The Art of Being Normal

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And though it was sometimes hard to read the tough times these kids go through, I want felt HOPEFUL by the end. The Greatest Story Never Told: Leo's mother's story is alluded to all through the book, but we only get bits of it from Kerry. Struggling Single Mother: Leo's mother has three children to provide for but works at a launderette, not to mention that it is her third job of the month at the time the story starts.

It captured David and Leo’s struggles with fitting in, and showed the challenge of being a transgender person in a time when many people still hold so much prejudice.At the point they do start using she/her and Kate, it's treated as something the character needs to be congratulated on instead of, you know, it being a f*cking decent thing to not misgender people. Williamson worked for a time in a specialist NHS department dedicated to young people struggling with gender identity; her efforts to get inside the skin of her transgender protagonist are impressive and affecting. First of all, for 98% of the novel, David, who is, in fact, a trans girl is addressed with male pronouns. right away, your heart will bleed at some moments and melt at others, and you’ll root for them until the bitter end.

Loved the introductory exploration of trans issues in this book, even if it faltered in other areas. You’ll find yourself rooting for David and Leo, who are both beautifully written, well-rounded characters, and exult in their triumphs. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. El arte de ser normal es una novela juvenil que trata el tema de la transexualidad y que cuenta con una historia con giros muy buenos.The two teens share their secrets, but can closeted David and outwardly, comfortably male Leo really help each other? Both Leo and Kate are outed without their permission whatsoever and even though Kate being outed was done with good intentions (I guess? Leo is from the “wrong side of the tracks” and transfers to Eden Park to get an education that will help him escape his difficult life. Her two only friends know and support her through and through, but she is seen as an outcast at school.

Me gustó muchísimo que no se centrara en una historia de amor sino que se centre en la evolución de una joven transexual y en cómo afronta el serlo día a día. The Art of Being Normal is the story of a transgender character named David, and his journey to finally telling his family (and the rest of the world) that he wishes to be referred to as Kate, and would like to begin transitioning.

Following a degree in drama, she worked as an actor for over a decade before writing her debut novel. Between acting roles she worked as an office temp and started making up stories all over again, only this time she had a go at writing them down. Explore Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal in KS3 English lessons as part of our LGBTQ+ Experiences in Literature Unit of Work. Join now to access our Study Guides library, which offers chapter-by-chapter summaries and comprehensive analysis on more than 5,000 literary works from novels to nonfiction to poetry. In the narration there are several mentions or sentences that not just imply this but even state this literally.

I know that trans people have different experiences and points of view on their gender, but so many things about this book seemed off to me. It is implied that Alex's mother Annette badmouthed Leo, which led to her getting beaten up in Alex's place. One of them was that I don't feel like it was written with transgender people in mind as a part of the key audience, unless they're teenagers still trying to figure out even the most basic things. I admit, I was totally seeing five stars here at first, but other reviews changed my mind and in this case.

Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year eleven is definitely not part of that plan.