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baoluong's review against another edition
3.0
T R I G G E R W A R N I N G : S U I C I D E , M E N T A L I L L N E S S
I'm aptly familiar with Shaun David Hutchinson's novels from We Art Ants to The Past and Other Things that Should Stay Buried. Their bazaar conceptual plots drive not only drive LGBTQ+ literature but the human condition especially concerning young people. I can't begin to explain how complicated Hutchinson's stories are as they explore intersections of sexuality to identity. Brave Face is a more intimate take on LGBTQ+ stories as Hutchinson shares a coming out story that lacks the grandness. It's a long journey into recognition as the author tries many different ways to love people.In the process, Hutchinson, or can I call him Shaun, decides at a young age to not be a victim. To not be pitied. It's takes years of finding a strength relying on anger and violence. Then it takes even more years to undo the damage. The happy ever after is not exactly so immediate. I know this isn't what people want to hear but it's the truth. Even after Shaun knows he's gay, it doesn't mean he accepts it or fully understands what that means for him.
This is an important coming out story because it involves the act of hiding until you know you're safe. Everyone is completely justified in their own coming out. It hurts to know that your family won't support you and to ensure that you have a place to sleep maybe it takes lying to the ones you love. Sometimes love is conditional and we don't have the opportunity to expose ourselves to danger. Shaun displays many forms of not so nice acts and maybe writing is a catharsis. A release to correct what has been done. An alternative to prove that there is more than "nothing" that can be done.
I recommend this for fans of Shaun of course and a those who want to read about the intersection of mental illness being exacerbated by sociality pressures.
I love the illustration. It's honestly a "queer" book cover as the title is not centered, the author's name is not so prominent, and the perspective is looking up at the figure.
Let's chit chat! What do you like about memoirs and how does it compare to fiction?
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Unflinching and unapologetic look at the author's battle with his mental health and his coming out process.
bluelishi's review against another edition
5.0
"I was just a confused kid who'd learned the vocabulary of being gay from a world that hated fags"
melissaverasreads's review against another edition
5.0
Some parts were really hard to read, but I really hope this book find its way to a young person's hands who might need to hear this story.
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
I like what this book is, but I don't think it's the book Hutchinson set out to write. In his end notes, Hutchinson shares his frustration that "it gets better" narratives so rarely detail how it gets better. He says he wanted to write a memoir that told that part of the story.
Instead, Brave Face is 97% the times leading up to Hutchinson'ssuicide attempt</em>, 2% the immediate aftermath, and 1% a woefully rushed accounting of everything that happened between that event and Hutchinson's decision to write the memoir. That's not saying much about how it got better - the exact question Hutchinson claims he set out to address.
Still, the book's very good at being what it is: a heartbreaking portrait of the terrible toll of internalized and societal homophobia and mental health stigma.
Instead, Brave Face is 97% the times leading up to Hutchinson's
Still, the book's very good at being what it is: a heartbreaking portrait of the terrible toll of internalized and societal homophobia and mental health stigma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Medical content, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Vomit, Cancer, Bullying, and Excrement
Moderate: Toxic masculinity, Questionable consent, Slut shamingklanca's review against another edition
4.0
I happened across this in order to fulfill a reading challenge. I am glad I read it. Important message for those that are struggling.