MiniReview: "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe

What is it?

A graphic novel by American writer and artist Maia Kobabe, first published in 2020.

John, what’s with all these graphic novels? This makes three!

I know! I love them, suddenly. It’s a bit like watching a movie, but more involving, and usually more rewarding.

Okay, so what’s this one about?

It’s an autobiographical story of the author’s journey of self-discovery as a non-binary and asexual person.

Asexuality is not a subject we come across every day.

No, indeed. This is a wonderfully specific story of one queer individual trying to carve out an idea of who they are. It will appeal to anyone who doesn’t feel they fit into a preconceived queer “box.” It’s funny, huh, how even queer folks sometimes seem to want to fit into boxes, like being a mainstream homosexual or whatever, when we really don’t need to? Maia Kobabe paints a portrait of a complex identity that, even at the end of the book, isn’t 100 percent jelled. And that seems pretty honest to me, about how we live our lives as queer folk--the constant questioning.

How about the visual aspect, the illustrations?

The artwork is delightful. It’s simple, playful, and un-fussy, brightly coloured, a pleasure to gaze at. I love how all of Maia’s people come across as adorable. It made me feel good about being a human being.

Stars?

Two! This book covers so much subject matter: gender nonconformity, pronouns, asexuality, body dysmorphia, transgender issues. But it does so in a manner that’s not at all heavy or discouraging. The text, like the illustrations, is un-fussy, saying what it needs to say whilst keeping things simple. It’s a joy to read, and could easily be used as a springboard for discussions on a wide variety of issues that are less explored in literature. (Personally speaking, I found it such a relief to break away from the highly sexualized gay writing I seem to spend so much time reading.) It’s a gentle, joyful book that doesn’t shy away from difficult subject matter.