Alex as Well (Alyssa Brugman, Text)

Alex has spent her whole life seeing someone else—the other Alex—looking back at her from the mirror. But now things have changed. A new school, new clothes—a new Alex. However, new friends and a makeover may not be enough to keep the past away, and just as her new life is taking a huge step forward, the old one arrives to drag it right back. Alex As Well is a confronting and honest story about the reality of life as a transgendered teen and the overwhelming difficulties of reinventing yourself. Alex’s world is hard, confusing, and at times rather lonely. Alyssa Brugman has outfitted this harsh reality with a tough, imperfect protagonist who navigates this incredibly difficult time of extreme change with little finesse but a vast reserve of daring and determination. Brugman’s beautiful writing offers a startlingly accurate portrayal of teenage life and is a remarkable exploration of gender and sexuality. In typical Brugman style, Alex As Well tackles its subject matter with fearless honesty as well as with strong insight and a delightful sense of humour. Fans of Brugman’s earlier work as well as readers of authors such as John Green will devour this YA novel.

Meg Whelan works at Hill of Content bookshop in Melbourne

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews