Questions:

-Why did the mother only share that her father was seeing minors only after Alison came out? Did she think she was also going to become predatory, or just explaining why she thought it was wrong, or something else?

-Why did Alison wait to tell her mom about her period?

-Did Alison really suspect autism in the whole family, or just herself & that was kind of an off-hand comment about the neurodivergent nature that was at least somewhat apparent in all of them?

-What are her brothers like? We don’t hear much about them.

-How did she become fully convinced her dad committed suicide?

I quite like the open nature of this book. It’s as though things aren’t entirely secrets rather things she just hasn’t told us yet. I enjoy the illustration, & enjoy reading lots of graphic novels, so it isn’t really hard to get through. Though, it is interesting as the language she uses seems beyond regular graphic novels, which- from my experience- usually use simpler language, but I like that it’s like this. It kind of goes to show it isn’t really a regular graphic novel, but something more than that.

Comments on her suspicion as to whether or not her father’s death was an accident is really intriguing, though considering her opening said that he killed himself I wonder if she got more concrete evidence in the future, or just gained complete confidence in her guess. The way she processes his death & goes about “mourning” by being irritated by pity I think is a bit relatable, though I can’t say I have anyone I think I’d be in such an extreme case of as her. Though her feelings towards her dad going back & forth through appreciation & resentment is a relatable feeling as well.

I’m really interested in how she describes the almost two sides of the same coin like nature between her experience as a lesbian compared to her dad being a closeted gay man. The sex & gender discussions that could come about in thinking about such a thing are really cool, & I think I might want to try to focus on something like that if I’m able to when the essay writing comes around.

i also really enjoyed the open discussion of neurodivergent behaviors, specifically a detailed retelling of her experience with OCD symptoms as well as the suspicion her & her family may be on the autistic spectrum. I think discussion about this in an honest manner is really important in

                    A relatable LGBTQ+ experience no matter the time period

media of all kinds, & seeing it talked about like so is very important representation- as well as the topics around both her & her dad’s sexuality. Both elements are relatable in a larger sense, but this is my blog so I can say they are relatable to me personally! Both being LGBTQ+, less in the secretive way both Alison & her dad lived though, which I am thankful I don’t have to hide elements of myself like that. At least in that way, in terms of neurodivergence, I can’t be really open about it. I highly suspect I have at least a few disorders, but like Alison’s parents it’s not totally something that can be grasped by my family, & they use their own means of “fixing” my behaviors rather than looking into getting a diagnosis & learning to understand my experience. I think this was very isolating when I was younger, but there are many resources available modernly & more of an openness around discussing mental health & a generally more positive approach in discussing them, so I still I’m still thankful in that regard as well.

I wonder if in the remaining chapters more about her dad & his relations impacted himself, her, & the family altogether may come around. It’s been talked about or at least referenced around, but there’s not a full discussion on it all between anyone that I recall.. just the news from the phone call with her mom. I don’t know, but I’m very excited to finish this piece & have enjoyed it all so far!