Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

A Life in Too Many Margins by S.E. Thomson is a bittersweet LGBTQ+ story of a young person torn between their birth gender and their absolute certainty that they were male, not female. David is also plagued by several pain-filled disorders and conditions, such as autism, unreliable joints, and bones that break or dislocate easily, as well as depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity. Combined with an abusive parent, sexual abuse, doctors who either couldn't correctly diagnose his condition or simply dismissed him as a chronic hypochondriac, and an education system not designed to deal with children with severe disabilities, this led David to have a hellish childhood. David shares his hopes and dreams as well as ways of coping with traumatic disability in the hope that at least one person will gain belief in themselves, direction, and courage from his journey.

A Life in Too Many Margins is an incredibly tough read, but in the very best way. S.E. Thomson pulls no punches in describing David's challenges and obstacles. Readers will empathize with and marvel at his courage, resilience, and complete unwillingness to simply settle for the mistreatment handed out to him. He truly embodies the title, and yet he not only accepts his own physical limitations and the many conditions imposed on his day-to-day existence, but he also actively embraces them and revels in living life in the margins. What I particularly appreciated was that every chapter embraces a different theme and is perfectly summed up by a moral or message. The writing is clear, concise, and hard-hitting. Although it is an easy read, the events in David's life will frequently have readers contemplating and even struggling to come to terms with how strong, determined, and incredibly brave David is at times. I loved that we saw David's extreme lows as well as his small successes and triumphs. This gave the character a roundness and fullness that he deserved. This is one of those stories that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page. The determination and courage David displays give us all hope for our own lives and remind us to be eternally grateful for the wonderful functioning bodies that many of us possess. I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend it highly enough. You will feel better about your life and yourself after reading this story - the highest praise I can give any author.