Scan barcode
codycampbell's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this so badly but I just couldn’t.
Race is dealt with very clumsily in this book.
The writing is sloppy. It's fixated on too many irrelevant details and flashbacks. The dialogue is unnatural and the characters are poorly developed (especially Katrina, who feels more like a plot device than anything).
Peters uses the characters to get on her soapbox, which is irritating. I think she should've written a nonfiction on the complexities of motherhood/parenthood for transfemmes and detransitioners. It would’ve been a better book.
I will say it’s a captivating read regardless of my gripes. But I'm excited to see what better stories are on the horizon for Trans lit.
Race is dealt with very clumsily in this book.
The writing is sloppy. It's fixated on too many irrelevant details and flashbacks. The dialogue is unnatural and the characters are poorly developed (especially Katrina, who feels more like a plot device than anything).
Peters uses the characters to get on her soapbox, which is irritating. I think she should've written a nonfiction on the complexities of motherhood/parenthood for transfemmes and detransitioners. It would’ve been a better book.
I will say it’s a captivating read regardless of my gripes. But I'm excited to see what better stories are on the horizon for Trans lit.
podanotherjessi's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-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
3.75
This book occupies a very interesting space in that whenever I was reading, I was completely engrossed. But when I wasn't reading it, I didn't think about it at all. Which is probably a sign that in a week, I will have forgotten this novel entirely. And that's honestly a shame, because it was a good book that had me thinking about a lot of things I've never considered much before.
While detransition is a large part of this book, the focus really is more on the "baby" part of the title. It explores motherhood and queer parenting, and I was really intrigued by all the discussions being had. Which is why the ending was such a let down for me, I think, because the conversation just kind of stopped. I think the intent is for the book to not give the reader any answers to the questions that have been posed, but I found it rather unsatisfactory. Still, good book over all.
While detransition is a large part of this book, the focus really is more on the "baby" part of the title. It explores motherhood and queer parenting, and I was really intrigued by all the discussions being had. Which is why the ending was such a let down for me, I think, because the conversation just kind of stopped. I think the intent is for the book to not give the reader any answers to the questions that have been posed, but I found it rather unsatisfactory. Still, good book over all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage
lethargicbumblebee's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
demikevy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.0
courtneyevason1910's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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
3.0
jennykre's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
mmz's review against another edition
challenging
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
jthunderrr's review against another edition
4.0
Engrossing and powerful.
Minor inconsequential gripes:
- In St. Paul, they’re called hot dishes, not casseroles.
- The Mustard Museum would not have been located in Middleton during Reese’s childhood - it moved there from Mount Horeb when she would have been in her mid-twenties
Minor inconsequential gripes:
- In St. Paul, they’re called hot dishes, not casseroles.
- The Mustard Museum would not have been located in Middleton during Reese’s childhood - it moved there from Mount Horeb when she would have been in her mid-twenties
rileyybrady's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0