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seventhswan's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.25
This was an interesting, important read, going slightly beyond Trans 101 but still serving as an excellent introduction to the key aspects of trans politics and rights. Nothing was particularly a surprise to me but I still enjoyed - and agreed with - Shon Faye's setting out of the relevant issues. Overall I'd have no reservations about recommending this book. However, I listened to the audiobook version and this really cemented that audiobooks aren't for me, as even on 1.5x speed the text took so much longer to get through than it would have done reading printed text. That isn't specific to this book, though, and the recording was clear and pleasant to listen to!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual violence
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A stark and striking look at the facts and figures regarding the moral panic around trans people (mostly focusing on the UK, but with brief look at the USA).
Shon Faye writes incredibly well, succinct and clear, with inarguable analysis and case for improving the lives of trans people. I would advise reading this book as a whole to understand the links between each social issue thoroughly. Yet, I would also suggest picking up the specific chapters that you may feel you lack a full awareness of (e.g., homelessness or incarceration or domestic violence). Each picks apart and expertly counters misinformation and shares the reality of living as a trans person in the UK.
While I whole-heartedly recommend this book, it is also very very hard-hitting. It took me a long time to read due to needing to take a lot of breaks. Please be aware of any trigger warnings when you pick up this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Classism, Body shaming, Police brutality, Misogyny, Dysphoria, Outing, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Death, Violence, Rape, Racism, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Sexism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction, Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
punky__pie's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
It cannot be understated how well-researched and structured this book is. It defied all of my expectations. It manages to position transphobia as the central issue without approaching transphobia as a one-dimensional issue in society
If you have ever wanted to understand the challenges trans and non-binary folks in the UK face, this book is a fantastic read. Faye covers everything from class issues to medical discrimination and provides a lengthy bibliography at the end of the book, allowing the reader to verify claims. I don't think I can explain how amazing this book is.
If you have ever wanted to understand the challenges trans and non-binary folks in the UK face, this book is a fantastic read. Faye covers everything from class issues to medical discrimination and provides a lengthy bibliography at the end of the book, allowing the reader to verify claims. I don't think I can explain how amazing this book is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Misogyny, Classism, Ableism, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Self harm, and Outing
Minor: Abortion and Violence
Unsurprisingly this book covers transphobia in great detail. Regardless of your position in society, if you are trans, you will likely find references to transphobia you've faced in your life in this book. BUT you can certainly skip sensitive chapters and still understand the book.katharina90's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This book highlights the importance of intersectionality in the context of trans liberation. It really shines in the last two chapters where the author dissects the normalization of transphobia in British left-leaning/'progressive' spaces, as can be seen in the prevalence of anti-trans feminism in the UK and anti-trans sentiments within the LGBTQ+ community.
"There can be no trans liberation under capitalism."
"The whiteness and unexamined colonialism of mainstream UK feminism correlate directly with its tendencies towards transphobia."
"[T]heory should only ever play second fiddle to the practical work of movement-building, resource-allocation, care and solidarity."
"There can be no trans liberation under capitalism."
"The whiteness and unexamined colonialism of mainstream UK feminism correlate directly with its tendencies towards transphobia."
"[T]heory should only ever play second fiddle to the practical work of movement-building, resource-allocation, care and solidarity."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Transphobia, Classism, Deadnaming, Rape, and Suicide
ramreadsagain's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
" It is therefore regrettable that some feminists happily align themselves with Conservative politicians, who have repeatedly supported austerity policies that disproportionately harm working-class and disabled women, all because trans women fall outside of their personal definition of womanhood, and that this is the hill on which they have chosen to die. "
This is a book that I will definitely keep coming back to as a source of knowledge, hope, and references for further reading. It expertly covers important aspects of the trans experience, from childhood and medical barriers, to sex work, classism, and solidarity (and lack thereof).
The final two chapters in particular are incredibly well-writen and if you don't want to tackle the entire book I'd at least suggest you read those two. They are an excellent takedown on transphobia within the LGBT+ community and within feminism (namely, why TERFs are dragging all women down), proving again and again that no socialist movement can gain traction by leaving trans people behind.
My only main criticism of the book is due to a slight miss-selling of the content done by Shon herself. I acquried my copy of the book at a talk she gave, in which she described the book as explaining how trans liberation would be to the benefit of everyone in society. While this was certainly present in the final two chapters I would have liked more discussion of this within earlier chapters particularly when it comes to class struggles and healthcare.
I would also like more paragraph breaks lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Abortion and Addiction
booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This book is absolutely incredible. There is not much that I can say in a review here that will genuinely do this justice. I think it is all incredibly well researched and written, and is genuinely one of the best nonfiction books I have ever read.
One thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars, was how jam-packed it is with information. At the same time, this is also what I like about it. Let me explain. I tried to read the print copy of this in 2022 but it reads almost like a text book (please don't let this put you off though its amazing!) I found it super heavy, but since I liked what I read, I decided to just give it a break and come back to it. Later down the line, I picked up the audiobook and consumed it within a matter of days. Shon Faye narrates the audio and makes it such a rich experience. However, there was so much information that I occasionally felt overwhelmed. Although, I completely didn't mind since it was genuinely just so good. I think I am going to attempt the print edition next time I read it, so that I can go over anything that I missed. There is no doubt that this book is heavy, so I recommend you take your time.
This book is essential. I recommend this to anyone and everyone. It is written convincingly and contains such a diversity of sources to enrich the content and reading experience. Please just read it and take your time to digest it.
One thing that stopped me from giving it 5 stars, was how jam-packed it is with information. At the same time, this is also what I like about it. Let me explain. I tried to read the print copy of this in 2022 but it reads almost like a text book (please don't let this put you off though its amazing!) I found it super heavy, but since I liked what I read, I decided to just give it a break and come back to it. Later down the line, I picked up the audiobook and consumed it within a matter of days. Shon Faye narrates the audio and makes it such a rich experience. However, there was so much information that I occasionally felt overwhelmed. Although, I completely didn't mind since it was genuinely just so good. I think I am going to attempt the print edition next time I read it, so that I can go over anything that I missed. There is no doubt that this book is heavy, so I recommend you take your time.
This book is essential. I recommend this to anyone and everyone. It is written convincingly and contains such a diversity of sources to enrich the content and reading experience. Please just read it and take your time to digest it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Misogyny, and Homophobia
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Medical content, Deadnaming, Murder, Violence, Outing, Suicide, and Death of parent
hirundo's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Misogyny
emmalouisereads's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This is a must read for trans allies in the UK. The book is well researched and cites sources, it will be a helpful resource to have if you’re ever have to debunk a TERF’s arguments.
I don’t know if it’s a book that’ll convince the average transphobe to change their mind. People who don’t know much about the difficulties trans people face (especially in the UK) will find this book enlightening.
I’m glad this book exists
I don’t know if it’s a book that’ll convince the average transphobe to change their mind. People who don’t know much about the difficulties trans people face (especially in the UK) will find this book enlightening.
I’m glad this book exists
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Rape, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Self harm, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Racism, Misogyny, and Hate crime
Content warnings are in the context of a non-fiction bookishouldreadthat's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
A must-read book for anyone living in Britain or is curious to learn more about Britain's huge transphobia problem. Faye does a fantastic job with writing, as well as narrating, this book. It's one I can see myself rereading multiple times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Hate crime, Suicide, and Sexual violence
keegan_leech's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I think pretty much everyone should read this book. Its one limiting factor is a focus on the UK, but it is an informative and extremely well-written exploration of the modern political landscape and its approach to trans rights. It's also a concisely-written argument for trans liberation being a necessary component of all modern social justice movements.
Read this book. It is an antidote to simplistic, anti-intellectual discussions of the "debate" about trans rights, and a history and overview of the modern trans rights movement. It is extremely worthwhile.
Shon Faye is clearly a very good writer, and manages to interrogate her subjects with an efficiency and clarity that makes them seem immediately straightforward. I can't say how accessible the book would be to someone with no exposure to concepts like queer and feminist theory, but like I say, it is extremely approachable, and I feel that it would appeal to people with just about any degree of experience with the subject. Similarly, while Faye is clearly writing from and for the left wing, I think her arguments are clear enough that this would be a good book to someone interested in trans politics, but who doesn't consider themselves a leftist.
Read this book. It is an antidote to simplistic, anti-intellectual discussions of the "debate" about trans rights, and a history and overview of the modern trans rights movement. It is extremely worthwhile.
Shon Faye is clearly a very good writer, and manages to interrogate her subjects with an efficiency and clarity that makes them seem immediately straightforward. I can't say how accessible the book would be to someone with no exposure to concepts like queer and feminist theory, but like I say, it is extremely approachable, and I feel that it would appeal to people with just about any degree of experience with the subject. Similarly, while Faye is clearly writing from and for the left wing, I think her arguments are clear enough that this would be a good book to someone interested in trans politics, but who doesn't consider themselves a leftist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Hate crime, Suicide, Sexual assault, Rape, and Police brutality