This was a very good book and so funny! I loved the honest tone that this book took. It didn't try to play anything up nor did it try to play down the struggles.

It was less about coming out as gay(and disabled) and more about understanding who you are as a person, which is something that everyone can relate to.

The only reason that it's not getting a full 5 put of 5 is because at times the narration seemed a little dry.

This is a memoir about being gay and disabled (although not knowing his actual cerebral palsy diagnosis until his 30s) and having a mother with cancer and a father with ALS. I thought the author did a great job as the narrator on the audiobook, and despite talking about a lot of deeply difficult and dark topics, the author kept a fairly light tone throughout the book.

3.5

I always struggle rating memoirs because by nature they’re such personal works and Leg is no different. Greg Marshall writes about growing up gay and disabled in Utah, about his parents always talking around his disability, about his parents’ battles with cancer and ALS, about growing up gay in during the HIV/AIDS crisis, about his sister’s autism, and so much more. There is a lot of tragedy in this short book, but Marshall writes about it with humor and heart.

Unfortunately where this book fell flat for me was with some of the blend of humor and seriousness. I appreciated the levity but there were certain jokes or tones to the narrative that didn’t really work to my tastes, though humor is very subjective. I also struggled with some of the connections between the chapters. The book sort of skips around and the transitions weren’t always very smooth, particularly at the end. The last chapter talks about Marshall’s wedding but this is the first we’ve seen of his husband and that whole chapter just felt really choppy to me, and when it ended I was very surprised to hear the end credits for the whole book.

That being said, I do think this was an interesting exploration in the intersection between queerness and disability and I liked how frank Marshall was about his struggles, though I wish he had acknowledged his economic privilege a bit more.

An engaging memoir from a person with unlikely odds and a seemingly unrealistic series of life experiences. The author's narration was genuine and added to the tone of the stories.

Audiobook ARC via NetGalley but the opinions are my own.

Leg is one of the best books I've read this year.

Leg is an excellent memoir of a man who did not know he had cerebral palsy(!) until he was in his 30s because his family hid it from him. But it's also about a man growing up gay during the AIDS crisis - in Utah, where being gay was looked down on. And it's about his mother's cancer journey. And his father's death from ALS. And the struggles his sister who has an intellectual disability faced.

This book was so heavy at moments and yet light and funny. I laughed out loud. I cried. My heart went out to Greg and his family over and over and over.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It is read by the author himself and while that can sometimes be challenging, I promise that in this case? It's excellent.

Please do be aware that there are several possibly triggering things in this book (including death, homophobia, sexual situations including assault, ableism, and many medical situations). I still think it is excellent but please know yourself and what you can handle before reading this.

Thank you so much to Tantor Audio and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book (on audio).

I really enjoyed this! I loved the author’s sense of humour and his writing. For me this was close to a perfect memoir: I learned things and I felt like I got a glimpse into the author’s (& his family’s) life. The beginning was a bit hard for me to get into, but after about 1/3 I couldn’t put it down. I do feel like it ended a bit abruptly but I feel like that with a lot of memoirs, because of course there is no “end” to the story.

4 stars

Greg is funny, relatable, good writer with a wonderful & wacky family. I really enjoyed this memoir about disability, queerness, love, & family.

[What I liked:]

•Greg and his family are such interesting & cool people! His sister Mo sounds like the coolest person ever. His dad seems like he was a really kind, genuine, dad-joke-loving person. His mom must be a force of nature! I enjoyed getting to know them a bit from these recollections.

•It was interesting to hear about Greg’s experiences growing up in Utah as a gay kid during the AIDS crisis. Fortunately he had/has a supportive family, but I have a new appreciation for how things have improved on the disability & queer rights fronts, even though there’s definitely still a long way to go.

•I also appreciated hearing his perspectives on dating and finding love as a person with cerebral palsy, losing a partner to illness, & his wedding.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•I just liked it! No complaints!

CW: ableism, terminal illness, homophobia, infidelity, mental illness

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

There was nothing wrong with the book. I love memoirs read by the author and this was another good one. The writing was solid and the reviews that keep popping up of it being 'hilarious' and 'moving' are on point. I just was not in a place to process this book. I got sad each time I listened to it so I just finally had to set it down for a while.

I adored it. I loved it. It was marvelous.

I'm not a hugely emotional person, but Greg Marshall made me laugh out loud, made me cry and really completely captivated me with Leg. Best book I have read this year and I'm not sure it's going to be beaten.

Marshall grew up being told he had "tight tendons" and only in his thirties discovered that he had cerebral palsy. This memoir grapples not only with his coming out, grappling with his disability, but also his mother's cancer, father's diagnosis with ALS, and opens up a window into the love and loss of family.

Cannot recommend this one enough. The audiobook is narrated by the author, and he does a really fantastic job.

This was excellent! Nonfiction is normally really hard for me, but this really pulled me in and was so cool!!!!

𝗟𝗲𝗴 by Greg Marshall
Published: June 13, 2023
Reviewed by: Mel
Format: Audiobook via @netgalley

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂…
✽ Enjoy dark humor
✽ Enjoy coming-out narratives (not just LGBTQ!)
✽ Don’t mind medical jargon and discussions

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
✽ Cancer, ALS and HIV/AIDS
✽ Cerebral Palsy
✽ Sexually explicit conversations

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Greg, my goodness! You have lived through so many traumatic experiences and yet you have this lighthearted, witty, self-awareness to you that makes you so incredibly captivating. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to hug you - but overall, I ABSOLUTELY devoured this book.

I am so glad I listened to the audiobook, especially since I had an eBook ARC as well, because I truly enjoyed hearing your story come from YOU directly. Between the stories of your high school days, to the Parisian story about your Dad to your badass mom and little Mo, I just couldn’t get enough!

I can’t say enough wonderful things about this memoir - but most of all, RUN DON’T WALK and pick it up ASAP!!

This book was everything a memoir should be--interesting, well told, with slices of life that all tie into a greater narrative. And honestly, I had no idea memoir about a gay man living with cerebral palsey could be as funny as this one was! While dealing with some seriously heavy topics, the author's dry humor made the whole story an enjoyable one to listen to. I felt like I was sitting with a close friend.

My one complaint is that I do think it could have been tightened up just a smidge-towards the end I was feeling ready for it to wrap up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook!

Leg by Greg Marshall is a charming and often hilarious recalling of the author's life, starting from his childhood. He lovingly portraying his family members, in positive and negative aspects. The book unapologetically covers the intersection of being gay and living with cerebral palsy, while dealing with heavy topics, such as growing up with two terminally ill parents. It also serves as a time capsule, recalling world-shattering historical events, such as the AIDS crisis.

The book, however, isn't without its flaws. Greg Marshall spends some time in the Balkans, making broad generalizations and not bothering to learn anything about the region. He states that Albania was part of Yugoslavia and, throughout this section, didn't have many positive things to say about the region.

The audiobook is excellently produced. Narrated by the author, it adds authenticity to the text and the dry delivery enhances the reading experience.

Amazing memoir. I love hearing disabled people's stories. This author has immense humor shown throughout the novel.

leg is a beautiful memoir detailing life with cerebral palsy but more importantly the journey to self-acceptance and radical self-love as the gen alphas say these days. .

from start to finish, i felt greg’s way of sharing his story was just like listening to an old friend talk about what you’ve missed in their life. adding some truly hilarious tidbits and some heartbreaking moments with his parents specifically his dad.

DEFINITELY a must read

thank you @netgalley and greg marshall for the ALC

My favorite thing about the audiobook is the unapologetic inclusion of mouth sounds that would normally be edited out. Being inclusive of disabled voices means being inclusive of all parts of their voices.

From Hidden to Heard: A Remarkable Journey of Self-Discovery and Unforgettable Family Bonds.……

Book Information

“Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew From It”, written by Greg Marshall, is a 349-page memoir published on June 13, 2023. The audio version is narrated by the author and spans 9 Hours and 48 Minutes. It is worth noting that Marshall, a distinguished writer, was honored as a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow in Prose. "Leg" marks his highly anticipated debut in the literary world. Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Transport yourself back to the nineties through the lens of VHS tapes, and you'll witness a teenage Marshall, limping across high school stages or using a wheelchair following leg surgeries, all while grappling with confusing crushes on members of the Utah Jazz. Amidst this captivating home video footage, his mother battles cancer, tapping away at her newspaper column during chemotherapy sessions, while his father copes with ALS. Alongside them, a colorful ensemble of siblings adds to the chaos.

As the tape rolls forward, Marshall eventually finds solace and acceptance in his life as a gay man, only to realize that he has unknowingly inhabited another closet throughout his entire existence: his cerebral palsy. It is within these tangled experiences that Greg Marshall discovers an endless reservoir of wit and wisdom.

My Thoughts

"Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew From It" by Greg Marshall is a remarkable memoir that explores the intersections of sexuality, disability, and family. Marshall eloquently depicts his journey of emerging from two closets, embarking on a deeply personal exploration of self.

Marshall's memoir contains a sincere portrayal of his journey of self-discovery, starting with his sexual awakening (his first closet). Within the confines of a Mormon community that may not readily embrace his true identity, he navigates the complexities of his attractions. As the narrative unfolds, we witness his maturation throughout college and beyond, observing his struggles with self-acceptance and the profound impact it has on both himself and those around him. Amidst his various relationships, we witness a mix of triumphs and potential pitfalls, serving as reminders of the challenges and rewards that come with embracing one's authentic self.

Delving into the realm of disability (his second closet—though somewhat because he didn’t even know about it), Marshall offers a poignant and thought-provoking perspective. What sets this memoir apart is the intimate portrayal of his own internal struggle with undiagnosed (to him) Cerebral Palsy, unraveling a journey of self-realization that he embarked upon without even knowing the challenges he faced. Additionally, Marshall provides a window into the lives of his family members as they confront their own battles with cancer and ALS, amplifying the emotional depth of their shared experiences.

Family lies at the heart of "Leg," and Marshall skillfully captures the complexity of familial relationships. Marshal reveals the nuances of his family's dynamics, showcasing their weirdness alongside their unwavering love and devotion. Through their stories, Marshall imparts valuable lessons about the significance of recognizing and cherishing what truly matters. This is exceedingly clear in the portions of the book that deal with his father, and his eventual decline in health suffering from ALS.

Humor is the glue that supports all of Marshal’s narratives, allowing him to approach sensitive topics with levity and grace. His ability to weave humor into the story while maintaining a respectful and heartfelt tone makes the book accessible to a wide range of readers, adding depth and relatability to his storytelling. Fair warning though, Marshall holds nothing back. While hilarious, the memoir is also raw, honest, and explicit.

Marshall's storytelling style effortlessly carries readers along his journey, immersing them in a whirlwind of experiences that encompass moments of wonder, joy, melancholy, and profound tragedy. His candid and explicit approach adds an authentic layer to the book, inviting readers to connect with his story on a deeply human level.

Recommendation

In "Leg," Greg Marshall fearlessly unveils his soul, offering a mesmerizing blend of humor, poignancy, and brilliance. This unforgettable memoir invites readers to reflect on their own identities, relationships, and the intricate tapestry of life itself. Recommended.

Rating

4 Tight Tendon Stars

It always feels odd reviewing a memoir. I thought this one was funny, honest, and at times a little crude (but in a good way)

4.5 stars

This was a fascinating story that explores sexuality, gender, and disability as well as the complex ways in which those facets of identity can intertwine. It was, in short, an excellent reminder of the kind of book that led me to fall in love with non-fiction several years ago. It made me think, it made me laugh, and it made me question; although I kind of requested it on a whim, I really enjoyed reading this book.

By grappling with fundamental questions about identity and choice, Marshall's prose provokes introspection and encourages readers to ponder the significance of their own lives.
"LEG" is an engrossing and entertaining read that will satisfy fans of various genres. Whether you're a science fiction enthusiast, a mystery lover, or simply someone seeking a compelling story that goes beyond surface-level entertainment, "LEG" offers a narrative that captivates.

Greg Marshall stands out from the crowd due to its unique fusion of genres, its thought-provoking exploration of human nature, and its immersive storytelling. The book challenges readers to contemplate the complexities of existence and the power of our choices. Both our own and others. "LEG" is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and heartbreaking literary experience.