"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library" - Jorge Luis Borges

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Reading: I AM PERFECTLY DESIGNED - Karamo Brown & Jason "Rachel" Brown (authors), Anoosha Syed (illustrator)

1st line: "First there was you, Dad."

Prose (Story): Written after dealing with the experiences of Queer Eye alum Karamo Brown's reaction to his own son's coming out to him, I Am Perfectly Designed is a picture book following a man and his young son as they explore the city around them ... and the bond they will always share.

Don's (Review): A loving story of bonding between father and son, in which the dad seeks to emphasize to his chld that he is perfect exactly as he is - and always will be, no matter what - I Am Perfectly Designed, beautifully illustrated by Anoosha Syed, ultimately (and sadly) becomes a one-note wonder fast, seemingly unwilling to really "go there" as the same initial message given in the book's title is simply repeated over and over again throughout; no elaboration or exploration. Anyone seeking anything deep, especially knowing that the book was written by a father-and-son duo who had to overcome a couple hurdles of their own when the son came out to his dad, identifying as pansexual, will be disappointed by what appears to be little more than a catchphrase accompanied by great art, as opposed to what it could have been by way of real substance - especially in light of the real-life story behind it.  2.5/5 stars

No comments:

Post a Comment