competencefantasy's Reviews (912)

Very bittersweet

Something I really liked about this book was that even though it's introductory, it didn't jump to the most simplified example when explaining things. The people mentioned in the sample cases brought more of themselves to the story, which meant that nonbinary people, questioning, and interrelated aspects of identity were well handled.

The author has a real gift for drawing dramatic historical connections but unfortunately his storytelling jumps timeline to make a point so often that I couldn't keep my chronology straight. A plus on the research C on the translated delivery (perhaps language was a large part of the problem?).

As for the subject matter... heh

I like the character this adds.

Glad we finally got around to the obvious part of the premise.

Beautifully surreal and heartbreaking.

The book that got me into this era

In a little under my lifetime this has aged into a standard post apocalyptic grimdark meets Oregon trail that half had me expected zombies by the end, with a heavy dose of Butler reminding the audience that she gets the Baptist mindset. I usually prefer the second world approach, so for me the worldbuilding wasn't as profound as something Jemison would do, and the prose was nice and functional but not transcendent like Leguin. I don't think the spiritual elements make as much as a natural fit as in Russell, but to be fair this work is a great deal more coherent.

Nuanced and very fairy-tale-y, if gentle enough that I could read it while standing up while supervising a high school lunchroom.

Cute

I don't think it lives up to my best memories of the strip, but it was a nice collection and easy to read.