Reviews with content warning for Infertility - Detransition, Baby

This story is a complex and nuanced reflection on womanhood and motherhood. At times however, it felt like nonfiction in disguise, with many detailed and metaphorical monologues to explain very specific ideas. Although these descriptions were succesful in their purpose, they felt too elaborate and therefore overemphasised, and I felt a similar way about the comprehensive flashbacks and many kink scenes. This book unexpectedly challenged me as well, as I felt there was more cruelty between the characters than justified by their individual considerations and complexities. Instead, I would have liked to see more of Ames' present-day relationship with both women, as I felt his character could have added some depth and peace to the story, but instead he started to drift away from the plot after a while.

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scocco32's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

4.0

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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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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

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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

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marysaou's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.75

This book is groundbreaking. I've never read a novel about trans people, by a trans person. It was eye-opening, heart-wrenching, shocking at times, and so very human. I can imagine it's been a long time coming for the trans community to have such a story. My cisgender privilege and perspective glared while reading this. It will be a great book club read, if you have a trusting & safe group; I look forward to conversations with my book bestie on this one. (Side note: I was not prepared for the amount of graphic content.)

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