Kattas reviewed Tomboy : a graphic memoir by Liz Prince
Review of 'Tomboy : a graphic memoir' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
While I don't think Prince goes far enough in her analysis and dissection of Gender roles, this feels like a remarkably honest exploration of a child's (and later young adult's) understanding of the implicit expectations society places on every individual. The storytelling is visceral and relatable for anyone who was ever on the outside of the social norm, anyone who was bullied, anyone who ever fell out with friends, who did not understand the social protocols expected of them. In short, this is a great book for anyone who ever grew up.
My only real critique is that first one: this memoir does not go far enough to critique society's expectations. Claiming the label of tomboy feels a little too much like simply creating an alternative gender role to "normal boy/girl" that does not say enough about all of the variation inherent in human experience, expression, and existence. There is …
While I don't think Prince goes far enough in her analysis and dissection of Gender roles, this feels like a remarkably honest exploration of a child's (and later young adult's) understanding of the implicit expectations society places on every individual. The storytelling is visceral and relatable for anyone who was ever on the outside of the social norm, anyone who was bullied, anyone who ever fell out with friends, who did not understand the social protocols expected of them. In short, this is a great book for anyone who ever grew up.
My only real critique is that first one: this memoir does not go far enough to critique society's expectations. Claiming the label of tomboy feels a little too much like simply creating an alternative gender role to "normal boy/girl" that does not say enough about all of the variation inherent in human experience, expression, and existence. There is the occasional hint of the deeper philosophical thinking on this topic, but Prince seems curiously mute about voicing any addition or continuation to those thoughts. The moment of epiphany near the end - which feels almost undone by the ubiquity of the word "tomboy" throughout the book - feels like a drop of water offered to a parched audience.