Super Late Bloomer: My Early Days in Transition
Julia’s poignant, relatable comics honestly depict her personal ups and downs while dealing with the various issues involved in transitioning—from struggling with self-acceptance and challenging societal expectations, to moments of self-love and joy. Super Late Bloomer both educates and inspires, as Julia faces her difficulties head-on and commits to being wholly, authentically who she was always meant to be.
Reviews (94)
A Shining Light the Worlds Needs
I have tried to think of how to review this book without relating it directly to my own experience, and it feels almost impossible. I am a trans person and the work of Julia Kaye has had a profound impact on my personal transition and my life as a whole. This began with the early days of 2016 when I began to read her webcomic to today with this lovely book that I now have in my hands. Now that I have them all in such a wonderful package it truly allows the beautifully written and illustrated comics to shine brightly. In this book Kaye has opened herself up to the world in such a wonderfully honest and vulnerable way and I think in turn has allowed others – including myself - going through similar experiences to not feel so alone. Transitioning can be a very isolating experience. It made it clear to me just how important trans representation in the media can be and is. I am overjoyed to know that this book will be that representation that so many trans people need. You will not regret buying this book. So why not buy several copies? Spread this around, let friends borrow copies, donate it in book drives, to your local library. This story needs to be told to as many people as possible. It is that important. Thank you, Julia.
Better late than never
Outstanding collection! Should be part of school curriculum units on building/understanding empathy, courage, and perseverance. I can't recall a comic strip collection I've read where I've felt so much for the author. I had a positive feeling about this book once I "welled up" during the introduction and "welled up" many times during the course of reading the strips. By the way, the artistic style of her drawings are so cool. Like a combination of Charles Schultz and Crockett Johnson.
This book is a wildly honest and heartfelt documentation of ...
This book is a wildly honest and heartfelt documentation of Julia’s journey through her first year in transition! Her strips are articulate and drawn with care. I read the whole book cover to cover in one sitting, and I look forward to doing so again! It’s a privilege being able to read Julia’s experiences through her eyes.
Great for understanding
I bought two of these. One for myself to understand what trans women go through and one for a friend who is a trans woman. She really enjoyed this book so she knows she is not alone with what she feels. I recommend this for anyone transitioning or for those who are just curious about the trans community. And, both the author and my friend are named Julia!
Lovely book!! Very inspiring
Ok, I am a big fan of Julia, and all her work, so I was PUMPED when she announced her book! This small collection of her comics focusing on her transition is very real, and honestly I re-read the book twice the day I got it XD I like it a lot, and it gives me hope for my own transition! Julia is so cool, so if you have the money you should totally show your support! Glad I can have this book on my shelf! Stay cool Julia!
Tell everyone you know to read it!!
Love it! This is great for everyone, as it helps anyone understand what it is like for a transgendered person to exist and live in our extremely cisgendered culture. I've been a fan of Julia's for a few years now, and she never disappoints.
A must-have for trans folks
Julia's comics helped me through so much when I began realizing I was transgender. Her comics are short, to the point, and all very much from the heart. Just what I need on the days when I'm not feeling myself. And now I've got them all in an adorable paperback <3
Really Enjoyed It!
The illustrations were adorable, the little three panel stories were powerful, and overall it's one of the best things I've read in a long time. Blew through it in a night, I just couldn't put it down! Would reccomend!
Today I Feel Beautiful
While the cartoons are cute enough, they are simplistic in style which may not appeal to many readers. The author does manage to convey masculinity and femininity in his looks with a few shifts of the pen. The writing vacillates with Ms. Kaye’s mood shifts. Sometimes, they swing so rapidly from one extreme to the next you wonder if she’s bipolar or if her medication needs adjustment. The book often repeats itself, with the author brooding about a misuse of gender pronoun or the need for makeup (without it he looks too much like what people expect a man to look like). He wonders when his inner anxieties will ever stop as he gets sunk again in gloom after staring into the mirror. One strip that piqued my interest was when he went out late at night and decided to carry mace…something that undoubtedly never would have crossed her mind when she was still in the male form. Welcome to the downside of being a woman, Julia. However, that was it in terms of retaining my attention. While I’m sure Julia’s story is that of many a transgendered person in transition, it wears on the reader to go over the same ground over and over again.
An Important Book
This book made my heart happy and was deeply relatable.The vulnerability and poignancy of Julia's journey came through on every page and I'm grateful she was willing to share it with us. Much needed. Well done!
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