Comments on: ADAM by Ariel Schrag http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6114 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Tue, 19 May 2026 19:09:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6114&cpage=1#comment-42720 girldetective Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:11:50 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6114#comment-42720 Janet, after writing this entry I've been looking at other reviews, and specifically at interviews with the author. She asserts that part of her intent was to ask and answer the question of what would happen if a privileged person wanted into a marginalized group, and that she is showing the LBGT community, warts and all. Some readers, like me, find that shocking because it's not PC. She has gay characters who are bossy and know it all, spouting opinions of others. There are self-involved trans-characters, there are ugly and unpleasant lesbians. I am probably going to edit this review when I've read another interview or two, but my unease about how the white guy gets to live the dream while the lesbian girl learns to play for both teams continues to rankle. As does a particularly brutal portrayal of one character. Warts and all is fine in theory, but eating boogers? That is a bridge too far. This book is worth reading because there are a range of characters in it, many of them trans, and yay, trans people in a book! Also, the best, most well rounded character in the book is trans. Everyone else is a grade of asshole. Janet, after writing this entry I’ve been looking at other reviews, and specifically at interviews with the author. She asserts that part of her intent was to ask and answer the question of what would happen if a privileged person wanted into a marginalized group, and that she is showing the LBGT community, warts and all. Some readers, like me, find that shocking because it’s not PC. She has gay characters who are bossy and know it all, spouting opinions of others. There are self-involved trans-characters, there are ugly and unpleasant lesbians.

I am probably going to edit this review when I’ve read another interview or two, but my unease about how the white guy gets to live the dream while the lesbian girl learns to play for both teams continues to rankle. As does a particularly brutal portrayal of one character. Warts and all is fine in theory, but eating boogers? That is a bridge too far.

This book is worth reading because there are a range of characters in it, many of them trans, and yay, trans people in a book! Also, the best, most well rounded character in the book is trans. Everyone else is a grade of asshole.

]]> By: Janet http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6114&cpage=1#comment-42719 Janet Wed, 04 Feb 2015 02:58:53 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=6114#comment-42719 Hmmm...I am torn about reading this book. One of my best, dearest friends is trans and I am very sensitive to portrayals of trans people. People are different but one way they are all the same is the need to be respected and it sounds like this book is using trans people as a gimmick. Why is that necessary in life? Hmmm…I am torn about reading this book. One of my best, dearest friends is trans and I am very sensitive to portrayals of trans people. People are different but one way they are all the same is the need to be respected and it sounds like this book is using trans people as a gimmick. Why is that necessary in life?

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