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A review by mesy_mark
Alex As Well by Alyssa Brugman
2.0
I'll start with one thing that I like d about the book. I liked the break up of the chapters of Alex PoV and her Mom's blog post/ comments.
And here what I took away from the book that left a sour taste in my mouth. One not really understanding the intersex condition that Alex had. Some are listed but it is never actually discussed which I think could have helped better visualizing the main character as is. Plus I was always curious so I kept waiting for a reveal or sit down to discuss the condition with Alex.
Identity seemed to be obscured. Gender identity and biological sex never seemed to be well laid out as two different things.
The Alexes being one and the same was hard to get straight right away. I thought they were two different people and since they share a name with no variation of which Alex is being addressed I had a hard time keeping straight.
Communication. In short, there is none. Mommy goes to the internet, Dad leaves, and Alex just avoids talking to them.
Alex's past behavioral issues are never fully explained as in way other than to prove she has always been a trying child and this could be why her parents are so bat shit crazy when it comes to her being herself now.
I loath the masturbation scenes. Not because I am anti-masturbation but because now it is confusing the fact autogynephilia is being confused with trans/intersex people. Not needed when there are so few books of intersex characters.
Overall the only reason it is two instead of one star is that I was able to read through it.
And here what I took away from the book that left a sour taste in my mouth. One not really understanding the intersex condition that Alex had. Some are listed but it is never actually discussed which I think could have helped better visualizing the main character as is. Plus I was always curious so I kept waiting for a reveal or sit down to discuss the condition with Alex.
Identity seemed to be obscured. Gender identity and biological sex never seemed to be well laid out as two different things.
The Alexes being one and the same was hard to get straight right away. I thought they were two different people and since they share a name with no variation of which Alex is being addressed I had a hard time keeping straight.
Communication. In short, there is none. Mommy goes to the internet, Dad leaves, and Alex just avoids talking to them.
Alex's past behavioral issues are never fully explained as in way other than to prove she has always been a trying child and this could be why her parents are so bat shit crazy when it comes to her being herself now.
I loath the masturbation scenes. Not because I am anti-masturbation but because now it is confusing the fact autogynephilia is being confused with trans/intersex people. Not needed when there are so few books of intersex characters.
Overall the only reason it is two instead of one star is that I was able to read through it.