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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Three stars? Sure. I finished this in September 2013, and then promptly decided to not use Goodreads for 3 months for unknown reasons. The only reason I know the date I finished the book is because this was the first book we read for our book club and I am insane and went back through my calendar to look up the first date we met for book club, knowing that I finished reading the book MINUTES before we met.
So, it's a good read. (heh) It's written a little too writing-professory for my liking. Okay, we get it, you can frame a chapter. Now quit it with the cutesy writing technique. It's maybe a dick move to say you'd wished someone had written more about x when it's HER memoirs, since it's sort of up to her to pick what she wants to rememoir (see what I did there?), but as a lot of critics mentioned this tends to glaze right over most examples of prejudice that she faces as she transitioned from male to female. But maybe that's just not her story, so fair enough. The chapter where she writes about how the hormones changed her whole outlook on life was SUPER INTERESTING. I'd recommend pretty much anyone read this book for an introduction to what a transgender person goes through. It's just one person's story, so doesn't need to define everyone, but it's engaging and will probably help even a little bit for those of us who have always felt comfortable with our gender matching our biological sex to understand what it's like when those two things don't line up.
Maybe I should give this 4 stars. It's just the damn tidy-as-fuck chapter framing that holds me back. I am an asshole.
So, it's a good read. (heh) It's written a little too writing-professory for my liking. Okay, we get it, you can frame a chapter. Now quit it with the cutesy writing technique. It's maybe a dick move to say you'd wished someone had written more about x when it's HER memoirs, since it's sort of up to her to pick what she wants to rememoir (see what I did there?), but as a lot of critics mentioned this tends to glaze right over most examples of prejudice that she faces as she transitioned from male to female. But maybe that's just not her story, so fair enough. The chapter where she writes about how the hormones changed her whole outlook on life was SUPER INTERESTING. I'd recommend pretty much anyone read this book for an introduction to what a transgender person goes through. It's just one person's story, so doesn't need to define everyone, but it's engaging and will probably help even a little bit for those of us who have always felt comfortable with our gender matching our biological sex to understand what it's like when those two things don't line up.
Maybe I should give this 4 stars. It's just the damn tidy-as-fuck chapter framing that holds me back. I am an asshole.
I tend to not read cover blurbs or summaries, preferring to read a book without any preconceived notions. So, it was a wonderful surprise to realize that this memoir was written by a friend of Richard Russo, one of my favorite authors. I was instantly prepared to like this book, and it delivered. Jennifer is up-front about her struggles, foibles, and all-around human-ness, and this book is a moving look at a woman's journey to transition to a body that reflects her true sense of self. I'd imagine this would be a very different story if her transition had taken place a few years later, when widespread social media use became the norm.
I’ve read a number of books by trans authors, and this was not the best one but it was one of the earlier ones. Boylan wrote this book several years ago and reissued it on the 10th anniversary with new content. Overall, it was a good book and no doubt helpful when it was first published…but I found it lacking.
Very little was shared about her inner life and struggles. As she is an east coast academic, the book was full of academic references and name dropping (and her constant references to “Russo”)…and at times I thought she just needed a good editor. The most memorable thing about this book was the extreme unhappiness between her and her wife. They claim they are happily married, but Boylan’s wife does not even use the word “wife” about her partner…and they have a sexless relationship. It just seems terribly sad all around.
Very little was shared about her inner life and struggles. As she is an east coast academic, the book was full of academic references and name dropping (and her constant references to “Russo”)…and at times I thought she just needed a good editor. The most memorable thing about this book was the extreme unhappiness between her and her wife. They claim they are happily married, but Boylan’s wife does not even use the word “wife” about her partner…and they have a sexless relationship. It just seems terribly sad all around.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This book was such a delight. I loved the writing. Very funny too. Highly recommend.
I felt ambivalent about the afterward by her friend Richard Russo. I enjoyed their exchange of emails in the middle of the book, the description of their conversations, and the uncomfortable and messy process Russo went through in being able to accept his friend's gender transition. His perspective in the afterward was really interesting too and I appreciated some of the stories he shared. But I did not like him having the literal last word in her story, or his discomfort and complex feelings about her transition being the closing note of the book.
I felt ambivalent about the afterward by her friend Richard Russo. I enjoyed their exchange of emails in the middle of the book, the description of their conversations, and the uncomfortable and messy process Russo went through in being able to accept his friend's gender transition. His perspective in the afterward was really interesting too and I appreciated some of the stories he shared. But I did not like him having the literal last word in her story, or his discomfort and complex feelings about her transition being the closing note of the book.
I had trouble with the stream of consciousness style.........but I got used to it.
I must have missed something. I looked at the reviews on Amazon (to see if I'm the nut, usually) and most reviewers said something to the effect of how this book gave them some grand understanding of transgender.
I found the treatment relatively superficial in that regard. I do like her sense of humor so I'm going to get one of her novels to read.
I must have missed something. I looked at the reviews on Amazon (to see if I'm the nut, usually) and most reviewers said something to the effect of how this book gave them some grand understanding of transgender.
I found the treatment relatively superficial in that regard. I do like her sense of humor so I'm going to get one of her novels to read.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is one of the very few books I not only enjoyed but felt as if I lived through the events of the story. As someone who struggled pretty much their whole life with gender, I can confidently say that this indeed is the best memoir I've read so far, in addition to how well written it is, it has left me with hope and an emotional uplifting. I'm so beyond grateful to Jennifer for being visible and sharing her experience with the world and opening more eyes to the struggles of transgender individuals.
What's great about books like this is that it teaches you something. Personally, the struggle of this author is something that I won't ever fully understand, so it was helpful to read this book and get more insight to what people like Jenny go through. A "step into their shoes" experience, to a degree. It wasn't uproariously funny, but very straightforward, which, at times, allowed for considerable humor. Well written, I'd say, with enough depth into her emotions that even though the reader might not have similar experiences, you can feel empathetic toward Jenny's experiences. While LGB issues and topics on the rise in the public eye, this book was a nice introduction into some of the transgender experiences that aren't given much attention to, beyond the stereotypical expectations.
I was surprised when I finally got drawn into this book. At first, the only thing that kept me from putting it aside was the drama I was sure would ensue when James made the transition to Jennifer. But Jenny's writing is funny and concise and well done. She captures the emotional and physical aspects of her transition from male to female succinctly and articulately. If you are at all interested in transgender issues, this is an excellent read.