Praise & Reviews for The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors was a comic anthology, with art and writing by Elizabeth Beier. It was published by Northwest Press was named one of the best LGBT graphic novels of 2017 by The Advocate. It has a rating above four stars and many positive reviews on Goodreads.
Pen America | The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
Elizabeth Beier’s The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors (Northwest Press, 2017) is a wonderfully readable, highly relatable graphic novel detailing Beier’s coming-of-age as a bisexual person. In this excerpt, our heroine makes the acquaintance of a sexy stranger, who looks to be a promising paramour. Beier’s art beautifully captures the giddy, hormonal excitement of mutual attraction in full bloom.
The Comics Journal | The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
by Robert Kirby, January 31, 2018
"In the earlier stories, her rougher, more spontaneous line captures her character’s flailing attempts at fitting in and winning the attentions of her crushes. As the narrative progresses, the captured-in-the-moment panels become more intentional, liberally fleshed-out with decorative embellishments to enchanting effect. It is always rewarding to follow a cartoonist’s artistic trajectory as captured in a collection like this; though rendered with more care in later chapters like “Shiver Me Timbers” and “Smoother”, Beier’s visuals remain personal and evocative—not just pretty pictures."
Pixel Pop Network | Pop Comic Review -- "The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors"
Beier is an excellent storyteller, and I’m impressed at how she managed to combine such a storytelling flow with moments of humour and real, intimate, self-reflection, while the bold inks of the visuals bring everyone she meets to life, including her own self-confidence in the final pages. While I personally could only identify with one or two elements of the whole, I felt totally swept along by the journey – as though I understood what she was telling me without having to try or labour the point; the mark of a good autobiographical tale.
Publishers Weekly | "The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
"Funny, lively... roughly honest. This raw chronicle is a dispatch from the front lines of modern app-assisted dating."
Lambda Literary | "The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors" by Elizabeth Beier
by Cathy Camper, January 7, 2018
"Her black-and-white ink drawings uncover people’s idiosyncrasies, via her sensitive brush strokes... So when she meets up with someone from an online dating site, we not only get a sketch, but also a description, a character, a story."
Bleeding Cool | I Like Bi Books and I Cannot Lie: Elizabeth Beier's Trials and Errors
by Greg Baldino, December 16, 2017
"This is a definite recommendation if you’re a fan of Lucy Knisley or Ellen Forney, and Beier is a cartoonist to keep an eye on. The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors is a great addition to the canon of queer comics, as well as to the body of bisexual representation."
Okazu | LGBTQ Comic Essay: The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
by Erica Friedman, December 11, 2017
"Elizabeth Beier’s The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors strikes that rare balance between self-reflection and redemption that we so desperately need in 2017. Equally importantly, this tale of bisexual life is honest, and eschews the kind of apology or explanation that make other books about bisexuality tiresome."
Gay Entertainment Directory | The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
"Where the story really shines is seeing her come to terms with who she really is in all aspects beyond sexuality—confidence, self-esteem, body image, and talent."
Bisexual Books | Review: The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors by Elizabeth Beier
"With simple and stark black and white drawings, this graphic novel anthology truly deserves to be on the bookshelf of every bisexual woman who loves queer indies."
Graphic Policy | Review: The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
by pharoahmiles, November 18, 2017
"Overall, a compendium full of heartbreaks, self-discoveries and truly a lesson in learning how to be building one’s self confidence. The stories by Beier are funny, sad, beautiful, and intriguing. The art by Beier could be museum paintings, as each panel seems to be given much care."
What a Nerd Blog | Review: The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
"The voice of this story is witty, and sure, but is still obviously trying to show that she has found herself in this adventure called life. One thing unique about this is the fact that she includes a list of resources at the end of the book ... You can tell she wanted to make sure that anyone and everyone could get the help they needed after reading her book. It is the first time I have ever seen something like that and it was heartwarming."
Comicosity | Queer Visibility Interview: Elizabeth Beier launches "The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors"
By Nadia Shammas, October 31, 2017
"I got a chance to interview Beier on her raw, emotional, and honest book, one that in full honesty spoke to me on a deep and personal level. Anyone exploring new personal or sexual territory will see themselves in Beier’s honest prose and stark artwork."
Comics Verse | "The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors Review: Fresh and Frank"
by Kelsey McConnell, October 28, 2017
“The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors by Elizabeth Beier details an authentic and honest queer experience. It’s not afraid to be frank and intimate with its readers. The artwork clearly comes from a very personal place and lets readers feel right at home in the story.”
Book Riot | Kickstart THIS: The Big Book of Bisexual Trials and Errors
By Megan Cavitt, July 19th 2017
"After her long-term heterosexual relationship ended, Beier began dating women for the first time and chronicling the highs and lows in lush ink comics."
Smash Pages Q&A | Elizabeth Beier on "Bisexual Trials and Errors"
"Beier mentioned that she loves to draw faces, but she’s also interested in voice, and that interest in authenticity, in specificity, in capturing individuals and their stories is at the heart of her work. This is a coming of age story about a twenty-something woman, but it’s also about a woman situating herself in and coming to understand her community."
