The ‘St. Hell’ in the title refers to St. Helens, a small town where the author grew up. In the UK, so I really enjoyed all the local slang and phrases that gave it a good sense of place- and sometimes had me scratching my head to figure out what people meant (but not for long). It’s the story of his teen years, trying to figure out who he was- having been born a girl, but hating his body and feeling out of place. Trying to dress like a guy and passing just fine- until the teacher reads his name aloud in class and other kids remark: “OMG, that’s a girl?” So then trying to fit in as girly as he can stand, but feeling miserable. Attempts to change his body by working out excessively and embracing an eating disorder- because at the time, gender-affirming health care was not common, doctors gave him the wrong kind of advice when he finally sought help, and he didn’t even learn that hormone therapy was possible until his first college year. Then everything started to finally change for the better. He was worried how his family would react to his coming out, but actually it was no shocker to them at all. There’s tons in here about the ups and downs of his friendships and romantic interests, suffering through school and going to clubs and parties, and his home life- parents split up- mom well-meaning but coming across as something of a nag, dad a lot more chill and laid-back. Funny that throughout the whole book, the author puts his current self in, as addressing his past self- so it breaks the fourth wall in a number of ways, also directly addressing the reader, and sometimes letting his parents put in their own remarks too (like they don’t appreciate how the author made them seem so one-sided). The whole thing was frank and painful at times and also quite funny and I’m so glad I read it. I’d like to put this book in my kids’ hands and see how much resonates with their own experiences.
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 6/25/24.
