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This post is my review for my second ever advance copy of a book, the brilliant 'Something To Be Proud Of' by Anna Zoe Quirke. Thank you very much to Little Tiger for sending me a proof copy and giving me the opportunity to read and review 'Something To Be Proud Of' ahead of its publication on June 6th!
The book follows Imogen Quinn (she/they), a chaotic bisexual and aspiring stand-up comedian, subverting stereotypes about autistic people. After a distressing experience at their first ever Pride, they decide to put on their own accessible version of the festival, with the help of Ollie Armstrong, the openly gay football team captain.
Ollie is initially reluctant due to the ongoing impact from his parents' divorce, but he can't help but be swept up by Imogen's enthusiasm as they join the annoyingly perfect head girl, band members, artists and baking extraordinaires in creating a plan to make a Pride for all, tackling injustices at their school along the way.
I fell in love with this book the moment that I found out that it existed. Just the fact that there was another person out there, writing about the intersectionality of neurodivergent and queer identities and celebrating them in their wholeness made me feel like I was enough, and made me feel seen for my authentic self. When I found out that proof copies were available, there was no way I wasn't going to request one! I couldn't wait to dive in and meet Imogen and Ollie when the book arrived, and the opening lines cemented 'Something To Be Proud Of' as one of my go-to comfort reads!
The central protagonist, Imogen Quinn, is one of the most uplifting characters I have ever spent time with. Her unique voice made me smile, laugh and feel empowered at every turn, her glittery presence filling the pages with joy and happiness. Imogen means a lot to me as a character; although I have read books with amazing autistic representation before, I haven't ever come across a novel which celebrates a neurodivergent protagonist who is also LGBTQ+ as one of the main themes within the narrative. I'm still near the beginning of my journey in terms of exploring what my queer identity means to me, so to read a book which advocates for, validates and takes pride in being both autistic and queer in such an unapologetic way felt really important and emotional for me at this stage in my life.
I will definitely be borrowing some of Imogen's incredible one-liners to use in real life; the comedy aspects of the narrative really stood out to me as some of my favourite moments.
Reading about Imogen essentially carving out their own space in the world and making their own rules through the medium of stand-up felt so moving and empowering, but was also just really funny to read! I'm not usually a fan of comedy or 'enforced' fun, but I loved the feeling of complete inclusion I had when reading Imogen's comedy scenes as one of the few readers/audience members who will understand all of the neurodivergent inside jokes.
I really liked the way that comedy is used as a tool throughout the narrative; for me, it allowed the book's message of acceptance and the need for change to shine through without ever straying into lecture territory, which is such a clever and accessible way of exploring and connecting with what could potentially be quite a heavy theme.
The fundraisers are such enjoyable plot points- I loved this alternative suggestion which shows how to harness anger and injustice in a really productive and supportive way, offering young people the chance to find power in places where they usually have none.
The fundraising antics are utterly joyful, bursting with moments of creativity, community and laughter.
I will forever be in awe of the way in which Anna Zoe Quirke is able to capture both the hardships and joys of being disabled, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ without diminishing either part of the experience. I love the fact that Quirke places emphasis on the freedom of being able to write your own rules as being a real positive of living authentically as a disabled person. I feel that difference is often patronisingly ameliorated in an attempt by the non-disabled to remove negative stigma, yet Quirke's world is the furthest thing from this, instead promoting true, non-tokenistic acceptance to find strength in disabled and queer identities without ever brushing aside the all too real and often invalidated struggles.
I think many neurotypical and non-disabled readers would really benefit from reading 'Something To Be Proud Of', as each of the protagonists gets to tell their story, their way, providing an excellent opportunity for empathy between communities.
I felt really validated reading about just how inaccessible school spaces are. The characters' justified anger and feelings of embarrassment, inadequacy and inconvenience are all things that I have experienced when asking for accommodations in the past, so it was both frustrating and comforting to know that I am not the only one who has had their access needs deemed as non-essential.
Ollie's journey to find himself and his place in the world was breath-taking to read. His quiet but definite growth into his most authentic self was really profound, and I loved how Ollie and Imogen finding one another allowed them both to develop into the people they really wanted to be inside. Their friendship is one of the most beautiful affirmations of the power of platonic love that I have ever read, and shows the importance of finding people who love you for who you are, just the way you are.
I thought that the way Ollie learnt more about how to love and support Imogen as an autistic person was very real, but also a lovely example of how to be fully supportive of a neurodivergent friend that I hope many readers will be able to apply to their own real life interactions.
The message of toxic masculinity explored through Ollie's experiences has stayed with me. The moments where Ollie starts to finally take control over his life, and realises that he, and only he, gets to define what it means to be him are so heart-warming and tear-jerking. I think that many young men will really connect to Ollie's story, and the moments where he realises that everything he needs is already within him.
'Something To Be Proud Of' has given me the courage to explore an unmasked, brighter and braver version of myself, whilst letting me know that the way in which I exist is not wrong, it just is, and that is something to take pride in. I am so grateful to have read about an autistic character being able to thrive, shine and exist as their truest self, with no caveats or conditions. This book has shown me that it is possible for all aspects of my identity to be loved and accepted, and that I am allowed to exist in my wholeness, celebrating my full self, not just parts of me. I will return again and again to 'Something To Be Proud Of' and its world of kindness, empowerment and joy; thank you to Anna Zoe Quirke for writing such a special book.
Get ready to make some noise with 'Something To Be Proud Of', publishing on June 6th 2024, available to pre-order now.
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