58 pages • 1 hour read
This Is How It Always Is
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Wisconsin • Contemporary
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel follows the Walsh-Adams family as they navigate their youngest son's gender transition. Born Claude, he identifies as a girl and becomes Poppy. The family moves to Seattle for a more accepting environment, choosing to keep Poppy’s past a secret. As Poppy grows, they face challenges and learn to embrace her identity while addressing safety, acceptance, and gender fluidity. The book contains mentions of violence against transgender individuals.
Heartwarming
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
237,317 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is widely praised for its poignant exploration of a family’s journey with a transgender child, offering readers heartfelt characters and a narrative full of empathy and warmth. While the novel's compassionate portrayal of complex themes garners admiration, some critics find its resolution overly simplistic.
Who Should Read This Is How It Always Is?
A reader who enjoys This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is likely interested in heartfelt family dramas that tackle contemporary social issues with empathy and humor. Fans of books like Miriam Toews's All My Puny Sorrows and Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere would appreciate Frankel's nuanced exploration of gender identity and family dynamics.
237,317 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
Wisconsin • Contemporary
2017
Adult
18+ years
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