amylangdown_'s reviews
40 reviews

I listened to the audio version of this book, and completed it in under 48 hours. The history in the book is so well explained and cited and interesting, and it’s told in a way that made me laugh out loud many times. It looks at taboo and shame and language in such a brilliant way. I’d really recommend it.

If you know anything about Miriam Margolyes, you know she doesn’t shy away from truth, taboo or innuendo. What you might not know is that she is a person of excellent politics and genuine care. This is the most honest autobiography I’ve come across - owning up to wrongs and taking you through each detail of what can only be described as a wild ride of a life. I love her even more now. I found her discussions around her body and fatness challenging but honest. Everything difficult discussed is done matter-of-factly and not graphic.

Poetically written, really gorgeous imagery. Chinks of time missed (part of her style) which I missed - sometimes a lot of other myths mentioned too briefly which made the lore sometimes hard to grasp/ recall later when needed. Drew me in. Loved it overall and actually would give it 4.5 if I could!

Beautifully written and nice sentiment - I’m always interested in anything about big bodies and the stories/ histories of them, and I enjoyed the exploration of religion as an oppressive force. However, I was half-way through before I knew what was happening and I found it more focused on the writing than the story which I struggle with.

I enjoyed this short semi-autobiographical book, it was unreleased when she died, which gives it a certain feeling too. It’s very sapphic in its description of ‘platonic’ relationships. The way with words is wonderful but it does have the feelings of not a lot happening, which, if it were much longer, I might have struggled with. Would recommend for a quick read, I read it I 2 sittings.

Having followed Elliot’s transition over the last few years, this book gave me a real insight into his life. It manifests perfectly, in a way I’ve never seen before, gender dysphoria and the way transness, and queerness in general, shapes a life. I listened via audiobook and it was hard to listen to at times, but honest. And it’s so clear that he has done a lot of reflection to be able to discuss the past in such a way that is careful and analysed.

This one was weirdly comforting and yet harrowing. I’d really looked into very important conversations we’re having around child stars and exploitation, and the ways in which OCD, eating disorders and other mental health conditions can manifest in a child. It looked at complicated parent-child relationships in a way I’ve never seen it before - i needed to read it. I listened via audiobook and hearing JM read her own story emphasised power and reclamation of her story.