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celtic67's review
5.0
MY TOUGHTS. Well this was a book I would never pick up in a book in a book shop. The main reason being where it would probably be shelved. So when the chance to go on this tour curiosity got the better of me. One main reason was because I know the author Roz White who is a trans woman; and apart knowing her as a person I know nothing of transgender people. So I opened this book with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect and would I have some hidden prejudices. But I was presently surprised by what I read. The fight they face to identify with the gender they feel comfortable with and not what they were assigned at birth.They face the fear of coming out to family and friends and how these may react to the news. Also they face prejudice from work colleagues and religious leaders. For many transgender or non-binary people the path is easier than others; eg. the so called liberal west. In many places and counties the way of life and religion make the journey harder to navigate. Many feel euphoria when they make the change to the gender they feel comfortable with and when they are addressed by parents and friends by their new name and chosen sex.Thanks to Laura for editing this book and to all the contributors for their stories. I feel this book was humorous, tragic, life affirming in turns. But above all it is Educational. Another reason I wanted to read this book is because I have a nephew who is transitioning and I feel that this will be good resource for him.
anna_the_veggy's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
youmeandem's review against another edition
4.0
i read the first chapter of this book in the reading area of queer britain and, after being brought to tears by it, rushed to gay's the word to pick up a copy for myself.
i suppose it's a little bit on me for expecting (hoping) to read a number of trans masc experiences when i could've counted there were about 7 - 9 (not sure about some people's identity in that sense) of 29 in the index, which did take a bit away from my personal experience reading them, as someone looking for relatable experiences and such. i think if there had been a bit more of a balance, i would've felt the strong emotion i felt reading the first story, a bit more
still a good read that i would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in such an anthology (though with the sidenote attached).
3.5
i suppose it's a little bit on me for expecting (hoping) to read a number of trans masc experiences when i could've counted there were about 7 - 9 (not sure about some people's identity in that sense) of 29 in the index, which did take a bit away from my personal experience reading them, as someone looking for relatable experiences and such. i think if there had been a bit more of a balance, i would've felt the strong emotion i felt reading the first story, a bit more
still a good read that i would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in such an anthology (though with the sidenote attached).
3.5
eeeoooo's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
An excellent and wide-ranging exploration of the lives of people across the gender spectrum. Brimming with charm and humanity. I didn't connect with all the essays, but I think that's one of the strengths of this book. There are so many different perspectives that you're bound to come across one that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to you, even if you can still understand and appreciate it for what it is. If anything, I wish it were longer.