What do you think?
Rate this book
Minority Monsters!
Greetings explorers, and welcome to Alphabet Soup Land!
Want to learn about the not-so-invisible Bisexual Unicorn? The secrets of the Asexual Succubus? Or the previously unfathomable fathoms of the Genderqueer Merperson? If so, you‘re in the right place!
Packed full with comics of mythical monster, field notes and information sections; this spotters guide of LGBT* and Queer creatures is the perfect companion for any adventurer.
Parental guidance: Contains some adult language and frank discussions about gender and sexuality.
Want to learn about the not-so-invisible Bisexual Unicorn? The secrets of the Asexual Succubus? Or the previously unfathomable fathoms of the Genderqueer Merperson? If so, you‘re in the right place!
Packed full with comics of mythical monster, field notes and information sections; this spotters guide of LGBT* and Queer creatures is the perfect companion for any adventurer.
Parental guidance: Contains some adult language and frank discussions about gender and sexuality.
123 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
65 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 11, 2019
Egyszerű és nagyszerű, rövidségében is hasznos kis ismeretterjesztő könyv, amelyből megtudhatjuk, hogyan lehet frappáns válaszokat adni tinédzserek kellemetlen kérdéseire. Mert ne legyenek illúziói senkinek: azokat a kérdéseket fel fogják tenni. És ha a felnőtt jót akar magának, akkor megfelelő válaszokat kell találnia rájuk. Jó, nem biztos, hogy pont azokat, amiket ez a könyv ad, de kiindulópontnak mindenképpen jó.
Nagyjából a kétharmada szól a könyvnek arról, amit a címe ígér, azaz kisebbségekről. (Mármint nemi értelemben véve.) Egyszerűen, tömören, de nem butítva mondja el, hogy melyik micsoda voltaképpen, hogy ne félinformációk alapján kelljen tájékozódni az embernek.* Felsorolja a velük kapcsolatos tévhiteket is. (Némelyiktől én is elsunnyoghatnék a sarok irányába, mert én is úgy tudtam, hogy, közben meg mégse.) Él a nyelvi és a képi humor lehetőségeivel egyaránt, és tudja, hogy kell viccesnek lenni úgy, hogy az sem nem erőltetett, sem nem tiszteletlen. Konzervatívabb olvasók számára sem. Szerintem.**
A könyv maradék harmada olyan alapdolgokat fogalmaz meg, mint hogy honnan lehet azt tudni, hogy valakit valamire nem kényszerítenek, hanem szabad akaratából teszi (ez ám irtó fontos tudás, és sokkal kevesebb ember van a birtokában, mint amennyi azt hiszi magáról), vagy hogy mi az az identitás, és abból mennyi születik vele az emberrel, meg mennyit raknak hozzá mások vagy ő maga. Vagy hogy hagyjuk már egymást kölcsönösen békén. A vége meg aranyos. (Majdnem) az egész könyv aranyos.
Kifogásom: ami az előttem szólóé. Egynémely kisebbségekről túl kevés az információ, túlságosan épít a szöveg a befogadó korábbi ismereteire. Előfordul benne olyan, amelyikről még életemben nem hallottam, és hát ettől a könyvtől se lettem sokkal okosabb.
Összességében viszont kiválóan alkalmas arra, hogy ha a tinédzser azzal a kérdéssel akar vitát provokálni, hogy ha ő kitalálja, hogy neki helikopter-identitása van, akkor az is rendben van-e - akkor kicsit pontosabban válaszolhat neki a felnőtt annál, mint hogy "persze, legalább akkor tényleg elmondhatod majd, hogy ennyi hülye között csak te vagy helikopter". (Megtörtént eset. Jó szándékú, okos tinédzserről és remélhetőleg jó szándékú felnőttről beszélünk, akik egyáltalán nem álltak konfliktusban egymással, úgyhogy sértődés helyett nevetés, majd normális beszélgetés lett a vége. De azért lehetett volna ebből sokkal rosszabbul is kijönni.)
* Mindenki nyugodjon meg: egyik sem olyan, hogy hallás - jelen esetben olvasás - útján fertőz. Igen, én tudom, hogy jelen esetben nincs is értelme fertőzésről beszélni, de más olvasó nem feltétlenül tudja, ezért írom.
** Azért kétszer vagy háromszor elengedi magát a szerző szóhasználatilag. Bár indokolt esetekben teszi, azért na. Nem kéne.
Nagyjából a kétharmada szól a könyvnek arról, amit a címe ígér, azaz kisebbségekről. (Mármint nemi értelemben véve.) Egyszerűen, tömören, de nem butítva mondja el, hogy melyik micsoda voltaképpen, hogy ne félinformációk alapján kelljen tájékozódni az embernek.* Felsorolja a velük kapcsolatos tévhiteket is. (Némelyiktől én is elsunnyoghatnék a sarok irányába, mert én is úgy tudtam, hogy, közben meg mégse.) Él a nyelvi és a képi humor lehetőségeivel egyaránt, és tudja, hogy kell viccesnek lenni úgy, hogy az sem nem erőltetett, sem nem tiszteletlen. Konzervatívabb olvasók számára sem. Szerintem.**
A könyv maradék harmada olyan alapdolgokat fogalmaz meg, mint hogy honnan lehet azt tudni, hogy valakit valamire nem kényszerítenek, hanem szabad akaratából teszi (ez ám irtó fontos tudás, és sokkal kevesebb ember van a birtokában, mint amennyi azt hiszi magáról), vagy hogy mi az az identitás, és abból mennyi születik vele az emberrel, meg mennyit raknak hozzá mások vagy ő maga. Vagy hogy hagyjuk már egymást kölcsönösen békén. A vége meg aranyos. (Majdnem) az egész könyv aranyos.
Kifogásom: ami az előttem szólóé. Egynémely kisebbségekről túl kevés az információ, túlságosan épít a szöveg a befogadó korábbi ismereteire. Előfordul benne olyan, amelyikről még életemben nem hallottam, és hát ettől a könyvtől se lettem sokkal okosabb.
Összességében viszont kiválóan alkalmas arra, hogy ha a tinédzser azzal a kérdéssel akar vitát provokálni, hogy ha ő kitalálja, hogy neki helikopter-identitása van, akkor az is rendben van-e - akkor kicsit pontosabban válaszolhat neki a felnőtt annál, mint hogy "persze, legalább akkor tényleg elmondhatod majd, hogy ennyi hülye között csak te vagy helikopter". (Megtörtént eset. Jó szándékú, okos tinédzserről és remélhetőleg jó szándékú felnőttről beszélünk, akik egyáltalán nem álltak konfliktusban egymással, úgyhogy sértődés helyett nevetés, majd normális beszélgetés lett a vége. De azért lehetett volna ebből sokkal rosszabbul is kijönni.)
* Mindenki nyugodjon meg: egyik sem olyan, hogy hallás - jelen esetben olvasás - útján fertőz. Igen, én tudom, hogy jelen esetben nincs is értelme fertőzésről beszélni, de más olvasó nem feltétlenül tudja, ezért írom.
** Azért kétszer vagy háromszor elengedi magát a szerző szóhasználatilag. Bár indokolt esetekben teszi, azért na. Nem kéne.
March 4, 2018
Minority Monsters! is a wonderfully illustrated and delightful read. It encompasses a wide range of sexuality and gender identities, including many lesser-known and rarely represented ones, such as genderfluid, nonbinary, genderqueer, demisexual, pansexual, and polysexual.
As someone who is gray-asexual, the asexual succubus made me cackle a bit to myself (& also gave me feelinngggssss, but I digress). And I do feel like it’s worth pointing out that I love the demisexual sword. The inclusion of gray-a gargoyles made me emotional as well, especially as I didn’t expect it, several pages after the asexual succubus. After all, not only is there ace representation, but also representation for multiple a-spec labels, including the one that I identity with?! Let me tell you, already I could feel this book clearing my skin and watering my crops, and that’s even before the seeming miracle of what came next.
So, despite being fully aware that asexuality and aromanticism are often associated with one another (& are similar in concept, i.e., the lack* of a certain specific type of attraction), I was not entirely prepared to flip the page and see, in unapologetically bold bubble type, ‘Dame Sonatina, the Aromantic Siren’. For a moment, though I wasn’t too surprised per se that aromanticism might be included in a book depicting so many diverse identities, I honestly felt as though I might cry. Instead I read the comic while smiling (very widely, probably like a loon), then went on to read the following two pages, and lingered there until I was ready to move forward. I can say with utter certainty that this is the first time I’ve ever, ever even seen the word ‘aromantic’ in any printed media, let alone had any sort of time and care taken to explain it (& with lovely illustrations/character design to boot).
Well, I guess the somewhat depressing epiphany that my entire week+ was made by three pages of aro representation was inevitable, but I’m nevertheless very happy at what I got. So, yeah. Moving on in my review now.
I really enjoyed how Minority Monsters! combined illustration and text. The characters were visually compelling and distinctive. My favorite designs were that of ‘Madame Lucie, the Asexual Succubus’, ‘Dame Sonatina, the Aromantic Siren’ (raise your hand if that surprises you after I waxed poetic about her segment for a whole paragraph), ‘Reverend Tumbles, the Pansexual Satyress’, ‘Baroness Camp Von Glamour, the Lesbian Harpy’, and ‘Mx Alex, the Genderfluid Phoenix’.
-
A few of my favorite lines/tidbits (from the Common Myths segments):
- (AGENDER) If an agendered, asexual, and aromantic person beats you up it’s called a Triple A Battery
- (PANSEXUAL) Pansexuals are SO attractive they have to beat people off with frying pans (well, this might be true)
- (BISEXUAL) (While bringing up the Kinsey Scale model) If you figure out how to break the Hetero-to-Homo Sexual Continuum you will have the ability to travel through time and space
- (NONBINARY) If you free a nonbinary monster from the Gender Matrix they’ll become a kung fu master and overthrow their robotic overlords
- (GENDERFLUID) If people don’t stay the same gender for their entire life society itself will collapse and bring about Gendertropy
And omg the ‘Ally Cookies’:
Ally Cookies
(a perfect recipe):
-Several cups of good listening skills
-Entire tin of open mindedness
-A splash of standing up when other people make bad comments
-A pinch of perception for when someone else is more qualified to speak
Serve on the side as allies should not be the main focus of the meal
-
Overall, the book was fun and filled with humor, while also being succinctly informative and at times skirting the edge of satire. It was a delightful read, and I’m very glad to have stumbled across it online.
-
*yes, I know, there’s probably a better word than ‘lack’, as demi-, gray-, akio-, etc. people exist as well… I just can’t seem to think of one right now
As someone who is gray-asexual, the asexual succubus made me cackle a bit to myself (& also gave me feelinngggssss, but I digress). And I do feel like it’s worth pointing out that I love the demisexual sword. The inclusion of gray-a gargoyles made me emotional as well, especially as I didn’t expect it, several pages after the asexual succubus. After all, not only is there ace representation, but also representation for multiple a-spec labels, including the one that I identity with?! Let me tell you, already I could feel this book clearing my skin and watering my crops, and that’s even before the seeming miracle of what came next.
So, despite being fully aware that asexuality and aromanticism are often associated with one another (& are similar in concept, i.e., the lack* of a certain specific type of attraction), I was not entirely prepared to flip the page and see, in unapologetically bold bubble type, ‘Dame Sonatina, the Aromantic Siren’. For a moment, though I wasn’t too surprised per se that aromanticism might be included in a book depicting so many diverse identities, I honestly felt as though I might cry. Instead I read the comic while smiling (very widely, probably like a loon), then went on to read the following two pages, and lingered there until I was ready to move forward. I can say with utter certainty that this is the first time I’ve ever, ever even seen the word ‘aromantic’ in any printed media, let alone had any sort of time and care taken to explain it (& with lovely illustrations/character design to boot).
Well, I guess the somewhat depressing epiphany that my entire week+ was made by three pages of aro representation was inevitable, but I’m nevertheless very happy at what I got. So, yeah. Moving on in my review now.
I really enjoyed how Minority Monsters! combined illustration and text. The characters were visually compelling and distinctive. My favorite designs were that of ‘Madame Lucie, the Asexual Succubus’, ‘Dame Sonatina, the Aromantic Siren’ (raise your hand if that surprises you after I waxed poetic about her segment for a whole paragraph), ‘Reverend Tumbles, the Pansexual Satyress’, ‘Baroness Camp Von Glamour, the Lesbian Harpy’, and ‘Mx Alex, the Genderfluid Phoenix’.
-
A few of my favorite lines/tidbits (from the Common Myths segments):
- (AGENDER) If an agendered, asexual, and aromantic person beats you up it’s called a Triple A Battery
- (PANSEXUAL) Pansexuals are SO attractive they have to beat people off with frying pans (well, this might be true)
- (BISEXUAL) (While bringing up the Kinsey Scale model) If you figure out how to break the Hetero-to-Homo Sexual Continuum you will have the ability to travel through time and space
- (NONBINARY) If you free a nonbinary monster from the Gender Matrix they’ll become a kung fu master and overthrow their robotic overlords
- (GENDERFLUID) If people don’t stay the same gender for their entire life society itself will collapse and bring about Gendertropy
And omg the ‘Ally Cookies’:
Ally Cookies
(a perfect recipe):
-Several cups of good listening skills
-Entire tin of open mindedness
-A splash of standing up when other people make bad comments
-A pinch of perception for when someone else is more qualified to speak
Serve on the side as allies should not be the main focus of the meal
-
Overall, the book was fun and filled with humor, while also being succinctly informative and at times skirting the edge of satire. It was a delightful read, and I’m very glad to have stumbled across it online.
-
*yes, I know, there’s probably a better word than ‘lack’, as demi-, gray-, akio-, etc. people exist as well… I just can’t seem to think of one right now
February 13, 2018
I picked this one up in a small comic book shop in Manchester and I'm so glad I did :D It's not only cute and funny, it's also very informative. Definitely 5 stars!
November 6, 2017
A book that needs to be put in every hands. Weither they're a minority monster or not, everyone should have access to this book. I kickstarted it, and I don't regret it.
It's informative, and fun. I was sort of expecting it to be page after page of basic information, which it is, but there's also just enough link between the pages to make it a story to follow. Of course it's not an in-depth look in any minorities, but for someone still trying to figure out who they are, this book would be a great first step, which is why it would be great to see it in libraries and schools. And even though I am a minority monster myself, I learned things about others.
And the drawings are gorgeous, which is a big bonus.
It's informative, and fun. I was sort of expecting it to be page after page of basic information, which it is, but there's also just enough link between the pages to make it a story to follow. Of course it's not an in-depth look in any minorities, but for someone still trying to figure out who they are, this book would be a great first step, which is why it would be great to see it in libraries and schools. And even though I am a minority monster myself, I learned things about others.
And the drawings are gorgeous, which is a big bonus.
October 31, 2018
I was a really big fan of the comics online. Somehow I missed the Kickstarter announcement, but when I saw the booth at comic Con last year, I was ecstatic. The book is even better than the online comic, which I didn't think was possible. It's such a good and fun read, I really recommend it to everyone. Honestly, I especially thing it's great for people new in the not straight environment, or I think it would be such a great start for a kid's education on these subjects!
September 26, 2017
Enjoyable look at a lot of the queer spectrum. Good inclusion (and decimation) of problematic attitudes, while keeping the tone light. My one complaint is that, if a few expletives had been deleted, it would have been a beautiful choice for introducing the very young to a lot of these concepts. As is, it's probably fine for most preteens and teenagers.
November 9, 2017
I read thks thinking it would be some silly funny stories, but it was actually very informative. gave a brilliant over view our the vast and varied world of gender identity and sexuality with Some truly spectacular puns thrown in. highly recommend giving it a read.
November 30, 2018
Lovely book that explores gender and sexuality, explaining the myriad of expressions beautifully. It’s wonderful to see myself reflected on the pages of this book. I’d highly recommend it for anyone! Especially people who have no idea about our fabulous array of monsters.
December 27, 2017
This book was amazing! The perfect amount of educational and hilarious!
January 14, 2018
Backed this on kickstarter and I am not disappointed! Love Tabs comic style and it's full of information too. Already got a friend to want their own copy
January 21, 2018
Adorable and informative.
June 19, 2018
A fun, interesting, cute, educational, funny, important and silly book. Thumbs up!
April 28, 2019
Absolutely brilliant! What a wonderful, fun way to help people understand each other. Love it!
August 1, 2019
A fun lil book, I'm not 100% sure who it's aimed at but I had a good time so oh well.
April 20, 2020
it's basically all of the sexualities and relationship formations and labels and genders and stuff but as magical creatures!!!!! it's so cute
January 20, 2021
Highly enjoyable! I like the art style a lot. Content is informative, but entertaining.
I *may* be biased by Madam Lucie Decline.
I *may* be biased by Madam Lucie Decline.
December 22, 2024
Delightful adventure into the queer world of alphabet soup land. Lighthearted and fun, while still informative.
December 1, 2021
Not only is this book adorable with unique and well-drawn characters - it’s the most inclusive thing I’ve ever touched! The way that the story winds through the different spectrums of the rainbow mafia was delightful, and so easy to share with others. It helped me start a few conversations with some people who apparently needed a cute visual aide to get it.
November 11, 2017
rating: 4.5 stars
October 4, 2018
Lovely, lovely book. The art style is really quirky and cute, and the whole thing’s just a big explosion of colour and gorgeousness. I love how it explains everything in a way that’s easy for beginners to understand, but is still really interesting to people who know a lot of it already. There’s loads of humour thrown in there, with excellent relatable myths, witty comics, and silly annotations of the monster pictures. Much recommend.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews