Cover Image: The Times I Knew I Was Gay

The Times I Knew I Was Gay

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Member Reviews

I enjoyed both the illustration and story presented here in an honest way about our imperfect path and journeys.

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Relatable! Simple, good storytelling and a sincere voice which is sweet. A nice model that’s simple for comic drawing and graphic novels/storytelling for class, too.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

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I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Times I Knew I Was Gay by Eleanor Crewes is an autobiographical graphic novel following the author/illustrator's experience as a closeted gay woman. Drawn in a simple, yet expressive style in pencil, Crewes covers key points in her life that informed her realization that she was queer- from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to failed hetero romances. The book is ultimately a work about self-acceptance and of coming out to yourself (and the strength required to do it). I loved the illustration style, but think it would benefit a lot from coloring. One aspect I wasn't too keen on was an over-reliance on unillustrated text, isolated on its own page. I would have liked to see a stronger relationship between specific images and text, rather than just text, just illustration (perhaps with dialogue), but little fusion of the two.
Overall, this is a great introduction to the early stages of queer self-acceptance and would be suitable both for individuals in the same stage of piecing together their identity or parents/loved ones struggling with the identity of their recently-outed queer loved ones.

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This book was heartfelt, relatable, helpful, and beautiful. Hearing stories like Ellie's help us validate our own stories and remind us we're not alone. This is one of those books you're glad to have met.

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I found the artwork in this queer graphic memoir to be memorable but the lack of storyline and really only plot point of coming out made this seem a little long and lackluster. There are so many graphic queer memoirs out there so I am spoiled for choices and I have read so many that explored this topic in a less grazed over manner. I wish this graphic novel had more meat...it felt like a dinner of a light salad that kept me hungry and then after 320 pages it was just over.

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***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

A humorous and insightful look into the author's sexuality and growing up being confused.

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