The Art of Being Normal: A Novel

I cannot say enough about this fantastic binge worthy book. The story is well written and captures the everyday emotions of what it is to be a teen and questioning/living your true self. It also does a wonderful job of addressing family dynamics and parenting from the teens perspective. I laughed outloud, ugly-cried and could not put it down!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel. Both gut wrenching and heartwarming, I got lost in the story and characters. Five stars!

It has been quite a while since I’ve read a novel in the GLBT genre – so I thought it was about time to mix it up with ‘The Art of Being Normal.’ What it brought to the table was a level of realism that transgendered youth face depicted really well. Identity and coming out, along with a plethora of other aspects were handled gracefully within the narrative. It was such an enjoyable read for me. Told with alternating P.O.V’s, it begins with David, the bullied outsider. I like how this character dealt with gender identity intelligently. Research. Though this is only the beginning of David’s journey. It should have been noted somewhere that not all trans know they were born in the wrong body at an early age – sometimes it’s an evolution from something not feeling quite right before arriving at the at conclusion of being transgendered (and involved diagnosis from a professional). I felt like it glazed over some important mechanics in the transgendered experience for the sake of story. Though David was a little frustrating for me at times, I was able to relate and enjoyed a different view of the world at large. Our second narrator, Leo is an all-around good guy. I enjoyed his strength and found his stand-offishness true to character. However, I guessed the plot twist involving his story from the beginning. Kind of deflated my enjoyment a little. Loved Leo. His story, his mannerisms. And it was great to see a separation in narrative styles with the switching POV’s – Lis Williamson did a fantastic job with each of their voices. Begrudgingly I admit it lacked a personal engagement from me, something intangible about the characters of David and Leo held me back from truly believing in them. I also had an issue with how they were obliged to get along – it felt forced and artificial. Effie and Alex – David’s best friends. Love the support and unadulterated no-holes barred relationship they shared. So rare. At times their silliness destroyed the authenticity for me. But loved their sense of humour – had me laughing quite a lot. My favourite scene is when David points Effie and Alex out to Leo, and they pull faces – priceless! This story brings to light much of the pain and turmoil transgendered teens face in coming to terms with their condition/identity, some of it had tears falling from my eyes. (the feels! The feels!) The relationships in ‘The Art of Being Normal’ are beautiful. I did want to read something other than issues regarding their gender identity. This book was all about that, and didn’t have much otherwise. I’m starting to find books are using GLBTQIA issues as a plot point or the big reveal annoying: when these are issues that are dealt with for a lifetime… along with everything else. So, more everything else please. It’s all a very “nice’ depiction of a transgendered experience – and I use that term hesitantly – because some youth experience so much more darkness and hardship. But that is too serious for what is meant to be a supportive, uplifting, and positive story about trying to live your truth. Great pacing, I completed this novel in two sittings and never found places where my attention was wandering. Great subject matter, but I found it very predictable, though, I would highly recommend this to all my friends. Proud to have ‘The Art of Being Normal’ in my library, it has been the most grounded story that has dealt with sexual identity in such a point-blank style to date. Refreshing.

I am a transgender man. I bought this book a while ago, if it weren't for school, I would've finished sooner. this is a great story with many realistic themes. such as sexual violence, discrimination, family, and healthcare. Leo facing sexual assault and sexual harassment was important to me because I have been assaulted as well. it spoke volumes to me how he felt like he could never tell anyone, including his therapist. Leo's attraction to women being shown as any other boy was important to the understanding that not all transgender people experience attraction in a gay way. Kate having a struggle with her family was spot on to a lot of trans people. the first assumption of being gay, the fear of being disowned, etc. the way she was showing signs of gender dysphoria by watching her sister grow was important too. both of the people in the story were aware of their gender young, which was important to the understanding that not all of us grow up before we acknowledge it. I recommend this for parents of transgender people and transgender people who are new to their identity. I felt very represented by this book. this is definitely my new favorite book about transgender experience!

Lisa Williamson's The Art of Being Normal is a moving, well-written reminder of how brutal, yet how beautiful, the world can be to those who are different. David Piper has really never fit in. Apart from his two best friends, most of his fellow high school students ridicule him for being different. One of the school bullies has called him "Freak Show" since they were younger, but David is willing to wait him out until high school ends. His parents think he is gay, and are waiting for him to tell them. What David wants, more than anything, is to be a girl. But as he grows taller and more like his father, he wonders if this will ever be a possibility. Leo Denton is the new kid in David's high school, coming from a poorer area to the more posh private school. Overly exaggerated tales of his exploits at his last high school follow him, but he lets people say what they want about him. Yet while he wants to remain under the radar, two events occur which ensure that wish isn't granted: he stands up for David when he is being bullied, and then he falls for one of the most beautiful and talented girls in school. It's not long before secrets he hoped wouldn't be exposed come to light. I felt The Art of Being Normal so accurately captured the feelings one experiences when you are different, when you are bullied, and how you just wish you could hide to avoid the ridicule and abuse. Williamson created such complex characters that you feel for and root for, characters you think about after the book is over. Even if once the story hits its stride you have a feeling how the plot will unfold, you're completely drawn into the characters' lives and you want to know what is going to happen. Like so many YA books out there these days, this type of book didn't exist when I was growing up. I'm so glad that it exists now, however, and hope that people read it, are moved by it, and perhaps convinced to change their behavior, to understand that their definition of "normal" isn't everyone's. So well done...

This was a sweet book! I loved reading about Leo’s and David’s experiences as transgendered people. It was particularly fascinating to me because I’m trans too (nonbinary gender identity), so I could relate to their feelings to some degree! Character-wise, David was my favorite because he (she) was so cute and sweet; Leo was great too, but I tend to like the more feminine protagonist more in books with two leads. Some other characters in the novel, like David’s two supportive best friends Essie and Felix, were likable and fun to read about as well, but for the most part, I focused on the two protagonists. The secondary characters were not that developed anyway because this story was about David and Leo, not really about anyone else. The relationship between Leo and David was rather engrossing, and I kept wondering what would happen to them next. You could say that I was ardently shipping (or at least “friendshipping”) them. But seriously, their growing friendship was such a tease for the readers! In addition, I mused a lot upon some social issues that transgender folks face that were raised in this book. It’s always a good sign when a book makes you reflect deeply upon life and humanity—I love thought-provoking novels. :D Overall, this was a fabulous book and I hope to see more stories starring transgender people in the future!

fantastic!

Me encanto el libro, lo compre en ingles por el precio y no tuve ninguna dificultad en leerlo. Sin duda una buena opción para empezar a leer en inglés.

I started this book at 10pm for something to wind me down for sleep, and it is currently 2:45am. I did not want to stop reading. You feel an instant love for the protagonists, and the world. It was a lovely book. Thank you Lisa!

Histoire bien construite et livre donne envie de continuer à lire jusqu’à la fin pour voir comment l'avenir se déroule pour les deux personnages principaux