Book Review: Something To Be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke

‘Something To Be Proud Of’ by Anna Zoe Quirke (she/they) was released in 2024. It was Quirke’s debut novel, and follows queer, autistic teenager, Imogen after a disastrous first venture to Pride, where she found herself experiencing a sensory overload, being ditched by the friends who infantalise her, and being comforted by a drag queen called Auntie Septic before leaving the event, longing for a pride event where she could experience accessible events.

In response to her realisation at Pride, Imogen breaks off her friendship with her friends, and declares she will start an activist group at the school to raise money for an accessible Pride. In order to achieve this, she ropes in the school’s golden boy, and captain of the football team, Oliver Armstrong, one of the few openly out queer students at school.

Together with Oliver, and student council president, Amelia, Imogen is able to form her activist group, but hurdles crop up throughout the school year, from the administration refusing to implement the appropriate change they campaigned for, like a gender neutral bathroom so trans and non-binary students don’t use the accessible toilets, and the Headmistress’ vendetta against Imogen for her loud, impassioned personality.

This book was a beautiful story of friendship and community, which gave multiple characters the chance to shine, from Oliver and his growing confidence in makeup and drag, and how that contrasts harshly with his unstable relationship with his father upon discovering an affair, to Amelia, who is battling the need to be perfect, the superimposed heteronormity of society and not wanting to break her boyfriend’s heart.

I absolutely loved how Quirke was able to integrate the discussion about gender neutrality and trans-ness into the narrative without it coming across as even remotely jarring, it was as simple as the school needing a gender-neutral bathroom and that said bathroom ought to be separate from the only accessible disabled toilet in the building, and the discourse about the use of a disabled toilet.

I absolutely adored ‘Something To Be Proud Of’, there were so many threads within this tapestry of a story, with clear, well-established characters, and strong messages of advocacy echoing through. Quirke’s debut makes a clear stance about how society needs to do better when accommodating for disabled people and listening to the voices of people affected by legislation, rules and inaccessible infastructure.

This novel was poignat, compelling and evocative. As a neurodivergent person myself, this book felt like a slap in the face and the warmest, most comforting hug, because parts of the prose were like an echo-chamber of lived experiences, and Quirke did a fantastic job telling this story. I absolutely loved it.

I would definitely recommend ‘Something To Be Proud Of’ by Anna Zoe Quirke for readers that are seeking a found-family story or a wholesome YA story. It was a fast favourite, and I haven’t stopped talking about it since.