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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
It's always odd to review a memoir but this one is an excellent mix of Juliet Jacques' personal life story and theory.
"What if we’re not trapped in the wrong body but trapped in the wrong society?"
Part autobiography, part Trans theory, I feel that the combination worked well. The beginning of the book was hard for me to get into as after the first chapter I felt very disoriented. It took me awhile to realize Juliet lives in Great Britain and to translate the slang and cultural references. Also it was hard to pinpoint characters as they seemed to crop up and disappear disjointedly.
The book really picks up and hits the strongest point from the halfway point on - discussion of trans representation in media and social media was fascinating and so important. The spotlight on radical feminism's treatment of trans people was enlightening and is a great argument for increased intersectional feminism.
*read on the app Pigeonhole*
Part autobiography, part Trans theory, I feel that the combination worked well. The beginning of the book was hard for me to get into as after the first chapter I felt very disoriented. It took me awhile to realize Juliet lives in Great Britain and to translate the slang and cultural references. Also it was hard to pinpoint characters as they seemed to crop up and disappear disjointedly.
The book really picks up and hits the strongest point from the halfway point on - discussion of trans representation in media and social media was fascinating and so important. The spotlight on radical feminism's treatment of trans people was enlightening and is a great argument for increased intersectional feminism.
*read on the app Pigeonhole*
“In July 2012, aged 30, Juliet Jacques underwent sex reassignment surgery and felt for the first time that her body matched the person she felt she had been since childhood”
This book is just incredible, probably one of the best audiobooks I have listened to, I would also say one of the best books I have read.
Juliet shares so much of her life experiences, while this book is about her journey as transgender it also covers issues such as the medias approach toward trans people, the ongoing obsession with “before and after” photographs and the difficult relationship with radical feminism. Through her career in media Juliet has been able to challenge transphobia, standing up for those who cannot stand up, but this has been to the detriment of her own mental health.
Throughout the book there are some incredibly tender moments, the moment Juliet goes shopping with her Mother after surgery had me in tears, this does not happen to me often. She has a huge support network and these people have helped me to have more faith in the human race.
If you are interested in learning more about trans lives then this book is most definitely the book for you. It’s accessible, interesting, brave, eye opening, compelling and shocking.
I will be reading Variations, Juliet’s collection of short stories this month, I am so pleased that I listened to her memoir prior to reading these stories.
TW’s – Transphobia, Homophobia, Stalking, Sexual Assault, Depression, Suicide
This book is just incredible, probably one of the best audiobooks I have listened to, I would also say one of the best books I have read.
Juliet shares so much of her life experiences, while this book is about her journey as transgender it also covers issues such as the medias approach toward trans people, the ongoing obsession with “before and after” photographs and the difficult relationship with radical feminism. Through her career in media Juliet has been able to challenge transphobia, standing up for those who cannot stand up, but this has been to the detriment of her own mental health.
Throughout the book there are some incredibly tender moments, the moment Juliet goes shopping with her Mother after surgery had me in tears, this does not happen to me often. She has a huge support network and these people have helped me to have more faith in the human race.
If you are interested in learning more about trans lives then this book is most definitely the book for you. It’s accessible, interesting, brave, eye opening, compelling and shocking.
I will be reading Variations, Juliet’s collection of short stories this month, I am so pleased that I listened to her memoir prior to reading these stories.
TW’s – Transphobia, Homophobia, Stalking, Sexual Assault, Depression, Suicide
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
i enjoyed this memoir, especially parts talking about Manchester as this is a city I know. I felt it was a good introduction into a persons gender/trans experience and definitely I want to read others/more on trans issues. I wish there was more politics involved (from what I can remember there was not as much other than discussions of waiting lists and transphobic encounters), and maybe more about familial/relationships (but again I'm writing this review having read this book over a year ago, so it might just be my bad memory)
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book is honest, intimate, and important. As a non-binary trans individual, I related to Juliet’s experience in many ways, while still learning a great deal from someone who is attune to the way literature, art, and politics influences our lived experiences from childhood through the various phases of our transitions. I highly recommend this read for anyone wanting to learn more about the trans experience, especially for trans women. I also appreciated the lens from outside of the US!
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
i saw someone say they didn't get what they were expecting about this book because juliet talked about so much stuff that wasn't like.. directly related to her gender and how that was supposedly bad but i think the book was beautiful, well thought out, and a very well written memoir
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
(2021 Book#42)
3.75-4⭐️
3.75-4⭐️