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Everything Under
Everything Under
Daisy Johnson | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a book to take your time over. It’s not to be rushed, because there’s so much going on under the surface, and you might just miss something.

It’s a story about transitions of gender, family and home. It looks at language, how it can be manipulated and made into something new and different (Gretel and her mother have their own words for some things).
‘Leaving’ is another theme: Margot leaves her family, Gretel is left by her mother, and in a way, Margot leaves herself behind when she becomes Marcus. Everything Under is also a book that reworks the Oedipus legend, as well as using elements of Hansel and Gretel (beyond just the use of the name!), and a made up legend called the Bonak (which is actually a Tagalog word for a stupid child or a ‘dumb kid’) - a monster that destroys, stays and disrupts.

There’s a dreamlike quality to this novel, which really added to the fairytale element - the really menacing versions.

I loved this book.
  
Inspection
Inspection
Josh Malerman | 2019 | Horror
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Josh Malerman’s Inspection brings a different type of horror to the playground than Bird Box, and with it comes the idea of a world where only one gender exists–at least, that’s what the Alphabet Boys and Letter Girls are told. In this piece of work from Malerman, readers explore the depths of an abhorrently twisted coming of age tale. A place where fearmongering is the norm, where one’s genius is all that matters, and where the opposite gender is a distraction.

The Alphabet Boys and the Letter Girls are a group of kids, twenty-six of each, who are known simply by their name: a letter of the alphabet. And yet, each child has their own personality despite the controlled environment they’re raised in. I absolutely loved the way Malerman wrote the characters in this story: I felt disgust, I felt sadness, I felt hope. It’s rare that I make these kind of connections with characters lately. I also liked the use of an unlikely hero in this book, but I can’t really go into details beyond that without spoiling anything.

In Inspection, the goal is to raise children without knowledge of the outside world. The Parenthood wants these fifty-two boys and girls unsullied by the real world so their intellect takes precedence among all other things. In that regard, the plot works. Unfortunately, it’s also fairly predictable. After all, oppression leads to revolt and the manner in which the Alphabet Boys and Letter Girls are raised is more than enough for the reader to determine the outcome.

Malerman’s been a bit of a hit or miss with me, and though I love his writing, some of his work is difficult to get through. For instance, Unbury Carol was a DNF from me, where as A House at the Bottom of a Lake kept my attention throughout the story, even if in the end it was just alright. (Though that too is a coming of age story and definitely worth reading if you’re a Malerman fan.) That said, when I went into Inspection, I was wary. Of course I was stoked that I was approved for the galley, but I was also scared. In the end, that fear was pointless. This book is definitely one of my more enjoyable reads so far this year.
  
NO
None of the Above
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book took my world by storm. From page one of None of the Above I was captivated. The characters latched onto my heart any wouldn’t let go. The fluid writing style had me flipping pages faster well into the night. I wasn’t expecting to love this book or these characters so much but I couldn’t help but love everything about this story.
Kristin’s story of learning that she is an Intersex Individual was both poignant and moving. The questions and thoughts rolling around in Kristin’s head really have us questioning what it means to be male or female, and Physical Gender vs. Gender Identity. Kristin’s story become exponentially more devastating when the entire school finds out that she is intersex. Kristin finds herself in the middle of an identity crisis all while losing her closest friends, her boyfriend, and truly questioning who she is. Throughout her crisis she finds there is an unexpected constant; the son of her father’s ex-girlfriend Darren who goes to school with Kristin. When her friends and peers turn their back on her Darren shows increasing support of Kristin and befriends when she needs him most.
There are points throughout this story where Kristin is a bit whiny and wallowing in her sadness, and it can get a bit old. To be honest I can’t really say that I would be any different had I been in her shoes. She goes through a monumental change and morphs into a strong, resilient, and empowered young woman. I couldn’t be prouder of this character and her growth. The author did a tremendously fabulous job creating Kristin and developing her character throughout the story.
The supporting characters are all great in their own ways. Kristin’s father and Darren are my two favorites of the supporting characters for that specific reason that they are supportive of her and what she’s dealing with. They are patient and kind and are willing to help her work through and process the changes she’s going through.
This book needs to be shared, loaned, and spread around. The teachings of acceptance, patience, and resilience is so valuable in todays society where there is so much intolerance. If you’ve read this book and enjoyed it I recommend reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides; or if you’ve read that book and enjoyed it I recommend None of the Above.
  
Second Nature (2016)
Second Nature (2016)
2016 |
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
So this movie couldn’t have found its place in the world at a more opportune time (What with Trump vs Hillary and all). A balls out funny as hell comedy about a woman who against all the Nay-Sayers is going to run for Mayor against a womanizing, no morals and for lack of a better word Ass-hole who thinks the job is already sewn up. Seems standard right?? Well no not really throw in a Magic Mirror and some Freaky Friday gender swapping and you have Second Nature.

Without jumping into Spoilers though, the Kicker is this… Its not our main characters who have swapped roles like in most of these movies. It is the world around them!!!

Set in the small town of Louisburg, a shall we say “Freak Accident” befalls the Mayor. Upon his death it becomes a race to the position between Amanda (Collette Wolf. Hot Tub Time Machine, Interstellar). Amanda has all the best intentions for the town. She wants to protect the citizens including her Grandmother. However she must first overcome her opponent Bret (Sam Huntington. Sully, Superman Returns and Fanboys) Bret thinks he has the whole thing sewn up, loved by all at the city council and a real ladies man. They get into a heated argument one night while Amanda is holding her Grandmas “Magic Mirror” and the roles of Men and Women are swapped leading for some pretty hilarious results. Which actually turns this into a somewhat Social statement at points.

First time Writer/Director Micheal Cross has brought an extremely well thought out and accomplished fresh take on the whole Gender/Body swap genre of movie in a way that I guess I was surprised by if I am honest. The movie has a great cast of characters that all have there moments to shine. A special mention to Carollani Sandberg who plays Amanda’s best friend Nat, she is hilarious in this movie . Wolfe and Huntington have a great chemistry and the laughs in this movie just keep on coming and at a cool 80 minutes it never has time to outstay its welcome. We at 365Flicks highly recommend this Movie, its a good time to be had.

Produced by Nicholas Gyeney under his Seattle-based production banner Mirror Images LTD (Beta Test, Matt’s Chance, The Penitent Man).