This was rather interesting. The main focus seems to be on the experiences of trans men in reference to their experiences before, during, and after transition, and I appreciate the intersectionality which was a part of every chapter and section. I do think that a modern instance of this book would also include the experiences of transmasculine but not necessarily strictly binary trans men, but I'd recommend this book for a study into gender discrimination in the workplace for sure!

Siken's visceral writing, dedication to the same aesthetic, heartfelt outpouring of his own stories told through the lens of Henry and Theodore and all the unnamed narrators of these poems, the most punch-to-the-gut descriptions of love and desperation and shame and longing is what makes this collection the best piece of literature I've ever read.

This is a MUST read for all baby trans folks. As soon as I realized I was trans, I picked up this book and read it cover to cover.

Much of the rhetoric coming from by modern exclusionists, and even young trans folks can be traced back to the line of transphobia in political queer history. This book gives context for that, as it does show miraculous figures in trans history, from people who pushed gender-nonconformity white simultaneously disparaging transsexuals, to TWOC Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. It's a great starting place to jump into trans history and begin learning!

I've now bought the second edition and plan on reading it again--taking notes this time:)

without a doubt, this is the best short story i've ever read. one thing michael cunningham does really well is display the complexity of relationships--here shown between two brothers. The emotions cut to the bone--the ending particularly is devastating, and leaves you to sit there wondering what the hell just happened (in the very best way). can't thank my freshman writing professor enough for making us read this--i've now read it over 5 times and it remains my favorite short story.

THE PREQUEL WE DESERVE!!!!

This is a must-read for Supernatural fans, specifically those who prefer Sam. Dean is forced to grow up too soon as he protects his brother from the demons and hunters who are after him. Sam's innocence is tragic in its dichotomy with what John and Dean have to go to. The plot enriches Sam's early seasons arcs like the special children arc, the demon blood arc, and the chosen vessel arc; in fact the comic run itself is very reminiscent of the early seasons of SPN, and it isn't afraid to show darkness of John Winchester's A+ parenting:

(SPOILERS BELOW for both the comic and supernatural!)


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at one point Sam laments that they "haven't eaten in like two days," John showing up to his kids covered in blood, Dean as a twelve year old is assaulted via a harsh kiss by Mrs. Lyle (Lilith)--actually, the entire Mrs. Lyle arc is unsettling due to her position as Sam's teacher when he's nine now, and how she later tries to seduce him to sleep with her to make a deal in season four. The comic isn't afraid to rely on the metaphor of demons for sexual power dynamics and consent--demonic possession as a metaphor for rape is a theme in the show itself, but the metaphor expands out here to a non-consensual kiss to a 12-yr-old and lilith's general sexualization of Dean. There's more than this of course but this is the most obvious example. it's so well done and in pefect conjunction with sam's lack of autonomy in the comic.

Camille DeAngelis novel Bones and All was captivating. I read the novel after having watched the movie three times, and analyzing the changes between the two was fascinating. Camille's writing style is simple and beautiful; little recurring details complete the almost aesthetic-like quality of the way she describes Maren's journey, eg. how the detachment Maren feels from the real/rest of the world manifests in the Narnia references, the isolation of a "Spare Oom," etc. In fact, the whole book is lonely, from the way it deals with belief in God (abandonment), to the fact that Maren never has had friends and eats anyone who gets close to her. There are tons of metaphors to be drawn out of the cannibalism in the film, such as queerness, mental illness, disability, abuse, and generational trauma, but perhaps a few about feminism, eating disorders, and sexuality from the novel as well.

Speaking of metaphors, I had the pleasure of seeing Camille DeAngelis in conversation with screenwriter David Kajganich in October about adapting the novel, and one thing Camille lamented was the fact that the intentional metaphor for veganism wasn't clear in the book. I agree--I would never have guessed that at all without her saying it. However the film really does make this explicit and I highly recommend giving it a watch with that message in mind.

SPOILERS BELOW for both the book and film:

Spoiler

It was a terrifying twist that Sully ended up being Maren's grandfather. In some ways, I miss this not being in the film because it adds a layer of Sully's particular brand of creepiness where the family "disease" is inherent, passed through blood, tied to violence (perhaps an incest/CSA metaphor? adding to the sense of generational trauma?). Instead, the film has Maren's mother attack her in the mental hospital as the "one thing she can still do" for Maren to solve the problem of their cannibalism--a moment that gave me chills and served the same function as what the book did with Sully in a more accute form. Admittedly, this change did make Sully's role a little more random in the movie, but it still worked. I admire how the book tied it all together with this sense of "family is hell" (har har, supernatural/eric kripke reference).

Spoiler

My one qualm about the novel is that the ending is a little confusing. For all the struggle Maren has had over her condition, how has she suddenly come to terms with it? Why does Lee's death not cause more of an emotional dent, for someone she spent a long time with? Overall, I'm not upset with it that much because of the beautiful, BEAUTIFUL way the movie changed Lee's death into something explicit, with Kajganich's dialogue from Lee, "It's the easiest thing, Maren, love. Just love me and eat." Dialogue was one of DeAngelis's weak spots for sure, but the story was amazing, and thus, 4 stars!