The Plot
Luna tells the story of Reagan, a high school girl whose older sister, Luna, is a closeted trans girl. Luna isn't out to anyone but Reagan, and only makes her "transformation" - wearing feminine clothing and makeup - at night. By day, she goes by Liam, and struggles with the roles enforced on her as a boy. Reagan struggles with keeping her sister's secret, especially from her parents, but has mostly accepted Luna's nighttime identity.
Her sense of security is turned on its head, however, when Luna starts expressing a desire to transition more fully - presenting as herself during the day as well. Regan worries for Luna's safety and reputation, as well as her own, but reluctantly agrees to help Luna with some parts of her transition.
The novel follows Reagan's struggles to balance both Luna's impact on her life and her own social and academic life, as she is forced to choose between the two again and again - Luna or her grades, Luna or the cute boy in her class, Luna or her job. This struggle only worsens for Reagan as Luna becomes more aggressive in her attempts to present herself femininely.
Although the title of the book is taken from Luna's chosen name, we only see her life and efforts to transition through the eyes of Reagan, and while Luna's character is absolutely central to the narrative, Reagan's emotions and reactions to Luna's coming out are the main focus of the book.
The Queer Characters
For a book named after her, Luna treats Luna with anything but understanding. Right from the get-go, we understand that Reagan sees her sister as an inconvenience - her identity is something that Regan has to deal with, something that inconveniences and interferes with Reagan's life.
This is especially apparent in the times Reagan chooses to acknowledge Luna's identity. Despite understanding that Luna identifies as female, she still often refers to "Liam" as "her brother," especially when she is angry with Luna. When things are going well, and Luna is being cooperative or garnering Reagan's sympathy, she's granted she/her pronouns and her chosen name. But once Luna makes Reagan angry, Reagan defaults back to he/him pronouns and the name "Liam," as if Luna's identity is something that must be earned through winning approval.
And while many times Reagan does choose to support Luna, it's always grudgingly, as she is forced to give up something else in her life to support her sister. Her growing resentment towards her sister often leaves Luna alone, in potentially dangerous situations, simply because Reagan becomes fed up with her. It's hard to imagine that Reagan truly supports someone she calls "my living nightmare".
A person's transition can definitely be a stressful time, for both the person undergoing transition and those supporting them. Transitioning is ultimately Luna's own choice, however, and as it primarily impacts her own life, her feelings need to be put before the opinions of those around her. Reagan appears to support her sister, but never fully learns to put Luna's needs and feelings before her own.
Final Thoughts
Luna is not sympathetic to its trans character. It's sympathetic to the family and friends who are burdened by her trans-ness, by her very existence, and it's a narrative that almost hurts to read. Trans people should never have to be told that their identities are a burden on their loved ones,
Rating: 1/5
Her sense of security is turned on its head, however, when Luna starts expressing a desire to transition more fully - presenting as herself during the day as well. Regan worries for Luna's safety and reputation, as well as her own, but reluctantly agrees to help Luna with some parts of her transition.
The novel follows Reagan's struggles to balance both Luna's impact on her life and her own social and academic life, as she is forced to choose between the two again and again - Luna or her grades, Luna or the cute boy in her class, Luna or her job. This struggle only worsens for Reagan as Luna becomes more aggressive in her attempts to present herself femininely.
Although the title of the book is taken from Luna's chosen name, we only see her life and efforts to transition through the eyes of Reagan, and while Luna's character is absolutely central to the narrative, Reagan's emotions and reactions to Luna's coming out are the main focus of the book.
The Queer Characters
For a book named after her, Luna treats Luna with anything but understanding. Right from the get-go, we understand that Reagan sees her sister as an inconvenience - her identity is something that Regan has to deal with, something that inconveniences and interferes with Reagan's life.
This is especially apparent in the times Reagan chooses to acknowledge Luna's identity. Despite understanding that Luna identifies as female, she still often refers to "Liam" as "her brother," especially when she is angry with Luna. When things are going well, and Luna is being cooperative or garnering Reagan's sympathy, she's granted she/her pronouns and her chosen name. But once Luna makes Reagan angry, Reagan defaults back to he/him pronouns and the name "Liam," as if Luna's identity is something that must be earned through winning approval.
And while many times Reagan does choose to support Luna, it's always grudgingly, as she is forced to give up something else in her life to support her sister. Her growing resentment towards her sister often leaves Luna alone, in potentially dangerous situations, simply because Reagan becomes fed up with her. It's hard to imagine that Reagan truly supports someone she calls "my living nightmare".
A person's transition can definitely be a stressful time, for both the person undergoing transition and those supporting them. Transitioning is ultimately Luna's own choice, however, and as it primarily impacts her own life, her feelings need to be put before the opinions of those around her. Reagan appears to support her sister, but never fully learns to put Luna's needs and feelings before her own.
Final Thoughts
Luna is not sympathetic to its trans character. It's sympathetic to the family and friends who are burdened by her trans-ness, by her very existence, and it's a narrative that almost hurts to read. Trans people should never have to be told that their identities are a burden on their loved ones,
Rating: 1/5
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