Book Review: Symptoms of Being Human
By: Kaitlyn McMullin
“Symptoms of Being Human” is the first novel written by Jeff Garvin. He came up with the idea after he and his friends were talking about a transgender girl who was suing her school for the right to use the girls’ locker room. One of his friends commented about how the transgender girl is most likely a “pervy boy trying to see some boobs.” That next morning Garvin went home and began to write a story of a young teenager named Riley.
Garvin began to type as Riley “Am I a boy, or am I a girl?” he was unsure how to answer the question, after he continued writing, hoping the answer would come to him, he realized that Riley was neither a “boy” or a "girl," but both. Garvin discovered Riley was non-binary, gender fluid.
Riley states:
"People are complicated. And messy. Seems too convenient that we'd all fit inside some multiple-choice question."
For those of who are unaware of gender fluidity, gender fluid is when someone’s gender identity changes. Where the person may feel as though they are female, and other times they may feel as though they are male. Garvin wrote 50 pages and showed his writers group, which then they asked him whether or not gender fluid was an actual thing, and it was in that very moment he knew he had to write the book. With that, the birth of “Symptoms of Being Human.”
“Symptoms of Being Human” is about 16-year-old Riley Cavanaugh, the child of a congressman, who is transferred to a new school in hopes of a fresh start but runs into bullying about whether Riley is a boy or a girl. On Riley’s first day at the new school, before Riley is able to walk onto campus, a girl is curious to whether Riley is male or female, and she calls Riley “it” to substitute “her” or “him.”
Garvin shines the light on how teenagers who belong to the LGBTQ+ community struggle with themselves, and their mental health. He shows what it is like through writing about how Riley struggles with body dysmorphia, anxiety and harassment at school. Riley eventually meets two supportive people at school, Bec and Solo, who ultimately become Riley’s best friends.
Riley’s psychiatrist, Doctor Ann, assigns a therapeutic assignment for Riley to start an anonymous blog about what gender fluidity is, and what it is like for someone to be gender fluid. With, this Garvin allows people to know they are not alone in their battles, and there is always somewhere, someplace to find people you can relate to and find support needed.
In Riley’s first blog to explain what it is like to be non-binary, Riley writes:
“Sometimes it’s not a switch, it’s a dial. It turns without your permission or approval… It’s like I have a compass in my chest… the needle moves between masculine and feminine.”
As Riley continues venting feelings into the blog, it is not long until it goes viral. In a short time, Riley discovers an anonymous reader has found out Riley’s identity and threatens to expose the truth.
Through this story we can see the journey Riley adventures in, along with the courage and bravery Riley demonstrates within this book. Garvin has shown a relatable character who endures all the normalcy of being a teenager, worries and fears of a teenager within the LGBTQ+ community.
He has given a character that members of the LGBTQ+ community can look up to with hope and inspiration. With immense description, we are immersed into the world of “Symptoms of Being Human.” The book is not only educational and eye-opening for readers, it brings the joy of friendship, love and family in the mix of the mystery and drama which accompanies it.