Pageboy: A Memoir

I am almost an opposite to Elliot, as a 59 year old heterosexual who is still searching for who I am. Yet, this book had me nodding and agreeing with so many things. I think that angst, pain and being misunderstood are common bonds for humanity.My heart aches for the misery laid out by his words, the pain of divorce and the “first half of the month” when she lived with her father and his abusive wife. Kudos, Elliot, for making and keeping your boundaries. I cut off all contact with my father for more than a decade. YES!I loved Juno, and the introduction to this amazing, strong actor. I didn’t understand the reasoning behind Ellen vs. Elliot. As I read Elliot’s description of gay, queer, trans and gender identity, I began to understand. My sister’s child is they. I think I get it now. I am going to make every effort to honor their decision as they seek to be who they really are. Thanks, Elliot! Great job! 👏

Although not terribly familiar with his work onscreen, I’ve been somewhat intrigued by Elliot Page as a personality and thought I would give his new memoir a go. I also admit, despite being a gay man myself, I am more than a little ignorant of the struggles facing our transgendered friends and thought it might be a way to entertain as well as educate myself.While enlightening on both fronts to one degree or another, I do have a few notes. First, the book is not entirely chronological, which isn’t necessarily a problem in and of itself, but the constant jumping around through time and moving from place to place quickly becomes confusing and loses a bit of the ability to see the growth afforded by the journey. A lot of his friends, would-be lovers and acquaintances are referred to by first name only, and more than once I found myself skimming back to check if it was someone who had already been referred to that I missed, someone so famous they only need go by one name a la Madonna, or perhaps simply a pseudonym for someone whose identity he was trying to protect. And finally, the general tone is one of…not quite haughtiness, exactly, but he tends to go off on these abstract metaphors and wordy non-sequiturs that straddle the thin line between sloppy writer and genuine intellectual.Not that any of this is to say Page is unlikeable, but it seemed like he was still playing some of this close to the chest. We learn a great deal about his family and get a few stories from his film sets, most of which are tied into the greater pressures of gender conformity, but while these are obviously serious topics I do wish he told his story with a bit more humor or lightheartedness sprinkled in. Or maybe that’s just me. Still, while not a super “fun” read it’s a very brave and important one and I appreciate him sharing. Unfortunately the people who need to hear this most probably never will, but it’s good to know another voice has joined the fray. You are seen.

Eliot was able to convey some of the torment he suffered learning and accepting his transgender experience. With detailed struggles, he helped me have a better understanding of why transitioning was his only way to achieve peace and happiness.

More like 'F-BOY' Ba-dum tss!But seriously, if you're not interested in learning about the "bedroom adventures" of this person you'll be skipping a decent chunk of this book.PROSBraveA lot of these stories are painful to readEmpatheticTells the confusion & anguish of just not feeling right in their skin for most of their life. I don't know what being trans is like be my heart definitely ached for him.CONS- Please remember that constructive criticism isn't hate.THE EDITING!The story is told in a non-linear way that is executed poorly.Reading a new paragraph could be a continuation of the current narrative OR maybe he's now 9, 27 or 16 & it could be unclear for several sentences.Also, several moments are just confusing.EXAMPLE & MINOR SPOILERS"Any woman I had loved hadn't loved me back, and the one who maybe had, loved me the wrong way."That's an INTRIGUING sentence!At this point he's 20 & just meeting his first real girlfriend. He's been previously S.A by a woman- He'd hooked up with a female co-star & kissed someone named Jessica.WHO of them was the one he believed maybe, "loved" them the wrong way? It's never clear to me.I think a better editor and maybe 5 or so years of reflection would have been a better plan for this memoir.CONCULSION'PAGEBOY' reads more like a rough draft than a finished book.

Elliott broke my heart by sharing his life. Before reading his book I had no idea how hard it would be to live a lie about who you are. I've always known I was a female and accepted the lifestyle. It was what I knew. Elliott however knew he was a male but for most of his life he wasn't allowed to be because he was trapped in Ellen's body and all that is expected of a female. Even after reading his book I have a hard time imagining his pain. I'm glad he shared his pain for it helped me understand. It is a brave thing to be open about one's pain and for that I applaud him. I hope he can now live a long and fulfilling life.

What I like Jody about this book read Elliott's unconditional approach/attitude about had journey and the night of those around him. Wish this was required reading in all high schools. Biggest theme or take away is self acceptance

I usually finish a book in a day or 2, but I really wanted to absorb this one, give it much time and thought as I read Elliot’s words.I have a mountain of thoughts, most of which are scribbled throughout the margins of the book.Elliot was raw with his emotions; up front and honest with childhood and adulthood traumas. I had to sometimes remind myself that he just came out as trans a few years ago.I had to stop and pause as he talked about COVID, being acknowledged as a man when wearing his mask. So many people struggled throughout the pandemic, having to isolate, being alone. For Elliot, it was exactly what he needed. Time to zone in and focus on self, ask (and answer) the right questions in order to find his true self.The book is heartwarming, gut wrenching, and eye opening. As I finish, I find myself wanting more.No matter which way you look at it, no matter how you feel about the writing style- this is bravery. It takes an incredible amount of bravery to be your true authentic self in a world that is so cruel. Thank you Elliot, thank you to all of those who came before and all of those whom are yet to come 💕

This is a beautiful memoire with a truthful look inside Elliot's heart and mind. A must read for fans and for anyone who likes memoires.

Ich habe das Buch sehr gerne gelesen. Es ist berührend, aufklärend und höchst ehrlich. Ich war traurig als ich es durch hatte.

Me parece un libro increíble, en el que Elliot Page destapa todos sus secretos y traumas. Imprescindible leerlo aunque no seas fan de él, para poder entender una de las miles perspectivas y vivencias de las personas trans.

Absolument bouleversant et divinement bien écrit. J’ai lu l’édition anglaise pour vraiment ressentir les mots de l’auteur et j’ai été transpercée par ce livre… Certains passages sont un peu difficiles de par les sujets abordés, mais c’est très prenant. Merci Elliott Page ❤️