Pageboy

A Memoir

By: Elliot Page

Narrated by: Elliot Page

This program is read by the author.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Long-listed, Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, 2023

Long-listed, New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2023

Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year 2023

"Searing, deeply moving, and incredibly poignant... This isn’t simply a book on what it means to be trans, it’s about what it means to be human."—Alok Vaid-Menon

"Actor Elliot Page, who starred in the movie JUNO, gives an emotional, intimate performance of his gorgeous memoir... He narrates these memories with an openness that will make listeners feel like they're right there with him. It's the quiet rawness of his voice that makes this audiobook so moving. This performance hardly feels like a performance at all. If you listen to one celebrity memoir this year, make it this one."—AudioFile

"...the longer you listen the less chronology matters to the overall portrait that emerges: of a lifelong fighter who still, thanks to stubborn prejudices and reactionary policy decisions, has much to fight for."—The New York Times

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK by Salon, The Week, Elle, Bustle, and more.

Full of intimate stories, from chasing down secret love affairs to battling body image and struggling with familial strife, Pageboy is a love letter to the power of being seen. With this evocative and lyrical debut, Oscar-nominated star Elliot Page captures the universal human experience of searching for ourselves and our place in this complicated world.

“Can I kiss you?” It was two months before the world premiere of Juno, and Elliot Page was in his first ever queer bar. The hot summer air hung heavy around him as he looked at her. And then it happened. In front of everyone. A previously unfathomable experience. Here he was on the precipice of discovering himself as a queer person, as a trans person. Getting closer to his desires, his dreams, himself, without the repression he’d carried for so long. But for Elliot, two steps forward had always come with one step back.

With Juno’s massive success, Elliot became one of the world’s most beloved actors. His dreams were coming true, but the pressure to perform suffocated him. He was forced to play the part of the glossy young starlet, a role that made his skin crawl, on and off set. The career that had been an escape out of his reality and into a world of imagination was suddenly a nightmare.

As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a past that snapped at his heels, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot often stayed silent, unsure of what to do. Until enough was enough.

The Oscar-nominated star who captivated the world with his performance in Juno finally shares his story in a groundbreaking and inspiring memoir about love, family, fame—and stepping into who we truly are with strength, joy and connection.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2023 Elliot Page (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Awesome job Elliot

I really didn’t expect this to be so relatable. As a fellow trans dude who came out around the same time, I’ve already read “sorted” “always a boy” and and a few others written by ordinary dudes (or their mom haha). However, after reading some hideous Instagram comments on your posts from the book tour, I decided to buy and listen in solidarity. I’m so glad I listened. It was very relatable. I mean yeah there was some name dropping but it always offered nuance and depth. I love how uninhibited it was when it came to hard topics like queer sex and codependency. Thank you so much for using your platform this way.

Hauntingly honest

Thank you, Elliot for paving the way for so many trans in hiding. I hope your vulnerability and honesty reaches as many people as possible and they choose to live authentically like you finally have. Bravo.

Loved hearing his experience in his words

Let me start by saying that I truly enjoyed the book. Hearing Elliot telling his own story was perfect, I didn't want to read the book on my own for that reason. Hearing his experiences as both a closeted queer person, then an out queer person on their journey of self-discovery was cathartic. At one time, referring to having a discussion with his father, Elliot said, "The thought of confronting him, of setting any boundary at all, made me feel like I was gonna shit blood." I felt that to my core.

The main thing I was disappointed in was the lack of story taking place after his coming out as trandgender. I know he came out publicly in 2020, and this book was written in 2022, so there isn't a ton of time in between. However, he had filmed The Umbrella Academy in that time, and I really wanted to hear how it went. I wanted to hear about the support from the professional side, how his costars and the writers and producers. Clearly he got it, since Viktor's storyline changed, and Netflix immediately changed Elliot's name in the credits of previously-released seasons. I was just really curious how all of that went.

As this was a memoir of becoming Elliot, and finding himself, most of it is depression and pain and struggle. There is joy at the end, you can hear it in his voice, but I just wish there was more trans joy. More of the love and support and happiness he receives.

Thank you. Vulnerable and beautiful.

A truly authentic memoir. Vulnerable. Touching. Must be read by anyone considering themselves an ally.

5 Stars I didn’t want it to end

I didn’t want the book to end but it ended so eloquently. I’m impressed with Elliot and can’t wait to see where his career takes him next. Thank you so much for sharing your life and experience with us.

Raw, intimate and truth of a journey lived.

Thank you for sharing your story Elliot. You have helped me understand and see some of the LGBTQ+ issues that are present in the universe. You are a blessing.

Bravo Elliott!

Beautiful and bittersweet. I am so happy that you are now living in your truth, fulfilled, happy and uniquely you. Thank you for sharing your journey to self acceptance and self love.

Wonderful

He should definitely do some more audiobook reading. Love his cadence and emotion. Glad that he is in a happier place in life and was able to share with everyone. Get it Elliot!

Beautifully floored

This wasn’t at all what I was expecting, and, for that, I loved it. This isn’t glitzy or glib; this is his heart and soul.
I listened in two sittings, as, even though I was absolutely wrapped up in listening, it was so raw in some spots I honestly needed a moment. They were unintentionally timed to nearly equal halves, and it ended literally just as I’d arrived at an event to hear him discuss the book. A few minor hiccups in the narrative did break my focus a bit, but no more so than any normal pauses in speech, however, the absolute vulnerability of it all kept me completely engaged.
I’d honestly wanted to wait to read the story, but hearing it told in the author’s own voice made it feel even more heartrendingly real, personal, and relatable.
Without exaggeration or becoming more overly emotional, I can honestly say this was a life changing read, and I’m grateful that he chose to share-and not just for his own benefit, but to give hope to so many others.

Heartbreaking and honest

At times this was hard to follow, as it jumped around a lot, but no matter where the story was - I was hooked. Elliot’s story is so heartbreaking and so similar to other trans and queer people. I hope to see similar stories in mainstream media so we can have more honest dialogue about trans experiences