A review by trivial_reads
I Am My Own Wife: The True Story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf by Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, Dennis Holland

I believe memoirs shouldn't receive a star ratings because it's unfair to rate someone else's life.

Charlotte Mahlsdorf's memoir is a captivating journey through the eyes of a transgender person. It recounts her childhood longing for a girl's coat, rebellious nights on the streets of Nazi Berlin, and a chilling turning point when she killed her abusive father.

The memoir is also a love letter to Gründerzeit furniture and sheds light on the underground LGBTQ+ community in East Berlin. It traces its growth from covert gatherings to more overt celebrations, capturing the emergence of public queer identity in a society that was once hidden. This memoir is a snapshot of a shifting Berlin through the eyes of someone who dared to be different.