There were a few parts I didn’t find it so relatable. I would be curious to know if a guy would feel more of a connection with Joseph instead. When Meg said that living in a woman’s body puts you at risk, I felt that deeply. I recognized the fears when Trump won the election, for instance. But there’s something more to that feeling of connection with Meg, maybe just being a woman in this world. Joseph’s kindness and acceptance of her body was something that made me happy other guys could learn from that.
I also have an eating disorder and recognize that ongoing anxiety, as well as the negativity and hatred people throw at fat women. She discusses her eating disorder, substance abuse issues, and insecurities about her body very openly. Her painful relationship with her body was particularly relatable to me. That said, Joseph’s recollections of his father’s death are perhaps the most moving part of the book. Her bits were raw, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny. This is Joseph’s first nonfiction book, and while I found his writing moving and vulnerable, I would say Meg is the stronger writer of this format. This makes you think about memory, how our emotions shape the things we remember. A small moment that meant a lot for Joseph might not be in Meg’s story at all, and vice versa.
I found it interesting that they often don’t mention the same exact events. Fights are not described in too much detail, and happy moments are given more weight. There are fights and difficulties, but the story is generally very joyful and uplifting.
The book has a lot to say about change and growing up, adapting to new things together, falling in love with each other all over again as you find yourselves in a new place. Both are very intelligent and insightful, and obviously very much in love with each other. It was moving, it was funny, and it offered quite a few insights into Meg and Joseph’s personalities and their life together. I have followed Meg and Joseph’s artistic careers for a while, both through Welcome to Night Vale and the New York Neo-Futurists, so I was very excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed. Amazon won’t let me write a review, because apparently my account isn’t verified or some shit. Updated: this is the review I wrote at Goodreads.
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