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horrorgami's review against another edition
4.0
I remember learning about David Reimer's case during my Psych 1 (Intro to Psych) and Psych 30 (Human Sexuality) classes in college where I'm studying psychology and remember feeling sad and upset for him and utterly enraged and dissapointed by Dr. Money and what seems to be his lack thereof of ethics that psychologist and researchers learn in the span of their college career under their major. So when I found this book I immediately had to purchase it and read it and I'm glad that I did - it gave a furthur insight into the lives of the Reimer's and answered questions that I had that lingered from when I had learned about what had happened to David during my psychology courses. Exceptionally researched and written - 4.5 out of 5 and a forever favorite.
chupacabra2000's review against another edition
2.0
This book pissed me off. Not just for the main story (actively hurting children to fit into narrow societal norms) but the weird focus and angles from the writer. That the main person really doesn't have a say until the last chapters, but also the ignorant language and dehumanization of trans- and intersexual human beings. Also smoothing over the extremely alarming and manipulative behaviour from John Money. Interesting story, but not enough layers to such a complex question as gender theory.
elisespieces's review against another edition
4.0
Such an interesting and infuriating read. To learn about Dr. John Money's unethical research methods and how long they continued without any evidence of success is terrifying and heartbreaking, especially in the case of David.
brehudson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
marie_gg's review against another edition
5.0
chilling story about a boy raised as a girl because of a botched circumcision
creativerunnings's review against another edition
dark
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This was a very captivating read. I'm surprised this book isn't more popular. The book describes the tragedy that befell David Reimer. A surgical accident during his circumcision as a baby resulted in a recommendation to raise him as a girl - mostly, it appears, to satisfy the drive of a disturbed physician scientist, Dr. Money, to experiment with the age old nurture vs nature debate. What ensued was gender dysphoria that lasted years and decades, causing much pain to the child individually and family dysfunction overall.
It makes me so happy that we've made progress as a society - mostly, that we've learned that gender identity is fluid and personal, and that we don't just blindly listen to icky doctors anymore.
An engrossing read that was well researched and impossible to put down. Thank you John Colapinto for this unbelievable work of nonfiction!
It makes me so happy that we've made progress as a society - mostly, that we've learned that gender identity is fluid and personal, and that we don't just blindly listen to icky doctors anymore.
An engrossing read that was well researched and impossible to put down. Thank you John Colapinto for this unbelievable work of nonfiction!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Body horror, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Deadnaming, Body shaming, Mental illness, Bullying, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Addiction
jackbauer12's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
marnielicious's review against another edition
Found this book on sale at the library for $1.50!
juniperusxx's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
What a tragic and sad story of a baby who accidentally loses his penis in a circumcision and on the advice of an 'expert' has to live as a girl until puberty. Much has happened in the field of treating gender identity cases after -60's when this boy was born , but making the decisions are still hard for their families.
This book arose much emotions and even more, when I read about this case from wikipedia and found out that both the twin brothers ended in suicide shortly after this book has been published in 2000.
This book arose much emotions and even more, when I read about this case from wikipedia and found out that both the twin brothers ended in suicide shortly after this book has been published in 2000.
blankcrayon's review against another edition
4.0
Currently enrolled as a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins, and going through the IRB process for my dissertation research, so the Hopkins connection was personally interesting. Also, my summer course is Multicultural Education, a quite relevant framework for reflecting as I read this book. Fascinating case study of an elective sex change in a child and the subsequent emotional, physical, and social issues that arose. While the author does not totally discount the influence of nurture on individuals, the book makes a clear case for nature as the foundation of gender identity.