A stunning graphic novel memoir that is so so important. Showing the struggles of growing out of your own skin and coming into yourself. I love this. A truly important read.

This was an incredible book! As a cisgender person, my understanding of the experience of being non-binary is limited, and Theo's memoir absolutely helped me understand more. The illustration is beautiful and the message is clear, accessible and profound. I hope this finds its place in so many schools and libraries across the UK, and into the personal libraries of many. I have no doubt it will shape the knowledge of anyone who reads it, and warms their hearts too.

this was an amazing memoir from theo parish. this is a story i really needed when i was younger, i related on so many levels. im so happy we've got to a point where these type of books are being published, trans and non-binary stories are so necessary.
"there is nothing wrong with my body... and i am grateful to have it" - this is the point i am at.

A lovely comic-style narrative of finding one's own space in the body we call home. One size doesn't fit all and this endearing story reflects the reality of exploring oneself, one's body and one's home in the world -- both physically and figuratively.

Homebody is a gorgeously illustrated graphic novel and memoir by debut author Theo Parish. Fans of Heartstopper will really relate to the expressive art style and I really enjoyed the amount of diversity shown within all the varied people depicted.
As a fellow nonbinary person, I cannot tell you how much I related to what Theo depicted in this book - it really resonated with me and I think using visuals was honestly the perfect way for them to tell their story. The memoir follows a younger Theo as they journey and try to find the path which for so many people (both trans and cisgender) is often a straight(HA)forward one - you follow the easy directions presented to you and find yourself comfortably situated in the male or female camp. For a nonbinary person however, the directions often don't make sense and the memoir displays this so well by having the young Theo going off the path and instead their travel being more about the journey and what they find along the way rather then the destination. Gender and sexuality are so often confused by people and having your gender identity be something that takes longer to realise was very akin to my own experience.
This really felt like a book that whilst perfect for fellow nonbinary people such as myself, would make the concept of nonbinary identities make sense to others as well and people who don't necessarily understand what means. I found this book to very uplifting and inspiring and I really liked seeing how Theo's journey was one full of doubt and wasn't something that just quickly happened. I really want to share this with other people, particularly young trans people still finding their own way in life.
In terms of any criticisms I may have, I think the only element I can really pick out (other then the book's obvious short length, which is not particularly a detriment), is the more muted colour palette depicted throughout. I'm not sure if it was just the early edition that I received but everything was displayed in shades of blue and purple and I wished there was a little more colour throughout but I do understand this was likely an artistic choice and it does lend a certain vintage and more melancholy air to the book as a whole.
I'll definitely be checking out Theo's future work and I'm excited to see what they will write next!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Homebody' by Theo Parish.

'Homebody' is one of those books I'd qualify as an essential read. Theo Parish's graphic novel based memoir tells their story about their gender and their life. I loved the art style but I especially loved the way Theo told their story. No matter who you are, you can definitely find some points to take from Theo. As they said, your body is like a house and you need to make it into your home but it may take some time and that's okay.

A wonderfully illustrated and moving book that feels very relevant and important in today’s world.
I do not hesitate in recommending it to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to view this book.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

How I read this book: eBook

So the reasons I wanted to read this book is because 1: I LOVE graphic novels (catch me reading Lore Olympus every Sunday), 2: I'm part of the LGBT+ community myself and like to consume media written by LGBT+ individuals, and 3: My partner is non binary themselves and I wanted to see if it was something they would like to read when it comes out also. Friends, I am so glad I managed to get a copy of this book. First of all, the artwork in this book was gorgeous and genuinely blew my mind, I loved Theo's art style and adored that every page was just the colours of the trans flag. Secondly, I have never read a memoir in the form of a graphic novel before and the way Theo told their story throughout the book warmed my heart and genuinely had me tearing up at the end (happy tears, that is!). Thirdly the way Theo describes being non binary makes it so easy to understand and this book could definitely be used to help trans youths discover themselves and know that it's okay to be themselves. I knew from the moment Theo introduced us to their pets in the start that I was going to love this graphic novel, I just didn't understand how much. I ended up reading this in less than 24 hours and have followed them on their IG so I can see more of their art. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised about how much I loved this book, and I would genuinely recommend this to everyone and anyone.

(If you'd like to see more of my reviews please go to my blog:
https://doesden.blogspot.com/)

If you enjoyed Heartstopper then this one is definitely for you.

It was so cute and told a really important message. The illustration was relevant and told the story really well. It was definitely one of those books you could read over and over again and not get bored of it.

The only downside for me was that it obviously addresses issues about growing up learning to know yourself and that self discovery journey but other than that it didn’t really have other context to it.

Loved this book - visually charming and gives the feeling of effortlessly (though I know of course it can't have been effortless) conveying what are actually some complex, nuanced feelings about gender identity. It helped me in my own exploration of this and I have no doubt can help many others, especially (but not limited to - I'm 47) younger people. The visual metaphor of finding your own home in terms of self and carrying that with you works really well. And I loved the open-endedness - the recognition that all of our identities are works in progress, they don't need to fit any predefined moulds, and we don't ever have to have all the answers about ourselves.

Theo, you owe me a box of tissues!

This was beautifully written and illustrated, the style of it being a graphic novel making it accessible to a range of readers and may help appeal to younger people as well!

Anyone who has ever questioned their identity or feels like they don't belong should read this, and anyone who isn't sure how to support someone feeling those things should read this too - a fabulous addition to the LGBTQ+ literary space

Thank you to Net Galley, Macmillan, and of course, Theo for this ARC

This is a gorgeous book. I felt so emotional reading it and I was able to connect with lots of the ideas in the book. I feel that this book ca speak to lots of people about just being ourselves and finding our place in the world.

This book is amazing! I loved reading about the author’s experience with gender exploration, and figuring out the labels they felt most comfortable with. The art style was gorgeous and I loved looking at all the illustrations throughout. I love reading books like this and thought the author did a fantastic job, and everyone should read it!

*I am extremely grateful to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books to have had the chance to read this before publication in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Homebody has made me feel so warm inside. It reminds me of how I first felt when I read Heartstopper for the first time but I can connect to this even more. Not only did it have a relatable story and beautiful art, but it also approached trans identities from a personal and educational perspective. I would recommend this to anyone who is struggling with their gender identity or who wants to understand what it might be like to go through this journey.

Homebody by Theo Parish comes out 25th April 2024

Absolutely beautiful. The themes, art style and narrative all come together to create a story so close to my heart that I teared up. Thank you Parish for sharing your story with us and to a fellow non binary person, thank you for sharing how all our journeys are so unique and beautiful. Certainly one I will be recommending to others.

Can't wait to get this in work! It's beautiful, simple, and so heartfelt. The lack of use of colour is so cool, using only the colours of the trans flag throughout. I also very much appreciate that this book acknowledges the existence of trans people outside of the traditional binary. Loved it.

Living authentically is something a lot of trans+ people talk about, but it's difficult to put into words exactly what that is. This book is the best example of being authentic.

It's a book I recommend to anyone exploring their gender identity, to anyone who knows someone who is non-binary (especially if they've come out recently), and to anyone who wants to understand the perspective of non-binary people.

Theo perfectly describes what I can't put into words for myself: how gender changes, how it impacts your life in so many seen and unseen ways, and how it feels to embrace your authentic self, especially in these times. It's a memoir that screams empathy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC ❤️

I found Theo's journey of gender exploration so, so relatable to the point of getting mad at my own memories. Has every AFAB person asked a hairdresser for a masculine cut just for them to completely ignore us?! I ask for a short back and sides and I leave looking like my name is Karen and I simply must speak with your manager?!

Anyway. It was a very easy and digestible read. The art and font style were lovely and aided rather than inhibited my reading (compared with, for example, Palestine by Joe Sacco, whose unique text style slowed down my reading pace). This is a great book both for those nearer the end of their gender identity journey, reminiscing and relating to shared experiences, and for younger audiences who might be learning about non-binary identities for the first time. I also greatly appreciated the emphasis on there not needing to be a rush or a fixed point on your journey - you can take your time and change your mind and experiment and it doesn't make you any less valid as a person. There were also some very subtle comedic moments, which helped keep the tone lighthearted.

One thing I would encourage the author (and the community as a whole) to think more about is the phrasing of 'preferred' when referring to names and pronouns. Sometimes, yes, they are preferred, and the individual is comfortable with names or pronouns outside of those given. But for the most part, I would encourage removing this language softener. It is okay for you to say 'my pronouns are they/them'. It isn't a preference, it simply /is/, and it should be respected.

4.5/5

A beautiful graphic memoir that I loved. I will be getting a copy for my son, who needs to hear all of this.

This is a gorgeously illustrated book with a simple yet powerful story. This is one that I’d love to get a physical copy of for my collection when it comes out and I imagine I will re-read in the future!