Questions About What We Left Behind

by Robin Talley (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (6)

E Someone who is gender non-conforming and doesn't feel they fit within the gender binary…moreSomeone who is gender non-conforming and doesn't feel they fit within the gender binary(less)

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Is this young adult contemporary?

Crystal The main body of the novel happens during the protagonist's freshman year of college. Some of the action also happens in the final years of high schoo…moreThe main body of the novel happens during the protagonist's freshman year of college. Some of the action also happens in the final years of high school. I would classify it as young adult contemporary.(less)

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Is it worth reading?

Lizzy If you're looking for good genderqueer, trans, or lesbian representation, then no. The genderqueer character (and the topic itself) is poorly handled,…moreIf you're looking for good genderqueer, trans, or lesbian representation, then no. The genderqueer character (and the topic itself) is poorly handled, and the portrayal of the lesbian character was straight-up offensive at times. Not to mention, way too much of the book is dedicated to what feels like Gender Studies 101, which can be very off-putting. Of course, all of this is just my opinion. Some people have enjoyed it, and you might, too!(less)

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I really want to read this book. I've read Talley's other works and I am throughly impressed. I love her as a writer. Being someone who is extremely involved and interested in LGBTQ issues, I definitely want to read this novel. There's only one problem: so many people believe it doesn't represent what it means to be genderqueer properly. Does that take away from the novel any? Is it still a good read?

Isaiah I think it takes a lot away from the story. The MC is often really transphobic and awful about everyone else transitioning in any way. There is a lot …moreI think it takes a lot away from the story. The MC is often really transphobic and awful about everyone else transitioning in any way. There is a lot of transphobia from the partner's best friend in college too. There really is a lot of negative things I could say.

The love story itself is pretty wonderful, but it was hard to really enjoy the book for me because of all of the issues with trans rep. (less)

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what is this book about?

Isaiah Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They've been together forever. They never fight. They’re deeply, hopelessly in love. …moreToni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They've been together forever. They never fight. They’re deeply, hopelessly in love. When they separate for their first year at college—Toni to Harvard and Gretchen to NYU—they’re sure they’ll be fine. Where other long-distance relationships have fallen apart, theirs is bound to stay rock-solid.

The reality of being apart, though, is very different than they expected. Toni, who identifies as genderqueer, meets a group of transgender upperclassmen and immediately finds a sense of belonging that has always been missing, but Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside their relationship.

While Toni worries that Gretchen won’t understand Toni’s new world, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in Toni's life. As distance and Toni’s shifting gender identity begins to wear on their relationship, the couple must decide—have they grown apart for good, or is love enough to keep them together?(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Is this book appropriate for 8th grade students?

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