Review by TheSeelieCourtJester -- My Ladybird Story
3 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "My Ladybird Story" by Magus Tor.]
[rbc=4]id52813-125[/rbc]
The book is separated into four parts. The first part, High School, introduces John Bird, a boy who is bullied for his unexplainable differences. However, he meets a new transfer student named Aureus who decides to be his friend. In the second part, College, John tries to coincide living with what he believes to be his dirty secret, and his own facade. In After, John decides to go through hormone therapy to prepare him for surgery, one that would biologically change his gender. He sees how his relationships with his family and Aureus are affected by his decision. In Ever After, John, now Joyce, is now a woman, and trying to live her life alongside her friend Aureus, and new love interest, Tom. In this touching tale, Tor unveils the reality of transgender issues, and how a loving environment can help people overcome their insecurities, encouraging them to be who they really are without judgement or prejudice.
I enjoyed reading about Aureus and John. I particularly liked how the two stuck up to the other during hard times, like when J.P. first harassed John, and again, when J.P attempted to rape Aureus. Even more so, despite Aureus’s religious beliefs, she set aside her beliefs to try and help John become Joyce, simply because she wanted him to be happy. John, on the other hand, feels grateful to Aureus, and had subsequently fallen in love with her because of her kindness. Even when he became Joyce, her relationship with Aureus never changed. What’s more touching was how supportive John’s family was. Though it took a long time for his father to come around, in the end, they were right beside him through his journey. Tor illustrates the simple fact that no matter what, family is family.
The subject of transgender people, as well as hormone therapy, has always been more than controversial. There have been a lot of stereotypes surrounding the community as well. However, Tor has shown that through Joyce, these people are the same as everyone else. As long as they’re happy and they aren’t hurting anyone else, there’s no reason to be afraid, or even disgusted. At first, Aureus was shocked, perhaps even devastated, by John’s secret. However, she came back, and helped him transition to a woman. She made him feel like less of a freak, and was with him throughout his transformation. Devon’s father was the same way.
I loved this book. I loved how it portrayed transgender issues, and how it portrayed John, Joyce, and Aureus. Tor illustrates the difficulties of living as a person who doesn’t identify with the gender they were born with, as well as the struggles with dealing with an environment that doesn’t accept him. Even so, the love from family and friends can overcome that. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 4 stars, and would recommend it to those who struggle with not just transgender issues, but with being different in general.
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My Ladybird Story
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The book is separated into four parts. The first part, High School, introduces John Bird, a boy who is bullied for his unexplainable differences. However, he meets a new transfer student named Aureus who decides to be his friend. In the second part, College, John tries to coincide living with what he believes to be his dirty secret, and his own facade. In After, John decides to go through hormone therapy to prepare him for surgery, one that would biologically change his gender. He sees how his relationships with his family and Aureus are affected by his decision. In Ever After, John, now Joyce, is now a woman, and trying to live her life alongside her friend Aureus, and new love interest, Tom. In this touching tale, Tor unveils the reality of transgender issues, and how a loving environment can help people overcome their insecurities, encouraging them to be who they really are without judgement or prejudice.
I enjoyed reading about Aureus and John. I particularly liked how the two stuck up to the other during hard times, like when J.P. first harassed John, and again, when J.P attempted to rape Aureus. Even more so, despite Aureus’s religious beliefs, she set aside her beliefs to try and help John become Joyce, simply because she wanted him to be happy. John, on the other hand, feels grateful to Aureus, and had subsequently fallen in love with her because of her kindness. Even when he became Joyce, her relationship with Aureus never changed. What’s more touching was how supportive John’s family was. Though it took a long time for his father to come around, in the end, they were right beside him through his journey. Tor illustrates the simple fact that no matter what, family is family.
The subject of transgender people, as well as hormone therapy, has always been more than controversial. There have been a lot of stereotypes surrounding the community as well. However, Tor has shown that through Joyce, these people are the same as everyone else. As long as they’re happy and they aren’t hurting anyone else, there’s no reason to be afraid, or even disgusted. At first, Aureus was shocked, perhaps even devastated, by John’s secret. However, she came back, and helped him transition to a woman. She made him feel like less of a freak, and was with him throughout his transformation. Devon’s father was the same way.
I loved this book. I loved how it portrayed transgender issues, and how it portrayed John, Joyce, and Aureus. Tor illustrates the difficulties of living as a person who doesn’t identify with the gender they were born with, as well as the struggles with dealing with an environment that doesn’t accept him. Even so, the love from family and friends can overcome that. As such, I would give this book a 4 out of 4 stars, and would recommend it to those who struggle with not just transgender issues, but with being different in general.
******
My Ladybird Story
View: on Bookshelves |
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