
I didn't really love Grady/Angela. I thought he was okay, but his character was noone that I clung to when reading this book.
None of the characters really stuck to me and the words that they said seemed rushed and the whole story seemed very rushed actually.
I can't say that this was a horrible book because it was enjoyable at some parts, however it's nothing special (sorry).
Now being an extremely picky person, I don't usually like main characters to be honest and I rarely even like a character completely and in this case, it was the same thing.
I didn't really love Grady/Angela. I thought he was okay, but his character was noone that I clung to when reading this book.
None of the characters really stuck to me and the words that they said seemed rushed and the whole story seemed very rushed actually.
I can't say that this was a horrible book because it was enjoyable at some parts, however it's nothing special (sorry).
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling tale of a a boy just trying to be himself. Funny, intelligent and just the right amount of insightful. An enjoyable novel that rejoices the differences that makes us unique.
dkamada's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good! I especially loved the metaphor about the football field.
fourloko's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty slow moving book, boring/kinda cheesy dialogue... Gets more interesting at the end.