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mrsbear's review against another edition
5.0
I have a crush on Chris Edwards!
With a title like this, how could I possibly have passed on reading this. No way.
I was not sure if I would like it but I am open minded and curious so I started reading. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Chris Edwards is an excellent story teller. Reading this memoir is like sitting on a comfy sofa with a drink and a snack talking to him. He does not hold back nor does he spin things to show how easy everything went. I really liked how numerous times he admitted that he was lucky to come from well off parents who were willing to help pay for all of his surgeries. He says he is a lucky one who was able to go for the deluxe model that most people can’t afford. There was no arrogance involved with these statements. In fact, I found Mr. Edwards to be very humble.
I can not begin to imagine what it feels like to be in the wrong body. After finishing Balls I am proud to say that I understand a lot more than I did going in. I love this quote: “The fact is gender identity is not defined by what’s inside your pants; it’s defined by what’s inside your brain.”
I laughed out loud in so many places and I will admit to cringing while reading about how a new penis is built. Transgender people are brave souls to be sure. I loved how Mr. Edwards faced everything with humility, grace and most importantly humor.
I have to say a big thank you to Chris Edwards for writing this book, bringing these issues out into the open where conversations can be started. Thank you for the laughs, the cringes and the education that I received from reading this book!
Netgalley provided me a free galley of this book.
With a title like this, how could I possibly have passed on reading this. No way.
I was not sure if I would like it but I am open minded and curious so I started reading. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Chris Edwards is an excellent story teller. Reading this memoir is like sitting on a comfy sofa with a drink and a snack talking to him. He does not hold back nor does he spin things to show how easy everything went. I really liked how numerous times he admitted that he was lucky to come from well off parents who were willing to help pay for all of his surgeries. He says he is a lucky one who was able to go for the deluxe model that most people can’t afford. There was no arrogance involved with these statements. In fact, I found Mr. Edwards to be very humble.
I can not begin to imagine what it feels like to be in the wrong body. After finishing Balls I am proud to say that I understand a lot more than I did going in. I love this quote: “The fact is gender identity is not defined by what’s inside your pants; it’s defined by what’s inside your brain.”
I laughed out loud in so many places and I will admit to cringing while reading about how a new penis is built. Transgender people are brave souls to be sure. I loved how Mr. Edwards faced everything with humility, grace and most importantly humor.
I have to say a big thank you to Chris Edwards for writing this book, bringing these issues out into the open where conversations can be started. Thank you for the laughs, the cringes and the education that I received from reading this book!
Netgalley provided me a free galley of this book.
gabz49242's review against another edition
4.0
This book describes--often in graphic detail--Chris Edwards' transition into manhood and the emotional and physical journey he endured to get there.
I'll start with the obvious criticism of this book: Chris' dad is a CEO, so his story is one where money didn't have to be an object. While he often acknowledges this along the way, this is not the story of an everyman's experience with transitioning.
I wrestled with this problem, because I read a book like this and think "Oh, it would be great to have this so parents of trans children could have something to help them understand." However, this experience of being able to take endless days off work and being able to afford six-figure surgeries is not a reality for most Americans today. Additionally, while his family struggled to accept him at first, they did remain generally loving and supportive throughout this experience, which is not the scenario I've seen for trans children that I have known.
However, I would like to put forth that the experience Chris had should serve as an aspirational one. Hopefully, trans children in the future will not have to choose between losing their friends and their family and continuing to live in a way that stifles who they are, with often devastating results.
Chris treats his narrative with constant humor, pulling you in as though you're talking to him at his favorite pizza place, and breaking up a narrative filled with some grotesque bodily functions with jokes at his own expense and anecdotes that show how he was able to live his life as a normal man. It's an enjoyable read, and an educational one, since he describes many of his surgeries in detail, including the necessary electrolysis and other side treatments he underwent to get bottom surgery in the first place.
If you want to know more about a trans man's life, and you'd like a good laugh, pick this one up. More importantly, in a world where queer narratives are often weighted down with a trauma-centered mentality, Chris' story focuses on friendship, family, and hope through all the difficulties he encountered on his journey.
I'll start with the obvious criticism of this book: Chris' dad is a CEO, so his story is one where money didn't have to be an object. While he often acknowledges this along the way, this is not the story of an everyman's experience with transitioning.
I wrestled with this problem, because I read a book like this and think "Oh, it would be great to have this so parents of trans children could have something to help them understand." However, this experience of being able to take endless days off work and being able to afford six-figure surgeries is not a reality for most Americans today. Additionally, while his family struggled to accept him at first, they did remain generally loving and supportive throughout this experience, which is not the scenario I've seen for trans children that I have known.
However, I would like to put forth that the experience Chris had should serve as an aspirational one. Hopefully, trans children in the future will not have to choose between losing their friends and their family and continuing to live in a way that stifles who they are, with often devastating results.
Chris treats his narrative with constant humor, pulling you in as though you're talking to him at his favorite pizza place, and breaking up a narrative filled with some grotesque bodily functions with jokes at his own expense and anecdotes that show how he was able to live his life as a normal man. It's an enjoyable read, and an educational one, since he describes many of his surgeries in detail, including the necessary electrolysis and other side treatments he underwent to get bottom surgery in the first place.
If you want to know more about a trans man's life, and you'd like a good laugh, pick this one up. More importantly, in a world where queer narratives are often weighted down with a trauma-centered mentality, Chris' story focuses on friendship, family, and hope through all the difficulties he encountered on his journey.
rainbow_grace's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A 2016 staff favorite recommended by Susie.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sballs%20edwards__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sballs%20edwards__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
jaxlynleigh's review
4.0
First off, major props to Chris for sharing his story. His writing is full of feeling, heart, and humor, and is informative for those who may not know much about the transitioning process. This book certainly is relevant to the struggles many are going through, although their situations may not be as ideal as Chris’s in terms of familial and financial support. Recommended reading for ALL!
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
sarahmareacarr's review
2.0
Seems like a likeable guy but I found his sense of humour extremely trying.
thetokentrans's review
4.0
To say I loved this book would be selling it short. First, trans stories of all kinds need more visibility. Second, trans stories with happy endings need ANY visibility they can get. Too often, we are murdered or commit suicide. To see someone make it through to middle age and live happy and healthy is just.... Amazing. I teared up a lot reading this because a lot of it hit close to home for me. I would recommend this book to trans people and cis people alile, tbh.
academianut's review
5.0
Fascinating, funny, and frank
This book was such a gripping (no pun intended) read, and such an awesome resource for anyone who wants to know more about what some trans experiences are like, and how much courage (and à great sense of humor) it takes to deal with the whole process of coming out as who you are, explaining all the parts people find hard to understand, and dealing with, if they need to, surgery and difficulties there. Going through all Chris did truly did take balls, and he is unflinching in his description of all his experiences - but he is also incredibly funny, and that keeps the book lighthearted and a great read, at the same time as it is so important. Definitely would recommend!
This book was such a gripping (no pun intended) read, and such an awesome resource for anyone who wants to know more about what some trans experiences are like, and how much courage (and à great sense of humor) it takes to deal with the whole process of coming out as who you are, explaining all the parts people find hard to understand, and dealing with, if they need to, surgery and difficulties there. Going through all Chris did truly did take balls, and he is unflinching in his description of all his experiences - but he is also incredibly funny, and that keeps the book lighthearted and a great read, at the same time as it is so important. Definitely would recommend!