The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

And secondly, Leo's gender is used as a plot twist, which is not what someone's sexual orientation or gender identity should ever be used for. First of all, for 98% of the novel, David, who is, in fact, a trans girl is addressed with male pronouns. I also have some issues with the way transsexuality was represented at times. But the level of pushiness (that a word?) that David shows is maddening. I get that she is supposed to get Leo to loosen up and slowly stop hiding behind his walls. If she were real I probably would have hit her for being so obnoxiously curious. Their lack of depth and complexity added to my inability to connect with these characters and made them seem even more childish. Their behaviour was not according to their age. In most situations, David and her friends seemed way too young and immature to, for example, go on a weekend trip on their own or have relationships and sex. She is 15 years old if I am not mistaken, but she acts like a 12-year-old. I had difficulties connecting with the characters, especially with David. It is a heartfelt novel, for sure, but not a perfect one. I would say that this is a good introduction for someone who wants to know more about life as a transgender kid and adolescent. The Art of Being Normal was not what I had expected. David is a girl who longs for acceptance. To me, it wasn't an accurate representation of what it was like to be trans, and this goes on the list of 'disappointing trans books' along with 'What We Left Behind' by Robin Talley.ĭavid longs to be a girl. I can't really put it into words because my brain is silly, but as a trans person, I felt uncomfortable reading this, especially as it was written by a cis author and it was specifically taking about someone being trans. (I can't remember any specifics because I have lent the book to a friend, but I remember this.) And Leo also says some transphobic things to David, which was odd, as he's trans too?Īlso, David uses he/him pronouns throughout the whole book which I guess goes with the whole 'wants to be a girl' thing. Understandably, David has some internalized transphobia and says some pretty transphobic things to Leo. And that 'wanting' to be a girl shtick continues through the whole story. We actually are that gender, but have been seen as our birth gender. In the blurb: 'Two boys.' and 'David wants to be a girl.'īeing trans isn't about wanting to be another gender. The book isn't written by a trans person, and that was my first clue. I know that trans people have different experiences and points of view on their gender, but so many things about this book seemed off to me.

However, once I started reading I was honestly very disappointed. It had a cool cover and a premise I was personally interested in. I'm a trans person and when I saw this book I was super excited.

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson