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jourdanicus's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I just loved this book. Greg's honesty and sense of humor are so down to earth, and helps translate his life experience into something even more relatable. This book has something for everyone, even if you aren't disabled or gay, but especially so if you are.
The core thread of this story, that Greg has cerebral palsy but didn't find out his diagnosis until adulthood, is certainly worth being the primary appeal. At one point, Greg refers to himself as a "diagnostic orphan," which really resonated with me as someone who, in an opposite way, grew up very likely on the autism spectrum but *without* a diagnosis. This book has me reflecting on the concept of labels, and whether the label itself is disabling or the experience of having a disability is what's disabling, no matter what you call it.
Greg doesn't necessarily have all the answers, and that's fine. This is still a compelling and wonderfully narrated memoir about one man, his leg, and the quirky family that raised him.
The core thread of this story, that Greg has cerebral palsy but didn't find out his diagnosis until adulthood, is certainly worth being the primary appeal. At one point, Greg refers to himself as a "diagnostic orphan," which really resonated with me as someone who, in an opposite way, grew up very likely on the autism spectrum but *without* a diagnosis. This book has me reflecting on the concept of labels, and whether the label itself is disabling or the experience of having a disability is what's disabling, no matter what you call it.
Greg doesn't necessarily have all the answers, and that's fine. This is still a compelling and wonderfully narrated memoir about one man, his leg, and the quirky family that raised him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Ableism
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Body shaming, and Gaslighting
mirandaleighhhh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Given Greg Marshall's life experiences, I totally understand the dark humor that was necessary for his family dynamic. There was a lot in here that made me chuckle, and a few portions that made me tear.
However, there were things that made me uncomfortable while listening. I could have done without (or with fewer specifics) the discovery of the back massager, and there was more penis talk than I think was necessary for his story to be told. It didn't add but rather took away from what was going on, and I didn't find these portions as humorous. I also think that he could have adjusted the way he talked about his sister's autism to be more conscientious of the time and possible readers.
At the end of the day, it's his story, and wow Greg has experienced more pain than has ever touched my personal life.
However, there were things that made me uncomfortable while listening. I could have done without (or with fewer specifics) the discovery of the back massager, and there was more penis talk than I think was necessary for his story to be told. It didn't add but rather took away from what was going on, and I didn't find these portions as humorous. I also think that he could have adjusted the way he talked about his sister's autism to be more conscientious of the time and possible readers.
At the end of the day, it's his story, and wow Greg has experienced more pain than has ever touched my personal life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Homophobia
sglance9's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction and Ableism
graveyardpansy's review against another edition
2.5
2.5 ⭐️— this book was disappointing in an odd way — there’s a lot i enjoyed abt it, a lot of really genuinely interesting reflections on disability, death, family, and gay experiences. but there was a lot that made me uncomfortable in a someone-very-invested-in-disability-justice way.
the author uses both “bipolar” and “schizophrenic” in improper and stigmatizing ways. especially in the front half of the book, there’s a LOT of internalized ableism that doesn’t feel like it’s been entirely broken down, including some that is externalized and leads to borderline-cruel descriptions of other disabled people that made me feel bad to read.
the author uses both “bipolar” and “schizophrenic” in improper and stigmatizing ways. especially in the front half of the book, there’s a LOT of internalized ableism that doesn’t feel like it’s been entirely broken down, including some that is externalized and leads to borderline-cruel descriptions of other disabled people that made me feel bad to read.
banned_book's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Cheeky.