crabbygirl reviewed Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
Review of 'Stone Fruit' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I must admit I found the drawing style alienating; everyone with flat faces and heavy, ugly bodies. except it's probably the best way to draw a story that you are supposed to misinterpret as 2 lesbians when it's actually a woman and transwoman.
there's heaviness in their family of origins, and it's heavy within their relationship. the only joy is thru the eyes of their niece which cannot sustain them. you can understand why Bron needed Ray as a lifeboat as she navigates away from her family (and I assume, transition) but not enough explanation why Ray would equally run from her family - because what you assume is her sister's homophobia toward both women ends up being specific to Bron. so transphobia.
ultimately, it's an overly vague tale that leaves our suffering characters still very much suffering.