If I could read a book again for the first time…

HI, Kae again! If I could read a book for the first time, I would choose Welcome to St Hell by Lewis Hancox.

Lewis has a few things to say to his younger teen self. He knows she hates her body. He knows she's confused about who she likes. He knows she's really a he and will ultimately realize this... but she's going to go through a whole lot of mess (some of it funny, some of it not at all funny) to get to that point. Lewis is trying to tell her this... but she's refusing to listen.

This is a fun comic about the life of Lewis Hancox when he was a teenager and shows him trying to help her understand who she is, but as moody, confused teenagers tend to do, she ignores him throughout the book. A hilariously fun comic about accepting yourself and the complexities that come along with being trans.

Trans representation in media is a very important thing to me and many trans people as well as trans allies, as it helps people better understand and sympathise with us. It’s especially important for younger trans people or younger people confused about gender identity, because they’re finally being given a chance to relate to a person or character from media they enjoy. I believe that everyone who reads should feel represented by at least some books, and this book was my representation, and my friend’s representation. Representation and relatability of a character can help with breaking down social stigmas and harmful stereotypes, and that’s incredibly important. Especially when it’s packaged in this way, making the trans experience more presentable and easier to understand for people foreign to how being trans can impact someone and the steps they must take in life, or the steps they’ve been blocked from taking. Also, on a more personal note relating to trans representation, it’s nice to see a trans man’s life being presented; trans women are more consistently mentioned in media than trans men, so this makes me happy to see.

I first heard of this book since I was following Hancox on TikTok and enjoyed his skits and characters, as well as tattoo tours and designs. Some of his promotional videos for this book came up on my feed so I decided to get it, and I’m so glad I did. Having such a relatable-yet-different-to-me lead helped me understand that there isn’t a universal trans experience, and that everyone can move forward at their own pace or stay where they are if that’s more comfortable. It also gives me hope that I’ll be able to grow up into a body I recognise, rather than only being able to control my hair and wardrobe.

If you enjoyed this, some similar books are Homebody by Theo Parish, Flamer by Mike Curato, and Lunarboy by Jacinta and Jessica Wabobow. I personally haven’t read these myself, but hear they’re recommended to fans of Welcom to St Hell.