You know what fucks with me about You Weren't Meant to Be Human? Cranes parents. They're never really talked about until more towards the end of the book, but all I can think of is why his parents were suddenly in Washville. It's almost too convenient, but AJW is a fantastic author.
Throughout the entire book, Crane hates Jess for being an almost near identical look to him pre-transition. He almost hyperfixates on it, because of whatever is going on with him and Levi. In contrast to Hannah, whose defining trait is that she's young and has a nose that makes her look like a pixie. His parents, who he never came out to, still have that hope that he's alive, just remembering him pre-T. Jess, a girl who's also technically missing and being abused, is a girl that looked like Crane before the hive.
His parents never stopped looking for him. They never stopped. They were there because of course Jess was spotted walking to the hive- just reported as a different missing person. Reported as it "might be that Sophie girl" and they investigated. They probably went to the hospital she was admitted to, and followed that lead back to Washville.
And of course it's his dad that recognized him- post-T, middle of detransition, pregnant and in the middle of labor. Because his dad would know what Sophie would've looked like as a son, because his mom was still remembering him as their daughter. They weren't prepared.
And we can reasonably assume that Cranes been there for the better part of two years by the time the book starts- 20 months on T, add the month to settle in and the time it probably took to get a fake ID and fake prescription for HRT. Which would place him at 19, except for the fact that he turned 18 with the hive, and makes him 21 at the start. So... give or take three years as a missing persons case?
I'm not including the pregnancy time because there's no mention of a birthday in the book (but like... why would there be in the first place) other than it's the middle of winter by the time it ends. No mention of holidays either but Crane mentions having family up in Ohio for them to potentially visit.
But his parents being there- convenient, unless that nurse reported Jess as a missing person, as Sophie, because they look alike. And if it's only been nearly three years, they probably never stopped. They never stopped looking for Crane, and looking in all the wrong places until Jess goes to the hospital. Crane saving Jess, attempting to save Jess, brought his parents to him. In a way he didn't even see. He didn't even think about his parents looking for him, because he thought they'd believe he's dead.
But what parent gives up so easily? What parent looks at their perfectly normal, overachieving and slightly odd teenaged daughter and thinks, "Oh god, she killed herself" and not "Oh god, someone took her." Especially when Cranes parents have political connections.
Miles Abernathy from Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is the MC of the book, and also confirmed to be an autistic trans boy who also figures out he's aromantic later on, while killing off the boys who almost killed him and seeing his ancestor's ghost
Is he good trans representation?
Yes
Nuance
No
RESULTS
Voting ended onMar 31
Please only answer if you are familiar with the source material! Vote based on how good of a trans character they are, not how much you like them!
Sometimes I feel like somethings are created specifically for the creator, just for them and now one else. But sometimes they speak out to others that need that catharsis. Andrew Joseph White, specifically. He wrote amazing, beautiful, repulsive, awful, disgusting books just for the sake of getting those thoughts and feelings out and it just SINGS to me. I relate to Crane and Miles so much it hurts and to have that sort or representation of trans and autistic people other than just hyperfixations, stimming and the surgeries means so fucking much to me. I feel like it also gave me the strength to realize my own disorders and traumas that I did not even realize I buried. Andrew Joseph White is such a beautiful author and idol to me and I just cannot wait to read his other books. His next one is coming out just after my birthday and it means so much to me.
okay but the ADA getting disbanded means everyone is unemployed and has no money. now stay with me here. port mafia sugar daddies it’s your time to step in
It’s been clear that the Tanizakis aren’t siblings from the very beginning
here’s some evidence now that it’s been confirmed canon…
everyone who’s read irl Tanizaki’s book knew that Junichiro & Naomi weren’t siblings as soon as they introduced themselves
BUT just because the Tanizakis aren’t siblings doesn’t mean you can’t feel uncomfortable about them. if you feel uncomfortable, GOOD. that’s exactly what they want
the Tanizakis, Mori— they all use these disturbing ruses to disarm or distract people in order to protect themselves, or to accomplish their goals. this is a writing device that asagiri commonly employs as a way to parallel the irl literature (it’s actually ingenious)
there are 4 main indicators that have always made it clear to me that Junichiro & Naomi are not siblings:
1. most obviously— their character designs. Harukawa is extremely intentional with character designs, & she very intentionally made Naomi & Junichiro look nothing alike
their eye shapes are purposely different
their color palettes are contrasting
even their differing styles of clothing have meaning
this was all done so that the audience could PLAINLY see that they’re not related— so that WE know that they’re lying when they say they ARE related
2. how the people around them respond to their act.
the general reaction is “don’t question it”— which is exactly what they want. “be distracted by how uncomfortable you feel so that you look away from what we’re hiding” (this is likely a protective measure)
3. most importantly, this is meant to parallel irl Tanizaki’s book “Naomi,” where the main character Joji picks up Naomi to raise her into his ideal woman, but since she's so young (& a minor) they call each other cousins (Joji makes no sexual advances on young Naomi btw)
however, his plan backfires because when Naomi gets older & they get married, she flips the script on him & manipulates HIM so that he's under her thumb (which is why bsd Tanizaki is at a domineering Naomi's mercy). Joji let her have her way because of his masochistic tendencies
4. lastly is the emphasis that Asagiri and the Tanizakis themselves put on calling each other siblings.
like they’re desperately trying to convince us that it’s true (“don’t let your lying eyes deceive you”)
here are just a few of many examples from the light novels…
again, if you’ve read “Naomi” you knew that Junichiro & Naomi weren’t siblings as soon as they introduced themselves
just like if you’ve read irl Mori’s works, it’s clear that bsd Mori isn’t a pedophile
just like if you’ve read No Longer Human you know that Dazai’s an unreliable narrator. he makes you think he’s a bad person bc he believes he’s a bad person, but those around him see him differently (btw this doesn’t mean he’s never done anything “bad,” though bsd isn’t about morality— but that’s another discussion)
anyway, i’m so excited for the Tanizakis backstory to be revealed so that we can better understand why they use this defense!!
also let this be a reminder to READ THE LITERATURE if you’re able to!! even reading synopses & analyses of the coordinating books makes bsd make much more sense 🥹
reminder that this how you’re supposed to react while reading bsd:
also, if you’re interested in a post explaining how Mori isn’t a pedo, i wrote this analysis on twt. OR you can read this document that one of my moots sent me (remember: analyzing a character does NOT mean you condone any actions they may or may not commit!)
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