This is the first time I am reviewing a graphical novel (although I was highly impressed by "Maus"), since I guess comics are still not perceived completely as an artistic medium for serious creativity and topics, and not just for entertainment. However, I was very impressed by Maia Kobabe's book which delves deep into topics of sexuality, gender, finding oneself, boundaries, making a life for oneself despite the world, etc. The book is excellent in many ways, but at no time it is preachy, propagandist or cheap current fad. The feelings and confusion that Maia experiences come across as deeply genuine and authentic to the point of being the foundation of er life and identity in every possible aspect.
Maia is bisexual and asexual, assigned female at birth, and spends er teens trying to figure out where er sexuality and identity belongs, as e doesn't simply identify as 'gay' but more with 'queer' - the Q in LGBTQ. Er relationships with other people and also with er own body and sexual organs is directly and honestly portrayed, as is er struggle to make sense of all that e feels.
At the end e decides that e is fine the way e is, neither male nor female, nor gay nor straight, and decides to use the Spivak pronouns and live er life as e finds best. Very uplifting and affirming book for anyone from any walk of life and of any identity.
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