Reviews with content warning for Death - Detransition, Baby

This is probably the most unique book I've read in awhile. It tells the story of Reese, Amy, and Katrina - Amy's new girlfriend. Reese and Amy are both transgender women and spent many years in a relationship, during which they lived together and planned to have a family. Things went astray when Amy made the decision to detransition and become Ames, living as a man instead. Things get even crazier when Ames gets his girlfriend pregnant unexpectedly and crazier still when he suggests Reese co-parent with him and Katrina. A lot of messiness ensues!

I thought this book was overall, impressive. It is whip smart, funny, and often heartbreaking. It offers a window into a situation unlike anything I've ever read. The characters are complex and have diverse points of view and the dynamics between characters are incredibly interesting. The writing is beautiful and extremely smart - often a little too smart for me.

The issues I have with it don't necessarily have to do with the quality of the book itself and more with me. I thought that the book was going to be faster paced, and that we were going to see more of the interesting throuple-but-not dynamic than we actually got to see. There is a lot of backstory, which was excellent and told me a lot about Reese and Amy/Ames as people, but not a lot of plot to work with in the present day, which became frustrating for me toward the end. Ultimately, I think that this book is great, and reads quickly despite the slower pacing.

Content Warnings

uriah's review

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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recollections's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i had never read a book that acknowledged let alone explored trans people's sexuality. this book covers so many interesting themes like miscarriage, divorce, identity and, of course, gender. there were many moments where i had that sensation that the author had put into words an abstract idea, unbloosomed thought. this was a life changing book <3

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Detransition, Baby was phenomenal in so many ways, and the perfect book to wrap up a great year in reading. This novel follows Reese, a trans woman, Katrina, a cisgender woman, and Ames, a detransitioned man, as they explore what family means for one another. Though a baby is what brings the unique trio together (or in some cases back together), the relationships are incredibly impactful in finding a sense of identity, desire, and social education.
Each perspective offers a flawed and emotional viewpoint, creating such fleshed out charecters. Reese wants a baby but cannot birth one, Ames wants to be a parent but is not connected with the gender association of fatherhood, and Katrina wants a stable partner to have a child with. While weaving in past and present as well as humorous language, the readers are also forced to reflect on gender, stereotypes, and societal regulations. This is a debut that will stay in my mind for quite awhile, and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.

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miamcmillan's review

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challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i don’t know where to start with this book. the title alone is a masterclass in writing which i only really understood having read the whole thing. this story was so so beautifully written i’m not sure what to do with myself now i’ve finished it. i don’t know if i even like any of the main characters, but i feel such a deep visceral sympathy for them all that i almost love them regardless of whether i like them or not. they’re messy and chaotic and they feel realistic and raw (raw as in absolutely refusing to pander to the comfort of the reader and being human). i personally love the way the plot provides a very complex and deeply thought out insight into motherhood and women; i could read the thoughts and analogies and desires peters puts into reese’s head forever, even if i don’t know if i particularly like reese. i also love how the book refuses to explain itself and doesn’t try to speak for the experiences of all trans women - it’s very clearly about white trans women, and doesn’t try to pretend it’s not. peters manages to create pieces of stunning writing (like the elephant metaphor for white trans girls) which could have felt a bit out of place but instead are absolutely brilliant. peters’ writing is just absolutely amazing for such an early point in her career. should be read especially by every cis person whether queer or not - it’s not supposed to make you comfortable. i truly truly LOVED reading this - i was especially drawn to katrina and reese’s interactions as characters. the one thing i would say is there is a lot of explicit content of various kinds (which was absolutely necessary in my opinion) but just be careful! i couldn’t put this novel down, it’s just so clever and well written and i want to scream about it from the rooftops forever. i’ve been talking about it to all my mums friends for days it’s just absolutely glorious. new york is perhaps as unglamorous as i’ve ever seen it in a novel and i LOVED that - it feels like a completely different city and it’s beautiful. the whole thing is just gorgeous. please, please read it.

Content Warnings

kathleenivy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

skylaturner's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

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