An in depth look at gender, what it is and how it impacts so many parts of our lives. I found the interviews to be very informative and eye opening. An amazingly well done graphic novel. Recommended for new adult and adult collections.

A wonderful look into ones journey of gender. Rhea takes the reader along while explaining various steps on the way through various unique voices. Each interview is illustrated how the interviewee felt comfortable with and the care Rhea showed each person truly shows. Each section of the book showcases individuals that dealt with or are part of that community, again the care put behind this project really shines through.

I cannot wait for this to be published.

I have been amazed at the ability of graphic novels to artfully approach difficult topics, and Rhea Ewing's "Fine" does so with a deeply personal expertise. Ewing's exploration of gender identity and the social landscape is rooted in the real-life experiences of interview subjects from most walks of life. Ewing tackles difficult subjects related to gender and sex, such as disparities in healthcare, relational intimacy, housing, race, and community, and does so in a way that encourages the reader to dive into these issues, not despite the discomfort, but BECAUSE of it.

Not since Maia Kobabe's "Gender Queer" have I wanted to shove a graphic novel into the hands of every person I meet, but Rhea Ewing's "Fine" makes me want to do just that.

"Find who you aren't connected with - the people who power ignores. Then listen. Then build." - Rhea Ewing

As Rhea Ewing neared their college graduation, they asked themselves the question, “What is gender?” To find the answer, they interviewed people in their Midwestern town to ask them questions about how they identify, and it brought about varied tales of adolescence, changing identities at times, pronouns, name changing at times, and many other stories. The project grew to be more than just the Midwest, and it’s an inclusive tale of gender. Perfect for anyone wondering about their own gender or just wanting to learn about the experiences of others. Will recommend.

More in depth look at gender and the different ways it can be expressed. More for adult or teens. While it's written in a simple format, graphic novel, but the language is still clear and informative.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is my own.

FINE is a beautifully well-done narrative of the author's exploration of gender identity through interviews they have with others. I really appreciated the interview style being such a major factor due to the fact that, for many trans* people, the exploration of identity is heavily rooted in discussing our thoughts with others, allowing their perspectives to help us draw our own conclusions. It was also wonderful to have different viewpoints that reflect the complexity of gender and its intersection with race and culture. I appreciate that Rhea brings this up in the book and actively seeks out diverse voices to make these topics more prominent and particularly felt that the inclusion of how gendered language affects individuals (such as using gender-neutral language with an English-speaking group and using gendered language within a Spanish-speaking group but knowing that the latter still respects your identity but there isn't really a (convenient) way to utilize that knowledge within the context of gendered words.)

I highly recommend this book and will absolutely be recommending it for our library shelves!

Fine is a graphic novel created by Rhea Ewing that is based on set of interviews, Fine explores different gender identities through many contexts such as culture, race, etc. It gives insight on how different people with different lives and background see gender, as well as letting you follow Rhea's story. A must-read for anyone, no matter their gender identity.

A wonderful exploration of gender identities through interviews and presented by subject. Readers get to learn more on how the intersectionality of personal identities as well as society effect gender along with the author as their researched progressed.

This book was amazing. It was so educational and showed so many diverse and unique perspectives and experiences. It took me longer to read than a graphic novel typically would because I found myself often pausing and considering the text and even my own self. I also love how the author inserted their own story and experience in with those they interviewed. This is definitely a text I would use in a classroom or suggest to anyone who wants to learn and expand their views on gender.

Cute graphic novel stunning art work but very basic overall, though that didn’t ruin it it still would’ve been a little better with some more plot.

I like that Rhea tried to talk to people off all genders when they interviewed people for this book. I like that the book was broken down by subject. Each chapter provided an interesting look into how the interview subjects defined/viewed that topic.

I have already recommended this book to everyone I work with; I think it will be a great addition the pride table and will help readers start open & honest discussions about gender.

I’ve just finished this graphic novel that I was accepted for on @netgalley. Wow. So poignant, so important and so insightful. The topic of gender is one that I always want to read about, learn about and think about. I would recommend it to anybody who feels able to read it x

Fine examines gender in a unique and important way: through story telling. Focusing on folks from the Midwest, Fine tells the important story of trans folks in America today and examines what it means to be trans. A well crafted, focused, and informative graphic novel. I’d recommend Fine to anyone, whether you’re trans or cis we can all benefit from what Fine has to offer.

I have been waiting for a book like Fine for a long time. This excellent nonfiction graphic comic/memoir is an incredible resource for conversations about gender, in all its intersections with race, age, and other identities. This reminds me of "Good Talk" in the ways in which it illustrates the conversations that are happening between Rhea, as they interview people to ask how they identify, reflect on concepts such as "feminine" and "masculine," and speak to their experiences based on gender identity, expression, sexuality, etc. It also reminds me of "The Undocumented Americans" in the way that Rhea as an interviewer is imbedded in the community that they interview -- some of the interviewees have had similar experiences of questioning and gender dysphoria, and these conversations come amidst a struggle for Rhea understand their own identity at the same time.

Both of those books are two of my favorites that have come out in the last few years, and are some of the books that I most frequently recommend to folks that are looking for antiracist learning material. While Rhea is a white person, they do interview a diverse set of folks that live in the Midwest, and the way in which gender identity impacts basic lived experiences from getting housing to using a public restroom to finding community - is deeply moving and relevant for frontline, social services work. I will absolutely be buying copies of this to share in our reading group at work. There is so much nuance in this graphic novel, with stories that directly conflict, and with language that shifts between different users both in talking about their communities and themselves, and while it's in a specific geographic area, you get a diverse set of stories that shows how boring the binary is and how much larger our understanding of gender could be (if we need that at all!). Complex, great for starting a conversation, and sure to be a hit when it comes out.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much. We are getting so many good graphic memoirs that explore gender and sexuality and I am here for it. Rhea interviews several people over the span of years on what sexuality, gender, and gender expression mean to them. A must-read for everyone!

my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital review copy. This is my honest review.

Fine is a graphic novel that follows the author's initial university project examining gender that progressively evolves into a multi-year expansive interview and research project that not only includes a wealth of interviews but significant self-reflection by the author as well.

The format is approachable and easy to follow. The idea of doing this as a graphic novel is inspired--the interviewer and the interviewees are rendered three dimensional with their words and visual representations, This was a sensitive, raw, honest, and compelling book. There were heartfelt conversations, optimistic and self-affirming statements, as well as traumatic experiences and personal histories. This book went beyond gender to include race, body image, ableism, mental health and more; it had. a nuanced approach to issues of privilege, exclusion, conformity.

I found this book informative, heart wrenching, inspirational, and honest. It is definitely a book that is needed. I would recommend it be shelved in any public or school library. It is a resource for all--those questioning, those looking for more information, those seeking to inform themselves and support others.

Highly recommended.

This is one of those books that I want to give all the stars to and buy copies of for everyone I know (and a lot of people I don't know). This book doesn't have any answers, but it DOES have insight. That's important, because I don't think there's any one correct answer for anyone. The more people we hear from, though, the more stories we take the time to listen to, the more educated and informed we become, and who knows how far you can go with an educated and informed populace?

This piece of graphic nonfiction feels like the Vagina Monologues of gender identity and experience. Author/illustrator Rhea Ewing sets off on a mission to understand gender by interviewing people of all identities and expressions with a focus on trans-identified individuals. Rhea thought they would find answers, and they did -just not the ones they were looking for. The illustrated interviews and author reflections are split into sections that relate to the topic being discussed - from healthcare to surgery to pronouns to family relationships to acceptance to rejection to finding community - Fine: A Comic About Gender has it all.

Fine: A Comic About Gender is a dense read. It will expand any reader's perspective, which means it can't be consumed in a single setting. I truly think this piece of graphic nonfiction could be a pivotal turning point in how everyone thinks and talks about gender. I would love to see it adapted for the stage.

A rich visual exploration well worth sharing. I would gladly add this to a classroom or school library collection.

Fine is a nonfiction graphic novel based on interviews the author had with people about gender. This book is not just from a trans perspective, and includes a wide range of different people and their views and experiences. It is a beautiful exploration of the complexities of gender and how gender means something different to everyone.

I liked the art style. There are a wide range of people with different bodies depicted. I would have liked more colour, but that's a personal preference.

The graphic novel format works really well for the subject matter. It makes it easy to really engage with the interviews, without things getting boring or repetitive. The interviews are chopped up and then grouped by theme, so that the book jumps backwards and forwards between the different people as they discuss the different topics. I appreciated the exploration of different intersections of identity, and how that affects a person's view of gender, for example the way that gender intersects with race or disability. The author's own, very personal story is also woven inbetween the interviews. It's interesting that the process of making the book helped the author to figure out their own trans identity. I was able to read the whole book in pretty much one sitting and I really enjoyed it.

The book has a mix of positive stories and more traumatic stories, but overall it has a predominantly hopeful feeling to it, and I felt good once I had finished it.