Pageboy: A Memoir

4.3 | 3,071 ratings

Price: 13.12

Last update: 01-11-2025

Top reviews from the United States

Natalie Mc18.

Well written, thoughtful and insightful . . . wow

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024

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! ????

Braden Pickering

A brave, if somewhat disjointed, tale

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023

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.

Meemo

True Story

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024

Very honest autobiography bringing to light difficulties faced by trans persons.. Elliott Page tells his story honestly and clearly especially when discussing family of origin issues.

WR-36

Interesting but disorganized and poorly edited

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023

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.

PROS

Brave
A lot of these stories are painful to read

Empathetic

Tells 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.

Kathy Hall

A good easy read, and so current.

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024

I am liking that it is current and details the hardships of a gay, trans person.

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