Review: This Is How It Always Is By Laurie Frankel - A Heartwarming Tale Of Family And Acceptance

“This Is How It Always Is” by Laurie Frankel is an incredibly moving and thought-provoking book that will leave you with a lasting impression. The story focuses on the lives of a family as they cope with their youngest child’s decision to live as a girl, despite being born biologically male. Frankel does an incredible job of exploring the complex dynamics between family members, social expectations, and personal identity in a way that is both heartfelt and nuanced. Through her characters’ struggles, she shows us that love can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Themes of acceptance, hope, and resilience make this book a must-read for anyone looking for an emotionally powerful story.

Table of Contents

This Is How It Always Is Review

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is a heartwarming story about family, love, and acceptance. It follows the journey of Rosie and Penn Gervais as they deal with the reality of their youngest child, Claude, wanting to be a girl.

The Key Features of this book are:

Explores the complexity of gender identity in a modern family.

Heartfelt and humorous look at what it means to truly accept each other.

Award-winning author Laurie Frankel sheds light on an often misunderstood topic.

This Is How It Always Is is an insightful and entertaining novel that will make you laugh, cry, and think. With its honest portrayal of family dynamics and its exploration into gender identity, this book will touch your heart while making you ponder how to live life with an open mind. Laurie Frankel’s writing is both witty and thought-provoking, making it perfect for readers of all ages. So if you’re looking for a powerful story that celebrates the power of love over judgement, then This Is How It Always Is is just the book for you!

Product Details

Product	This Is How It Always Is
Author	Laurie Frankel
Publisher	Flatiron Books
Release Date	August 8, 2017
Genre	Fiction/Novel
ISBN-10	1250088550
Product Dimensions	7.9 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches; 9.6 ounces.

This Is How It Always Is Pros and Cons

This Is How It Always Is, the New York Times bestselling novel by Laurie Frankel, is a poignant and powerful story about family, identity, and unconditional love. Here are some Pros and Cons to help you decide if it’s worth reading:

Pros:
1. The storyline is engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes such as gender identity, parental expectations, and unconditional love.
2. The characters are well-written and relatable.
3. The writing is beautiful and lyrical.
4. It will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.
5. It’s a timely book that explores important issues in an honest and sensitive way.

Cons:
1. Some readers may be put-off by the length of the novel (400 pages).
2. There are some dark moments that may not be suitable for younger readers.
3. A few plot points may feel contrived or forced at times.
4. Some of the dialogue is overly expository or melodramatic.
5. The ending can be seen as a bit too neat or tidy for some readers’ tastes.

Overall, This Is How It Always Is is an emotional, powerful story with engaging characters and a thought-provoking message about family and identity that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. While there are some minor flaws, it’s definitely worth picking up a copy if you’re looking for an insightful read with plenty of heart!

Who are They for

This Is How It Always Is is a powerful and captivating novel by Laurie Frankel. Written with a beautiful and honest voice, it follows the story of Rosie and Penn and their five sons, Claude, Poppy, Roo, Wyatt, and Ajax. As they make plans to bring up the youngest son as a girl, they must confront how society perceives gender identity and what it means for their family.

The story highlights the importance of unconditional love, acceptance, and understanding in our modern world. Frankel’s writing is incredibly moving, blending humor and poignancy as she explores this complex subject matter. With characters that readers will instantly connect with and fall in love with, the journey of Rosie, Penn, and their children is one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the novel.

Through her thought-provoking story, Laurie Frankel takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. From exploring gender stereotypes to celebrating individuality, This Is How It Always Is is an important book for anyone dealing with issues of identity or striving for understanding. A timeless classic in its own right, this novel should be required reading for everyone.

My Experience for This Is How It Always Is

I recently read a book called This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. It’s a story about a family with five sons, and the youngest son who has a secret wish to be a girl.

When I started reading it, I was sure it was going to be a heart-breaking journey. But it was so much more than that. It was a story of acceptance, understanding, and love.

The characters were so real and alive that I couldn’t help but feel like I was their friend, cheering them on every step of the way. The writing was beautiful, and the story moved me in ways I never expected.

The main character, Claude, is brave and determined to live his life as he sees fit, no matter what anyone else says. He’s an inspiration to us all!

At the end of the book, I felt like I had been taken on an emotional roller coaster ride – happy one minute and sad the next. This is How It Always Is is an unforgettable tale about family dynamics and self-discovery that you won’t soon forget.

What I don’t Like

#1 The novel is very long, which can make it difficult to read in one sitting.
#2 It is a complex story with multiple characters and timelines.
#3 There are themes of gender identity, family dynamics, and LGBTQ issues that may be too mature for some readers.
#4 The book features a lot of twists and turns that can be hard to follow.
#5 Some readers may find the ending unsatisfying as it does not provide any clear resolution.

How to Use This Is How It Always Is to Create a Positive Family Dynamic

The award-winning novel This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is an inspiring story of family, love, and the power of acceptance. In it, the main character Rosie and her partner Penn grapple with how to share their family’s complex secrets with their children. Through their struggles, readers can learn valuable lessons about creating a positive family dynamic that embraces individuality and fosters acceptance.

In order to create a healthy family life, it’s important to ensure that everyone in the household feels safe and accepted. The message of This Is How It Always Is emphasizes the value of communication and understanding between family members. When conflicts arise, it’s important for adults to be patient and listen to the perspectives of their children. This helps create an environment where everyone feels respected and heard.

It’s also essential to create an atmosphere of open-mindedness in order to foster respect for individual differences. The characters in This Is How It Always Is demonstrate the power of embracing one’s unique qualities and standing up for what you believe in despite criticism from others. This can help families build strong relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.

Finally, it’s important for families to celebrate each other’s successes, no matter how small or large they might be. By highlighting even the smallest accomplishments, parents can show their children that hard work pays off and encourage them to keep striving for more. Reading This Is How It Always Is together as a family can inspire conversations about these topics, leading to a stronger bond between all members of the household.

Questions about This Is How It Always Is

What is This Is How It Always Is?

This Is How It Always Is is a novel by Laurie Frankel about a family who discovers that their youngest son identifies as transgender. The story follows the family’s journey of understanding and acceptance as they grapple with questions of identity, love, and courage.

What are some themes in This Is How It Always Is?

Themes explored in This Is How It Always Is include family dynamics, gender identity, acceptance, courage, and unconditional love.

Who is the author of This Is How It Always Is?

This Is How It Always Is was written by Laurie Frankel, an American author and professor of creative writing.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.