Holding Still For As Long As Possible
by Zoe Whittall
Published 2010 by House of Anansi Press
Read April 2011
Purchased
I was overjoyed when I found out that Holding Still For As Long As Possible had won the 2011 Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Fiction. It is, hands down, the best novel featuring a trans character that I have read since Stone Butch Blues.
Holding Still For As Long As Possible is the first novel I’ve ever read that has real relevance to my own dating experience. Whittall manages to capture the unique experience of a cis person dating a trans person. In fact, reading about Josh (a trans man) and Amy’s relationship, which is slowly unraveling after six years together, forced me to set the book down at several times because it so closely resembled the breakup I was going through at the time I read the book.
I could summarize the book, but really I just wouldn’t do it justice. Have you ever read the exact right book at the exact right time? That’s what this book was for me. I want to hug it and hug Zoe Whittall and then hand out copies to all of you while tap dancing in a rain of glitter*.
Grade: A-
Recommended: to those who enjoy realistic literature and those who are looking for multifaceted queer characters in fiction. Also everyone who is reading this.
*Yeah, that’s right. A rain of glitter.Hush.
Great book. I think this is definatly an interesting read.
Have you read it? I think it’s pretty wonderful.
So were there unicorns under that rain of glitter?
I think unicorns would put it a little over the top.
1. I want this book and will be hunting the city tonight to find it. I see one copy at a store downtown sooo… I might just have to head that way
2. Can I please see the rain of glitter? Can I dance with you in it?
Obviously you can dance in the rain of glitter with me, especially since you have already bought the book! Love it.
*non-creepy internet hugs*
Rain of glitter is the best thing I have heard about all day. Does it change colour?
Thanks Jodie.
*SEVERAL HUGS*
Rain of glitter definitely changes color. I think from the silver to bronze to gold spectrum. Also pink.
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