Alex As Well by Alyssa Brugman is such
a realistic look at how sometimes the people who should care for you
the most can utterly and completely let you down.
Alex is intersex. She doesn't quite
know this when we're introduced to her life. What we do know is that
until now she's been raised as a boy, but she knows that she's really
a girl. She describes it in terms of there being two Alexes—one who
is a boy and one who is a girl. Her parents want her to stay a boy.
But she knows she's actually a girl.
I don't think I've ever read a book
about someone who is intersex or transsexual. I'm including both
because although they are slightly different, I think in a lot of
ways the book captures the experience of someone from both groups.
While I haven't read any books about an intersex or trans person, I
spend a lot of time on the internet, and on a website that generally
supports intersex and trans people. I support intersex and
transsexual people.
It kills me to know that there are
people out there who are not safe being themselves. I don't
understand why society doesn't accept people as they want to be. I
think Alex as Well will provide a good starting point for readers who
don't know a lot about the subject, as well as readers who can relate
on a personal level.
Alex as Well is set in England or Australia (Brugman is Australian). I
couldn't tell at first. I was like, why does Alex use all these weird
words for things? But then I realized, ohhh not weird, just not
American. Which I think was also interesting. It shows that both
hatred and acceptance don't follow country boundaries. It shows that
parents can be emotionally abusive and stunted everywhere. Brugman
shows us Alex's mothers thoughts from posts on a motherhood website.
This allows readers to feel both compassion for a woman who feels so
far out of her depth (and frankly, her mind), but also allows a
critique of parents who want to do the right thing but fail.
Alex as Well also gives readers who can
relate personally hope. Even though people insult Alex through out
the book, Alex stays strong. She finds friends and a life. She
survives. She imagines her life in so many different ways through out
the book (something which I found really realistic), and even though
her life may not be as glamorous as she imagines it, it's still a
good life. She still has the opportunity to flourish.
I would recommend this book to readers
who like realistic fiction about family conflicts. Although it isn't
a perfect novel (Alex and others use hurtful comments which might
turn away some readers), I really believe this book is a beneficial
addition to young adult literature.
Favorite Quotes: People want to know
which one you are. They want to be able to decide what you are, even
when they are just walking past on the street and will never see you
again. It's crazy. Most people don't see it as a gray area. They are
physically affected when there is confusion.
You're different. You wanted Ty to know
you're different. And it's like the canary in the coal mine. If he
can care about you anyway, even if you're different, then maybe they
can all love you despite the other thing.
But it doesn't occur to them to
consider how they're hurting me.
You know who you are.
I shouldn't have to explain myself to
every person I meet.
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