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The Edge of Being
A tender and heartfelt queer YA novel about the multiplicities of grief, deeply held family secrets, and finding new love.
Isaac Griffin has always felt something was missing from his life. And for good reason: he's never met his dad. He'd started to believe he'd never belong in this world, that the scattered missing pieces of his life would never come together, when he discovers a box hidden deep in the attic with his father's name on it.
When the first clue points him to San Francisco, he sets off with his boyfriend to find the answers, and the person he’s been waiting his whole life for. But when his vintage station wagon breaks down (and possibly his relationship too) they are forced to rely on an unusual girl who goes by Max—and has her own familial pain—to take them the rest of the way.
As his family history is revealed, Isaac finds himself drawing closer to Max. Using notes his dad had written decades ago, the two of them retrace his father’s steps during the weeks leading up to the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco, a precursor to the Stonewall Riots a few years later. Only to discover, as he learns about the past that perhaps the missing pieces of his life weren't ever missing at all.
Isaac Griffin has always felt something was missing from his life. And for good reason: he's never met his dad. He'd started to believe he'd never belong in this world, that the scattered missing pieces of his life would never come together, when he discovers a box hidden deep in the attic with his father's name on it.
When the first clue points him to San Francisco, he sets off with his boyfriend to find the answers, and the person he’s been waiting his whole life for. But when his vintage station wagon breaks down (and possibly his relationship too) they are forced to rely on an unusual girl who goes by Max—and has her own familial pain—to take them the rest of the way.
As his family history is revealed, Isaac finds himself drawing closer to Max. Using notes his dad had written decades ago, the two of them retrace his father’s steps during the weeks leading up to the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco, a precursor to the Stonewall Riots a few years later. Only to discover, as he learns about the past that perhaps the missing pieces of his life weren't ever missing at all.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2022
11 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
James Brandon
2 books299 followersJames Brandon produced and played the central role of Joshua in the international tour of Terrence McNally's Corpus Christi for a decade, and is Co-Director of the documentary film based on their journey: Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. He's Co-Founder of the I AM Love Campaign, an arts-based initiative bridging the faith-based and LGBTQ2+ communities, and serves on the Board, as well as the Powwow Steering Committee, for Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) in San Francisco. He's also a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, spent a summer at Deer Park Monastery studying Zen Buddhism, and deepened his yogic practice in Rishikesh, India. Brandon is a contributing writer for Huffington Post, Believe Out Loud, and Spirituality and Health Magazine. Ziggy, Stardust, and Me is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 2, 2022
"I finally understand the difference between loneliness and being alone.
Loneliness is searching for something that can never be found.
Being alone is sitting in the comfort of knowing it was never lost."
I normally don't read YA contemporary, but this book and its sad but beautiful cover had me interested.
I was curious about the subject matter of this book, so I emailed James Brandon for clarification. Here's what he had to say:
To be clear, this is not a book about Isaac discovering his sexuality (his pronouns are he/they), although he certainly explores this part of himself in the story. He grew up in a household that loved freely and without bounds, so gender and sexuality have always been a fluid thing for them. If I had to label Isaac, I believe they'd be pansexual, but even still, this isn't something directly explored as a plotline in the narrative. Rather, his journey is about finding himself as they try to find his dad.
It is not a coming-out story or anything like that. I am even more interested now.
I've finally read it and I liked it!
Seventeen-year-old Isaac "Fig" Griffin is a pansexual teenager living in Hollywood. The son of acclaimed bisexual screenwriter Meredith Griffin, friend to Charlie, a non-binary guru icon, and boyfriend to Christopher a rising Black gay actor, he has it all! Except a Dad. Fig has always wondered what happened to his Dad. His mother won't tell him anything and strange dreams drive to him to seek the answer. When he finds lost letters in the attic, Fig learns that his Dad was a gender non-conforming individual in San Francisco in the 60s. Together with Christopher, his dog Rose Tyler, and a mysterious blue-haired girl named Max that he meets along the way, Fig will go on a journey to find out who his Dad was and where his Dad had been. But a rift is growing between Fig and his mom and Christopher, and Max has her own darkness. Fig will get the answers he needs, even if they bring tears of sadness. And happiness.
This was such a neat little find! As I said above, I don't red as much contemporary YA these days, but I was charmed by James Brandon's words to be, the synopsis, and the cover. While definitely not 100%, The Edge of Being was the first book in a long time where my cover love was reciprocated with story love!
To rip the Band-Aid right off, was didn't work for me was some of the teenager slang. There isn't too much of it overall, most of it is in the beginning, but it still kind of annoyed me from time to time. Additional, most of the cast, except for Max, are rich Hollywood kids and while they do have their own personal issues, or are sympathetic to those around them facing other issues, it was a hard relate. Yes, I'm an adult and relating to any teen in this day and era would bring some generational clash, but when I reflect on my own queer youth (mostly hidden for various reasons) I can't relate to the rich Hollywood types.
Nonetheless, The Edge of Being tells an important story--or rather stories--that needs to be told.
Fig's journey is truly, at times, a heartbreaking one, but also inspiring. Growing up without a Dad has made him feel like half of a person, the member of an incomplete family. The journey to find out who his Dad was is important, but along the way he also learns self-worth. Charlie and others advise him that even if he doesn't get all the answers about his Dad to remember to also focus on himself. He has to learn who he is and what he'll do even without his Dad. A lot of queer kids out there sometimes come from a single-parent home, or may not have parents at all. It is important to find out where you come from and who you parents were, even if they didn't accept you. It lets you know where else you can find love and how you can lover better and it can help you shape who you are. Now, Fig's Dad is not absent due to rejecting Fig. Fig's Dad was queer too and didn't even know his mother was pregnant with him before they separated. Fig does found out who his Dad was, and he feels ultimately grateful for it in the end. It's such an endearing revelation that I won't spoil it.
Another thing I loved about The Edge of Being is that it also informs us about early US, particularly in California, LGBTQ+ history. I had no idea what the Compton's Cafeteria riots were before reading this book; they were riots by trans people and drag queens against the police a full three years before Stonewall. Fig's Dad was apparently involved in the riots while exploring sexuality and gender identity. Fig, Max, and Christopher even get to meet some of the trans women Fig's Dad met back in the 60s. The Edge of Being oozes queer culture and cultural icons, most notably James Baldwin and his novel Giovanni's Room, a book I lamentably still haven't read but really need to. Overall, the book is partial letter to LGBTQ+ history and to the trans women who fist ushered LGBTQ+ rights into the world. While these history parts are significantly present, I wouldn't say they're the secondary plot of the book; that's more Fig and Max's relationship (more on that later). However, it's worth mentioning it because it comes to define Fig and Christopher and makes them appreciate their community's history, and themselves. And for Fig it makes him love his Dad even more and increases the hurt he feels form his Dad's absence.
Now onto Max and Christopher. Christopher is Fig's boyfriend, who is not out publicly despite his agent and parents knowing. This causes friction between him and Fig along with Fig's own issues with his Dad and feeling lost. Fig doesn't understand how it is for Black gay actors, something the book could've discussed a bit more but at least brought it up, which causes more friction for Christopher. Christopher is also hiding a painful secret which drives a further wedge between him and Fig. There is eventually a resolution and I think it was done well, but it could've been stronger.
Max was a character I didn't like at first, but came to love her. She lost her father to cancer years ago and now lives with her strict, religious step-mother. Her father told her to look to the Northern Lights to find him again, and on that looking she finds Fig. She has her own problems. She's suffering from a kind of depression and has been cutting herself; the actual cutting is never shown on page, just the scars and some blood from after. I felt that the way her self-cutting was brought up felt a little forced, but I do like the care that Brandon puts into learning why she cuts herself and how her depression affects her. I love how her and Fig's relationship grew. Max's own journey is, like Fig's, one looking for meaning. One of being. It is just as heartfelt as Fig's and one that ultimate ends in a revelation involved with love as well.
There is love in this book. All kinds of love. Love for yourself, your community, your significant other, and love for the meaning others gave you whether directly or indirectly. Love of all kinds give purpose. Fig's Dad gave him purpose even if he never met his Dad. What Fig's Dad did in activism was love and was love given back to the LGBTQ+ community.
Love. So much love.
Loneliness is searching for something that can never be found.
Being alone is sitting in the comfort of knowing it was never lost."
I normally don't read YA contemporary, but this book and its sad but beautiful cover had me interested.
I was curious about the subject matter of this book, so I emailed James Brandon for clarification. Here's what he had to say:
To be clear, this is not a book about Isaac discovering his sexuality (his pronouns are he/they), although he certainly explores this part of himself in the story. He grew up in a household that loved freely and without bounds, so gender and sexuality have always been a fluid thing for them. If I had to label Isaac, I believe they'd be pansexual, but even still, this isn't something directly explored as a plotline in the narrative. Rather, his journey is about finding himself as they try to find his dad.
It is not a coming-out story or anything like that. I am even more interested now.
I've finally read it and I liked it!
Seventeen-year-old Isaac "Fig" Griffin is a pansexual teenager living in Hollywood. The son of acclaimed bisexual screenwriter Meredith Griffin, friend to Charlie, a non-binary guru icon, and boyfriend to Christopher a rising Black gay actor, he has it all! Except a Dad. Fig has always wondered what happened to his Dad. His mother won't tell him anything and strange dreams drive to him to seek the answer. When he finds lost letters in the attic, Fig learns that his Dad was a gender non-conforming individual in San Francisco in the 60s. Together with Christopher, his dog Rose Tyler, and a mysterious blue-haired girl named Max that he meets along the way, Fig will go on a journey to find out who his Dad was and where his Dad had been. But a rift is growing between Fig and his mom and Christopher, and Max has her own darkness. Fig will get the answers he needs, even if they bring tears of sadness. And happiness.
This was such a neat little find! As I said above, I don't red as much contemporary YA these days, but I was charmed by James Brandon's words to be, the synopsis, and the cover. While definitely not 100%, The Edge of Being was the first book in a long time where my cover love was reciprocated with story love!
To rip the Band-Aid right off, was didn't work for me was some of the teenager slang. There isn't too much of it overall, most of it is in the beginning, but it still kind of annoyed me from time to time. Additional, most of the cast, except for Max, are rich Hollywood kids and while they do have their own personal issues, or are sympathetic to those around them facing other issues, it was a hard relate. Yes, I'm an adult and relating to any teen in this day and era would bring some generational clash, but when I reflect on my own queer youth (mostly hidden for various reasons) I can't relate to the rich Hollywood types.
Nonetheless, The Edge of Being tells an important story--or rather stories--that needs to be told.
Fig's journey is truly, at times, a heartbreaking one, but also inspiring. Growing up without a Dad has made him feel like half of a person, the member of an incomplete family. The journey to find out who his Dad was is important, but along the way he also learns self-worth. Charlie and others advise him that even if he doesn't get all the answers about his Dad to remember to also focus on himself. He has to learn who he is and what he'll do even without his Dad. A lot of queer kids out there sometimes come from a single-parent home, or may not have parents at all. It is important to find out where you come from and who you parents were, even if they didn't accept you. It lets you know where else you can find love and how you can lover better and it can help you shape who you are. Now, Fig's Dad is not absent due to rejecting Fig. Fig's Dad was queer too and didn't even know his mother was pregnant with him before they separated. Fig does found out who his Dad was, and he feels ultimately grateful for it in the end. It's such an endearing revelation that I won't spoil it.
Another thing I loved about The Edge of Being is that it also informs us about early US, particularly in California, LGBTQ+ history. I had no idea what the Compton's Cafeteria riots were before reading this book; they were riots by trans people and drag queens against the police a full three years before Stonewall. Fig's Dad was apparently involved in the riots while exploring sexuality and gender identity. Fig, Max, and Christopher even get to meet some of the trans women Fig's Dad met back in the 60s. The Edge of Being oozes queer culture and cultural icons, most notably James Baldwin and his novel Giovanni's Room, a book I lamentably still haven't read but really need to. Overall, the book is partial letter to LGBTQ+ history and to the trans women who fist ushered LGBTQ+ rights into the world. While these history parts are significantly present, I wouldn't say they're the secondary plot of the book; that's more Fig and Max's relationship (more on that later). However, it's worth mentioning it because it comes to define Fig and Christopher and makes them appreciate their community's history, and themselves. And for Fig it makes him love his Dad even more and increases the hurt he feels form his Dad's absence.
Now onto Max and Christopher. Christopher is Fig's boyfriend, who is not out publicly despite his agent and parents knowing. This causes friction between him and Fig along with Fig's own issues with his Dad and feeling lost. Fig doesn't understand how it is for Black gay actors, something the book could've discussed a bit more but at least brought it up, which causes more friction for Christopher. Christopher is also hiding a painful secret which drives a further wedge between him and Fig. There is eventually a resolution and I think it was done well, but it could've been stronger.
Max was a character I didn't like at first, but came to love her. She lost her father to cancer years ago and now lives with her strict, religious step-mother. Her father told her to look to the Northern Lights to find him again, and on that looking she finds Fig. She has her own problems. She's suffering from a kind of depression and has been cutting herself; the actual cutting is never shown on page, just the scars and some blood from after. I felt that the way her self-cutting was brought up felt a little forced, but I do like the care that Brandon puts into learning why she cuts herself and how her depression affects her. I love how her and Fig's relationship grew. Max's own journey is, like Fig's, one looking for meaning. One of being. It is just as heartfelt as Fig's and one that ultimate ends in a revelation involved with love as well.
There is love in this book. All kinds of love. Love for yourself, your community, your significant other, and love for the meaning others gave you whether directly or indirectly. Love of all kinds give purpose. Fig's Dad gave him purpose even if he never met his Dad. What Fig's Dad did in activism was love and was love given back to the LGBTQ+ community.
Love. So much love.
December 11, 2022
I was attracted to this book mostly because of its San Francisco (particularly historical San Francisco) and Los Angeles settings and both places were beautifully and accurately written. I thought that I knew a lot about the San Francisco history parts but I learned a lot. This is a wonderful Los Angeles book and a wonderful (historical and modern) San Francisco book.
I really liked the characters. I enjoyed how they were introspective and thoughtful, and caring and loving. I loved the dog! The storytelling is engaging.
I love the pro-LGBTQIA+? narrative and appreciated the non-binary character and other characters who identified in various ways and how those things were not the only important things about these characters.
I was glad about the happy endings because there was one conclusion that I found sad, and probably sadder than I was meant to feel about it.
Note that there are a lot of possible trigger warnings warranted here including self-harm and an (off the page) rape.
I got vicarious pleasure from all the research that Isaac/Fig did as that is the kind of person I also am. A friend and I did all sorts of research on others as older children and teens and young adults and some of it also came about because of secrets and lies. I was wondering right along with him.
It made for satisfying reading in a young adult book to have most of the adult characters as well as the teen characters be well rounded and interesting people.
“I know what it’s like, to feel like you don’t belong.… People don’t know what to do with you once you’ve lost a parent at our age. It’s like being in a members-only club you never asked to join. And once you’re in, you’re in for life.”
“I guess I know a fake smile when I see one. It’s easy to put one on for others, even when you’re screaming inside. Just so they’ll leave you alone. I’ve had practice.”
“ I realize now that sometimes words can do a severe injustice to what you actually feel.“
There is a wonderful author’s note at the back of the book. He talks about his own background and about societal change and its current state and his hopes for it.
I read the hardcover edition and sometimes simultaneously read the audio edition which I also enjoyed and is read by the author.
I really liked the characters. I enjoyed how they were introspective and thoughtful, and caring and loving. I loved the dog! The storytelling is engaging.
I love the pro-LGBTQIA+? narrative and appreciated the non-binary character and other characters who identified in various ways and how those things were not the only important things about these characters.
I was glad about the happy endings because there was one conclusion that I found sad, and probably sadder than I was meant to feel about it.
Note that there are a lot of possible trigger warnings warranted here including self-harm and an (off the page) rape.
I got vicarious pleasure from all the research that Isaac/Fig did as that is the kind of person I also am. A friend and I did all sorts of research on others as older children and teens and young adults and some of it also came about because of secrets and lies. I was wondering right along with him.
It made for satisfying reading in a young adult book to have most of the adult characters as well as the teen characters be well rounded and interesting people.
“I know what it’s like, to feel like you don’t belong.… People don’t know what to do with you once you’ve lost a parent at our age. It’s like being in a members-only club you never asked to join. And once you’re in, you’re in for life.”
“I guess I know a fake smile when I see one. It’s easy to put one on for others, even when you’re screaming inside. Just so they’ll leave you alone. I’ve had practice.”
“ I realize now that sometimes words can do a severe injustice to what you actually feel.“
There is a wonderful author’s note at the back of the book. He talks about his own background and about societal change and its current state and his hopes for it.
I read the hardcover edition and sometimes simultaneously read the audio edition which I also enjoyed and is read by the author.
October 23, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5/5 STARS
This is a YA queer contemporary coming of age.
Isaac grew up without ever knowing his father. Realizing that something was missing in his life, he goes on a mission to find his father. He travels to San Francisco with his boyfriend retracing his father’s footsteps during the Compton Cafeteria Riots. Throughout his journey, he discovers so much more than he thought he would along the way.
This was a heart warming story about a boy on a path to self discovery. There are multiple LQBTQ+ themes throughout the book. I enjoyed the history portion with the Compton Cafeteria Riots the most. While I liked the story, I felt there were too many themes trying to be squeezed into the plot and it just didn’t connect with me.
There is also some self harm described if that is a TW for you.
Overall, if you enjoy queer YA novels, this is definitely for you!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC! 🏳️🌈
3.5/5 STARS
This is a YA queer contemporary coming of age.
Isaac grew up without ever knowing his father. Realizing that something was missing in his life, he goes on a mission to find his father. He travels to San Francisco with his boyfriend retracing his father’s footsteps during the Compton Cafeteria Riots. Throughout his journey, he discovers so much more than he thought he would along the way.
This was a heart warming story about a boy on a path to self discovery. There are multiple LQBTQ+ themes throughout the book. I enjoyed the history portion with the Compton Cafeteria Riots the most. While I liked the story, I felt there were too many themes trying to be squeezed into the plot and it just didn’t connect with me.
There is also some self harm described if that is a TW for you.
Overall, if you enjoy queer YA novels, this is definitely for you!
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC! 🏳️🌈
August 30, 2022
CW: Please be advised that there are multiple, somewhat descriptive instances of self-harm in this book. Ever since early childhood, Isaac has been aching to know the truth about his dad, Alex. When he finds an old copy of Giovanni's Room that once belonged to his father, Isaac and his boyfriend take a road trip to San Francisco on an unintentional scavenger hunt to try and find Alex once and for all. In growing up and moving forward, there is pain and discovery to endure in many forms, and Isaac faces multiple emotional hardships in his breakthrough to young adulthood. Quick-paced and full of yearning, fans of Benjamin Alire Sáenz and Adam Silvera will be enamored with The Edge of Being.
October 3, 2022
This is the sort of story that just stays with you emotionally long after you close the pages. I'm not sure what I expected but the emotional punch of this was astounding in the best of ways. Brandon does a great job writing to the target audience and I think most YA readers will love this book and connect with the characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a 'finding yourself' story with a brilliant LGBTQ+ lineup of representation and who just likes a book that will tug the heart strings. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 19, 2024
A solid coming of age story and i can respect the history that went in to it, but i didn't really like the characters used to tell it besides the main character. Idk why there had to be a romance, could they not have just been friends.
October 12, 2022
loved the characters. loved the history. (I knew nothing about Comptons Cafeteria before this.) a beautiful story that stays with you long after the last page. highly recommend.
October 10, 2022
Issac has never met his dad and has always felt a part of him has been missing. He’s truly believes he’s not meant for this world, until he finds a box in the attic with his dads name on it and there he sets off on an adventure of discovery and self worth.
This is an own voice, LGTBQ, heartfelt yet sad story. Isaac sets out to explore himself and his family’s history. There’s a lot of pain and self harm we learn in finding oneself, and in this story. It was unique take from a point of view I never thought of before. The story not only explore family issues, but mental illness, sexuality, and abuse from parents.
This book was touching and sensitive and definitely one I recommended to anyone who’s trying to find who they are in this world.
This is an own voice, LGTBQ, heartfelt yet sad story. Isaac sets out to explore himself and his family’s history. There’s a lot of pain and self harm we learn in finding oneself, and in this story. It was unique take from a point of view I never thought of before. The story not only explore family issues, but mental illness, sexuality, and abuse from parents.
This book was touching and sensitive and definitely one I recommended to anyone who’s trying to find who they are in this world.
October 22, 2022
This book is so beautiful, touching and moving. I loved Isaac's journey and his search for his father.
October 15, 2022
I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. James Brandon has such a unique writing style. He manages to weave love, warmth, and compassion into a beautiful story. You will not be disappointed in this book.
December 19, 2023
i love love loved this , it helped me go through some feelings and for that i’m forever grateful
December 2, 2022
4.5 Stars. Loved it.
I was really excited to read Brandon's next book after I fell in love with Ziggy Stardust and Me. He writes about real queer history that's woven perfectly into a story of someone learning about it for the first time, along with the reader. I had no idea about the Compton Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco 1966, which was the start of the Trans Rights Movement. The way he weaves the real events of the past into a story about present day Fig looking for the father he never knew is deftly done. It is so touching and lovely, you feel like you're on the journey with him.
The way he describes things is so vivid. And I adored Fig's friend group with the fabulous non-binary Charlie, the alluring Max and his boyfriend Christopher. One of my favorite things is how all the characters are queer and comfortable in their own skin, it's not a coming out story. Still, they are all going through something intense and experience growth so that by the end you are filled with hope and joy. :-)
I was really excited to read Brandon's next book after I fell in love with Ziggy Stardust and Me. He writes about real queer history that's woven perfectly into a story of someone learning about it for the first time, along with the reader. I had no idea about the Compton Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco 1966, which was the start of the Trans Rights Movement. The way he weaves the real events of the past into a story about present day Fig looking for the father he never knew is deftly done. It is so touching and lovely, you feel like you're on the journey with him.
The way he describes things is so vivid. And I adored Fig's friend group with the fabulous non-binary Charlie, the alluring Max and his boyfriend Christopher. One of my favorite things is how all the characters are queer and comfortable in their own skin, it's not a coming out story. Still, they are all going through something intense and experience growth so that by the end you are filled with hope and joy. :-)
January 1, 2023
i'm... not quite sure how to feel about this one. on one hand i wanted to enjoy it sheerly for the story of searching for a loved-one, learning the queer history of california. on the other hand, i feel like *so much* happens, and not really in the best way. it almost felt like things were thrown left and right at the reader for the sake of an almost shock factor effect. for such a short book, so much is there. and i couldn't really connect with the characters all that well, which made me feel so disconnected from the story, from their struggles. idk...
December 23, 2022
This well researched novel explores the beginnings of the LGBTQ+ movement in the Compton Cafeteria Riots. We have endearing characters, each going through massive inner turmoil. You get historical perspective from an old hippie flop house owner like at Barbary Lane, and an original transgender freedom fighter. We ride across California to have an adventure of self discovery.
I enjoyed this very much. It was well written and drew me in from the first pages. There were some flaws in my opinion. I didn’t think the timeline made a lot of sense, based on the ages of the parents but I let figuring that out alone to be able to enjoy it. Meeting an original rioter in front of the cafeteria was a stretch.
I am not a big fan of the ending of I’m honest. It felt an odd ending in a book like this for me but I enjoyed the book as a whole.
I enjoyed this very much. It was well written and drew me in from the first pages. There were some flaws in my opinion. I didn’t think the timeline made a lot of sense, based on the ages of the parents but I let figuring that out alone to be able to enjoy it. Meeting an original rioter in front of the cafeteria was a stretch.
I am not a big fan of the ending of I’m honest. It felt an odd ending in a book like this for me but I enjoyed the book as a whole.
October 28, 2022
The Edge of Being is a unique YA queer coming of age contemporary novel. Isaac grew up without his father, later realizing something was missing he set out to find his father. Something I relate deeply to as I have similar familial issues. He travels to San Francisco and discovers many things along the way.
The Edge of being delivers a heart warming story about a young man on a path of self discovery that features diverse themes throughout the book. This story also has roots in history, and I even found myself learning some things about life along the way. I really enjoyed this story and thought it delivered on all fronts.
I highly recommend picking up The Edge of Being for your next queer YA book.
The Edge of being delivers a heart warming story about a young man on a path of self discovery that features diverse themes throughout the book. This story also has roots in history, and I even found myself learning some things about life along the way. I really enjoyed this story and thought it delivered on all fronts.
I highly recommend picking up The Edge of Being for your next queer YA book.
July 28, 2023
I loved this book. I wish there were books like this when I was in high school many years ago. ❤️
November 24, 2022
I loved this book so much. I loved reading about LGBTQIA history and that Isaac was able to find himself through learning about his dad. This was so unlike any story I’ve read. I really wish Christopher and fig would have ended up together, but I’m happy with max too. I sort of wish the ending didn’t take the route it did with max, I felt like it took away from closing Isaac’s story. There could have been more bonding with his mom or reconciliation with Christopher. It was a great read nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2023
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Idk about this one. I did like parts of it. But some of it made no sense and was annoying.
SO this book is about Isaac finding out more about his missing bio parent who was only with his mother for a short time. The two were separated before Isaac's mother found out she was pregnant and could inform Isaac's parent.
We find out Isaac's other bio parent was a trans woman who played a key role in the queer scene of San Francisco. But Isaac misgenders her a bunch. Keeps calling her Dad which she might not like. And then even though all these older queers tell Isaac she was a woman and started going by she/her, Isaac uses they/them for her for a while. It was really annoying. When you know someone's pronouns and intentionally use they/them when those are wrong, that IS misgendering.
Isaac also spends a good majority of this book saying all his problems are because of his missing parent. He is constantly hung up about his missing parent, but his mother is incredibly supportive of him. He has no reason to say all these things about his missing parent, who he has never known. There are plenty of kids that grew up with one parent and don't blame all their problems on not having a second parent.
Something else that bothered me was that even though Isaac is queer himself, he has such a heternormative view of parents. Like he is given evidence (literal queer history) of different types of parenting and still is like parents = one mother and one father. It was really annoying. And he definitely reduced his trans parent to being a sperm donor essentially. :/
The other thing that was annoying was how Isaac pushed everyone who cared about him away. He treats his boyfriend horribly the whole book, even though his boyfriend was half the reason Isaac could even go on this wild goose chase for his missing parent.
There's some great queer history in this book, but Isaac really makes it hard to root for or even sympathize with him. He spends all of this book complaining and not really trying to make things better for himself. He also doesn't change by the end of the book. It felt like the trip taught him nothing.
TLDR: this was not for me. Read if you can stand super whiny boys :/
Rep: white pansexual cis male MC with anxiety, white cis female side character who self harms, queer Black cis male side character, white bisexual cis female side character, white queer trans female side character, Latina trans female side character, various trans side characters.
CWs: Mental illness (anxiety), self harm depictions, transphobia/transmisia, queerphobia/queermisia, physical and emotional abuse (parent/child side character), misgendering.
Idk about this one. I did like parts of it. But some of it made no sense and was annoying.
SO this book is about Isaac finding out more about his missing bio parent who was only with his mother for a short time. The two were separated before Isaac's mother found out she was pregnant and could inform Isaac's parent.
We find out Isaac's other bio parent was a trans woman who played a key role in the queer scene of San Francisco. But Isaac misgenders her a bunch. Keeps calling her Dad which she might not like. And then even though all these older queers tell Isaac she was a woman and started going by she/her, Isaac uses they/them for her for a while. It was really annoying. When you know someone's pronouns and intentionally use they/them when those are wrong, that IS misgendering.
Isaac also spends a good majority of this book saying all his problems are because of his missing parent. He is constantly hung up about his missing parent, but his mother is incredibly supportive of him. He has no reason to say all these things about his missing parent, who he has never known. There are plenty of kids that grew up with one parent and don't blame all their problems on not having a second parent.
Something else that bothered me was that even though Isaac is queer himself, he has such a heternormative view of parents. Like he is given evidence (literal queer history) of different types of parenting and still is like parents = one mother and one father. It was really annoying. And he definitely reduced his trans parent to being a sperm donor essentially. :/
The other thing that was annoying was how Isaac pushed everyone who cared about him away. He treats his boyfriend horribly the whole book, even though his boyfriend was half the reason Isaac could even go on this wild goose chase for his missing parent.
There's some great queer history in this book, but Isaac really makes it hard to root for or even sympathize with him. He spends all of this book complaining and not really trying to make things better for himself. He also doesn't change by the end of the book. It felt like the trip taught him nothing.
TLDR: this was not for me. Read if you can stand super whiny boys :/
Rep: white pansexual cis male MC with anxiety, white cis female side character who self harms, queer Black cis male side character, white bisexual cis female side character, white queer trans female side character, Latina trans female side character, various trans side characters.
CWs: Mental illness (anxiety), self harm depictions, transphobia/transmisia, queerphobia/queermisia, physical and emotional abuse (parent/child side character), misgendering.
December 13, 2024
I usually put trigger warnings at the end, but I'm going to put them here, at the top, because I was majorly unprepared and don't want anyone else to be, either.
Trigger Warnings: depictions of self-harm (cutting), talk of suicidal ideation, dismissal of mental illness of a side character, physical and emotional abuse of a side character, discussion of sexual assault of a side character, transphobia, queerphobia, misgendering
The Edge of Being follows Isaac (nicknamed Fig) on his search for his father. Feeling lost without his dad, and not really knowing what he wants to do with his life, he decides to take his boyfriend and follow the trail of clues his dad left behind. Except in the middle of his road trip to San Francisco, his car breaks down and he meets a girl named Max who offers them a ride. And while Fig and Max start forming a closer relationship, cracks in his relationship with his boyfriend start to grow larger and larger. And Fig feels more lost than ever before.
I finished this book with an overwhelming feeling of whiplash. I think this book had a lot of strands it was trying to follow through with — Fig's relationship with his boyfriend, his growing feelings for Max, his search for his dad, and his understanding of himself — and it just ended up being too much. I would have really liked to have seen less things thrown in there for shock value, and more development on maybe one or two aspects. And while I liked the overall feeling and understanding Fig comes to about his dad, I wish it happened sooner.
I loved the way queer history before Stonewall was worked in. I really enjoyed how the past and present collide, and how I was able to learn along with Fig about all these riots and protests and the key role trans women played in them.
What I was not a big fan of in terms of the queer rep, though, was how it had the pansexual MC lowkey cheat on his boyfriend? I mean, no matter your sexuality, that's just... not a great thing to do. But (and speaking as someone who is NOT pan or bi) I really wish that was less of a plot point. I think it could have been so much more impactful had the boyfriend (I forget his name) either (a) not existent (b) already be broken up with or (c) just be another friend. I don't think it's a good look to have the main character fall in love with someone else while still in a relationship — especially considering how it unwittingly falls into the stereotype of people who like more than one gender being unfaithful.
I don't not recommend this book — it had a lot of great history worked in, and I don't think there's much other media like it. However, I really did not enjoy how much of the plot rested on extreme drama and events, and I felt there was a lot of undeveloped space of actual self-exploration.
Trigger Warnings: depictions of self-harm (cutting), talk of suicidal ideation, dismissal of mental illness of a side character, physical and emotional abuse of a side character, discussion of sexual assault of a side character, transphobia, queerphobia, misgendering
The Edge of Being follows Isaac (nicknamed Fig) on his search for his father. Feeling lost without his dad, and not really knowing what he wants to do with his life, he decides to take his boyfriend and follow the trail of clues his dad left behind. Except in the middle of his road trip to San Francisco, his car breaks down and he meets a girl named Max who offers them a ride. And while Fig and Max start forming a closer relationship, cracks in his relationship with his boyfriend start to grow larger and larger. And Fig feels more lost than ever before.
I finished this book with an overwhelming feeling of whiplash. I think this book had a lot of strands it was trying to follow through with — Fig's relationship with his boyfriend, his growing feelings for Max, his search for his dad, and his understanding of himself — and it just ended up being too much. I would have really liked to have seen less things thrown in there for shock value, and more development on maybe one or two aspects. And while I liked the overall feeling and understanding Fig comes to about his dad, I wish it happened sooner.
I loved the way queer history before Stonewall was worked in. I really enjoyed how the past and present collide, and how I was able to learn along with Fig about all these riots and protests and the key role trans women played in them.
What I was not a big fan of in terms of the queer rep, though, was how it had the pansexual MC lowkey cheat on his boyfriend? I mean, no matter your sexuality, that's just... not a great thing to do. But (and speaking as someone who is NOT pan or bi) I really wish that was less of a plot point. I think it could have been so much more impactful had the boyfriend (I forget his name) either (a) not existent (b) already be broken up with or (c) just be another friend. I don't think it's a good look to have the main character fall in love with someone else while still in a relationship — especially considering how it unwittingly falls into the stereotype of people who like more than one gender being unfaithful.
I don't not recommend this book — it had a lot of great history worked in, and I don't think there's much other media like it. However, I really did not enjoy how much of the plot rested on extreme drama and events, and I felt there was a lot of undeveloped space of actual self-exploration.
October 29, 2022
After enjoying Ziggy Stardust and Me, I really wondered if the next book would pack the same kind of punch, I am not sure why I had doubts, but I got walloped! This was an emotional ride that just sucked me in to these characters and their world. I’m not a teenager struggling to figure out his life, but I remember being one, James Brandon writes with such empathy, and such detail and imagination that I feel I know these people. I sat down and read this book in one go, because I was totally absorbed. Loved it, can’t wait to read more from him!
October 27, 2022
What a lovely story. It's heartbreaking and kinda sad, full of pain. I really loved isaac and I perfectly understand his desire to look for the father he never met.
October 26, 2022
this definetly happened. i miss ziggy
2.4 hours
2.4 hours
November 28, 2022
Beautiful story with beautiful characters. The mix of queer history and becoming yourself was perfect and this was amazing
June 18, 2024
Trigger warnings:
This book was a phenomenal examination of queer (with a refreshing emphasis on trans) history in the united states, focusing on the 1960s, viewed through a modern lens of a 17-year-old Isaac "fig" who goes on a quest to discover his own history and the mystery of his father.
Maybe I am biased (Afterall, this is the first book I have ever tabbed/annotated), but the author weaved together all of the smaller themes and motifs in this story so artfully I could barely keep up. My tabs certainly could not - as I ran out of colors to note all of the different motifs I wanted to keep track of. I used almost all of the 500 tabs I bought (some may say I am extravagant, I say I am thorough) and you can barely see the edge of the book because of how many tabs are sticking out of it. I also read the entire book in one day. Not because it was a gripping thriller, but because the story resonated with me, as a trans/queer person myself, that cannot be explained. if you read this book, you will definitely not be disappointed.
However, there are a few fatal flaws of the book that caused me to (unfortunately) give it 4/5 stars.
1: the character of Charlie, the Main character's best friend.
The best way I have come up with to describe Charlie is a caricature of all things trans/nonbinary/queer. Imagine in your head the most stereotypical white teenage nonbinary character, and that's who Charlie was. To take direct quotes from the paragraph charlie was introduced with: "They're internet famous - Time magazine called them the Gen Z Enby Guru, but they're affectionately known to their followers as the Zenigma of YouTube - after posting these motivational videos that have inspired tens of millions of people." No I did not make that up. This is an actual quote from a published book about queer people. Charlie walks around saying things like "You are only in a hurry because you think you're late. Time's a social construct..." and "Prom night can't even with me." I hate to say it, but I am glad that Charlie was only present for about 10% of the book, or I would have given it a much lower review. Charlie is frustrating because There are other trans characters in the book that are done exceptionally well (a notable one being Grace, I highlighted about half of her dialogue), and the upsetting caricature of queerness that was Charlie was... disappointing, to say the least. It's clear to me that Charlie was only written that way to check a box for "Gen Z queer representation" but failed miserably. As a queer member of gen Z, I liked and related to the older trans characters much more than I did Charlie. Charlie is a prime example of what NOT to do when writing a non-binary person. In case you are scratching your head right now wondering how to write a non-binary character, here is my simple guide: (1) write a character. (2) go back and change the pronouns used to they/them. Non-binary people are just that - people - not your caricature to be used to appeal to a younger queer audience. Maybe speak to a non-binary person before writing an offensive caricature of one in your otherwise phenomenal book.
2:
3: Some random, one-off lines/paragraphs/pages did not feel like they were written/edited to the standards of the rest of the book. The vast majority of the book was written in a beautiful, thematic prose, except for a few lines. the most notable being: "And now he's opening the wooden box with my initials carved on it! [the only instance an exclamation mark is used outside of dialogue]
"Hey! No! What are you doing?" I yell. "Don't touch that!"
which read to me as something straight out of a children's book. It was a strange and abrupt departure from the standard prose/tone of the writing that was jarring to read.
4: the end of the book made no sense. The author just chose to go completely off the rails because it was the last chapter, I guess.
This book was a phenomenal examination of queer (with a refreshing emphasis on trans) history in the united states, focusing on the 1960s, viewed through a modern lens of a 17-year-old Isaac "fig" who goes on a quest to discover his own history and the mystery of his father.
Maybe I am biased (Afterall, this is the first book I have ever tabbed/annotated), but the author weaved together all of the smaller themes and motifs in this story so artfully I could barely keep up. My tabs certainly could not - as I ran out of colors to note all of the different motifs I wanted to keep track of. I used almost all of the 500 tabs I bought (some may say I am extravagant, I say I am thorough) and you can barely see the edge of the book because of how many tabs are sticking out of it. I also read the entire book in one day. Not because it was a gripping thriller, but because the story resonated with me, as a trans/queer person myself, that cannot be explained. if you read this book, you will definitely not be disappointed.
However, there are a few fatal flaws of the book that caused me to (unfortunately) give it 4/5 stars.
1: the character of Charlie, the Main character's best friend.
The best way I have come up with to describe Charlie is a caricature of all things trans/nonbinary/queer. Imagine in your head the most stereotypical white teenage nonbinary character, and that's who Charlie was. To take direct quotes from the paragraph charlie was introduced with: "They're internet famous - Time magazine called them the Gen Z Enby Guru, but they're affectionately known to their followers as the Zenigma of YouTube - after posting these motivational videos that have inspired tens of millions of people." No I did not make that up. This is an actual quote from a published book about queer people. Charlie walks around saying things like "You are only in a hurry because you think you're late. Time's a social construct..." and "Prom night can't even with me." I hate to say it, but I am glad that Charlie was only present for about 10% of the book, or I would have given it a much lower review. Charlie is frustrating because There are other trans characters in the book that are done exceptionally well (a notable one being Grace, I highlighted about half of her dialogue), and the upsetting caricature of queerness that was Charlie was... disappointing, to say the least. It's clear to me that Charlie was only written that way to check a box for "Gen Z queer representation" but failed miserably. As a queer member of gen Z, I liked and related to the older trans characters much more than I did Charlie. Charlie is a prime example of what NOT to do when writing a non-binary person. In case you are scratching your head right now wondering how to write a non-binary character, here is my simple guide: (1) write a character. (2) go back and change the pronouns used to they/them. Non-binary people are just that - people - not your caricature to be used to appeal to a younger queer audience. Maybe speak to a non-binary person before writing an offensive caricature of one in your otherwise phenomenal book.
2:
3: Some random, one-off lines/paragraphs/pages did not feel like they were written/edited to the standards of the rest of the book. The vast majority of the book was written in a beautiful, thematic prose, except for a few lines. the most notable being: "And now he's opening the wooden box with my initials carved on it! [the only instance an exclamation mark is used outside of dialogue]
"Hey! No! What are you doing?" I yell. "Don't touch that!"
which read to me as something straight out of a children's book. It was a strange and abrupt departure from the standard prose/tone of the writing that was jarring to read.
4: the end of the book made no sense. The author just chose to go completely off the rails because it was the last chapter, I guess.
August 23, 2022
My most anticipated read this year. Stay tuned for all my thoughts.
December 4, 2022
4.5
Wow, I'm surprised that I was both interested in the historical aspect and the current aspect. Often I find that when a story is mostly about people in the past, the characters in the present don't have much to them, but Fig, Max and Christopher really were their own people with their own struggles outside of searching for Fig's dad. Although, I personally still found the historical aspect more interesting then the current aspect but I still enjoyed both.
The identity of the Fig was also really nice to see. He identifies as pansexual on page. Also, this is the first book I can think of that I've read where there is an LGBTQ+ male narrator who has a female love interest. Just something nice to know if you're looking for and LGBTQ+ male narrator in a female/male romance.
*Content Warning* *SA*
On a more serious note, there is sexual assault in this story that I think people might want to be aware of before going in to this story. It happens to a side character and has includes detailed description of what occurred.
*Possible Spoiler*
Wow, I'm surprised that I was both interested in the historical aspect and the current aspect. Often I find that when a story is mostly about people in the past, the characters in the present don't have much to them, but Fig, Max and Christopher really were their own people with their own struggles outside of searching for Fig's dad. Although, I personally still found the historical aspect more interesting then the current aspect but I still enjoyed both.
The identity of the Fig was also really nice to see. He identifies as pansexual on page. Also, this is the first book I can think of that I've read where there is an LGBTQ+ male narrator who has a female love interest. Just something nice to know if you're looking for and LGBTQ+ male narrator in a female/male romance.
*Content Warning* *SA*
On a more serious note, there is sexual assault in this story that I think people might want to be aware of before going in to this story. It happens to a side character and has includes detailed description of what occurred.
*Possible Spoiler*
February 1, 2023
once again, James has created such a beautiful, poignant, and important piece of work!! (His previous book Ziggy, Stardust & Me is about as perfect as a book can be!!)
seventeen year-old Fig never met his dad, has felt some weird tension with his mom, and is watching the distance between he and his boyfriend, Christopher, grow every day. it feels like an entire piece of him is missing. and, after finding some old letters from his father, he decides that finding him will fill that void in his life. on their journey, he meets Max, a girl doing her own soul searching.
Fig pieces together the identity someone he never knew and uses those discoveries to figure himself out. it’s not easy, but it’s authentic and cathartic.
i’m not going to go into too much detail because the story is best experienced as it unfolds, but Fig’s journey is a beautiful one. it’s not the kind of coming of age experience that’s usually depicted in this genre. it’s rich in emotions, love, and a whole lot of trans history some people might not be aware of!!
grab this book as soon as possible. James continues to prove he’s an incredible writer who uses his talents to tell stories that are going to stay with you long after you turn the last page.
seventeen year-old Fig never met his dad, has felt some weird tension with his mom, and is watching the distance between he and his boyfriend, Christopher, grow every day. it feels like an entire piece of him is missing. and, after finding some old letters from his father, he decides that finding him will fill that void in his life. on their journey, he meets Max, a girl doing her own soul searching.
Fig pieces together the identity someone he never knew and uses those discoveries to figure himself out. it’s not easy, but it’s authentic and cathartic.
i’m not going to go into too much detail because the story is best experienced as it unfolds, but Fig’s journey is a beautiful one. it’s not the kind of coming of age experience that’s usually depicted in this genre. it’s rich in emotions, love, and a whole lot of trans history some people might not be aware of!!
grab this book as soon as possible. James continues to prove he’s an incredible writer who uses his talents to tell stories that are going to stay with you long after you turn the last page.
January 30, 2023
The Edge of Being is about a queer boy’s journey to find his father after discovering a photo of him in his attic. While he’s always been told that his father was only a name from the sperm bank, he’s been curious about where he’s come from.
Isaac decides to take his spring break and drive, with his dog Rose Tyler and his closeted boyfriend Christopher, to San Francisco, the last known place of his father Alex Griffin. All he has to go on is a photo that was taken at the home for wayward queer youth there. When his dog tries to run away and his car breaks down, it’s an enigmatic girl named Max who comes to their rescue, taking them the rest of the way.
Not only is this a beautiful story of self discovery and finding where you came from, but we also take a beautiful journey learning about queer culture and history.
I will recommend this for the fact that a lot of younger people don’t know how far we’ve come to be able to be openly who we are without persecution and the horror of every day hate.
If you need to smile and cry and be happy and sad, but also just want to feel like you got something meaningful out of your book, read this! Please!
Isaac decides to take his spring break and drive, with his dog Rose Tyler and his closeted boyfriend Christopher, to San Francisco, the last known place of his father Alex Griffin. All he has to go on is a photo that was taken at the home for wayward queer youth there. When his dog tries to run away and his car breaks down, it’s an enigmatic girl named Max who comes to their rescue, taking them the rest of the way.
Not only is this a beautiful story of self discovery and finding where you came from, but we also take a beautiful journey learning about queer culture and history.
I will recommend this for the fact that a lot of younger people don’t know how far we’ve come to be able to be openly who we are without persecution and the horror of every day hate.
If you need to smile and cry and be happy and sad, but also just want to feel like you got something meaningful out of your book, read this! Please!
June 23, 2023
Upper high school appropriate due to more adult scenarios. I’m glad I went ahead and read this book because frankly the cover art sucks and totally put me off reading it. But the story taught me some interesting history I didn’t know and the main character’s journey was not only emotionally fulfilling but also unexpected. So often stories become predictable and end up becoming more wish-fulfillment than actually realistic. This managed to be both realistic and still uplifting. Also, while I can’t really relate to or even understand the main character’s pain, it was undeniable and made for a compelling character and story. I think the mark of a good story is when you continue to think about it long after turning the last page and I will continue to think about this one for a long time.
December 8, 2022
Such a beautiful and important story. And so sad that we still haven't learned to see people as they are. It's books like this, with such a happy ending, that give people hope and courage to keep on fighting the fight for justice. As a cis, hetronormative, white (not really, mixed blood, but I feel white) woman, I can only try to understand what people not like me are going through. It's important to try to understand. One day, I hope, we can all live in a world where everyone is treated equally. Until then, keep writing books like this, so people at least can feel seen.
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