It feels ridiculous to call this an insightful read because it almost feels patronizing to go wow omg saur insightful and interesting, thank you fiction for explaining things to me but also it was insightful and piercing and very reflective. I actually really do like the way it ends with James having to figure out his own way and gender story, and I like that Maria had a moment of trying to control James's narrative as a way to avoid her own problems. Also, I like Maria period, but I think I just have a think for super pathetic, super-sorry women who don't do things right, it's kind of iconic. 

I don't know about the prose, tbh— it's not my favorite style of writing, and it almost has the contemporary issue of staring into the camera too hard. um... yeah! 4 stars, I had a good time.