610 reviews for:

Something That May Shock and Discredit You

Daniel M. Lavery

3.98 AVERAGE

fosully's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

nicofox's review against another edition

4.0

funny inspiring medium-paced

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I wasn't raised religious, and never went to church. So I didn't know most of the Christian stories. But there were a lot of funny parts, as well as relatable parts as a trans person

ril's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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A fever dream of essays. I laughed. I cried. I made bookmarks. And I was often pleasantly confused.

overlap's review against another edition

4.5

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feel like i could study this for a year...really loved it but sometimes felt like it was missing something

baileydouglass's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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Hard to describe but very engaging memoir/set of stories/vignettes/flights of fancy with a loose narrative structure around the theme of Daniel’s transition and trans identity. I found the biblical anecdotes and references a little hard to connect with given my own lack of context on this material. There were some references that I loved and laughed out loud at and most were interesting. Overall I recommend the book, which is certainly the best I’ve read that is primarily on the topic of trans identity.

nesbeth22's review against another edition

5.0

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This highly connected essay compilation explores thematically Orthbergh/Lavery's transition from woman to man by weaving moments from Orthberg's life (parallel parking) with moments from the bible, classic literature, and pop culture (Jacob's wrestling match with an angel in the cave, Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight, William Shatner, The Addams Family). I enjoy the playful way that Orthberg retells each piece with a highly contemporary, internet-casual voice, in contrast with the structured and formal voice of the original, loving and finding both humorous at once. Underlying the doting parody is Orthberg's demonstration of a playful form of readership of even the stodgiest of western texts in order to glean personal meaning. Of course, Orthberg's voice carries the flavor of many pieces written for The Toast website between 2013 and 2017.

sarahern29's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

driedmintleaves's review

3.75

emotional funny medium-paced

paracosim's review against another edition

4.75

funny medium-paced

campgender's review against another edition

3.5

funny reflective medium-paced