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emptzuu's review against another edition
Despite the author's claim that the book wasn’t intended to educate about trans people or to encourage better allyship, it comes across as preachy with generalized, unredeemed statements. It’s an incoherent mess that needs significant editing. The prose is cluttered, making the narrative hard to follow. Characters lacked motivation and articulation, which made their actions and dialogues implausible.
The author mentioned writing the book to be funny and relevant to her friends, portraying trans people as ordinary, flawed individuals. However, it instead focuses on the internalization of abuse and violence, with characters stuck in victimhood and unhealthy relationships. Critics call this a social comedy, yet it’s a dark, painful read devoid of humor, with an overwhelmingly negative tone.
The book fetishizes pregnancy, abuse, and womanhood, presenting a violent, misogynistic view. Although I’m comfortable with BDSM and sexual themes as an avid romance reader, the book's linkage of these themes with misogyny was deeply problematic. The book is riddled with stereotypes and problematic views of cis women, portraying them as objects, submissive sluts, or good girls needing to be dominated. It’s troubling to link girlhood with submission in such a way.
Trans voices need more representation, but this book does a disservice to the community by perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The implication that trans women desire abuse from cis men is particularly troubling and potentially dangerous. The hypersexualization of both trans life and cis women is neither enjoyable nor constructive. I worry about the impact of this portrayal on both the trans community and broader societal perceptions. It would be refreshing to see well-written, non-victimizing, and well-rounded characters for once.
The author mentioned writing the book to be funny and relevant to her friends, portraying trans people as ordinary, flawed individuals. However, it instead focuses on the internalization of abuse and violence, with characters stuck in victimhood and unhealthy relationships. Critics call this a social comedy, yet it’s a dark, painful read devoid of humor, with an overwhelmingly negative tone.
The book fetishizes pregnancy, abuse, and womanhood, presenting a violent, misogynistic view. Although I’m comfortable with BDSM and sexual themes as an avid romance reader, the book's linkage of these themes with misogyny was deeply problematic. The book is riddled with stereotypes and problematic views of cis women, portraying them as objects, submissive sluts, or good girls needing to be dominated. It’s troubling to link girlhood with submission in such a way.
Trans voices need more representation, but this book does a disservice to the community by perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The implication that trans women desire abuse from cis men is particularly troubling and potentially dangerous. The hypersexualization of both trans life and cis women is neither enjoyable nor constructive. I worry about the impact of this portrayal on both the trans community and broader societal perceptions. It would be refreshing to see well-written, non-victimizing, and well-rounded characters for once.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, and Misogyny
finleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Xenophobia, Abortion, Miscarriage, and Racism
beansandrice's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
I'm glad this book exists, but it definitely isn't for everyone. The overlapping realities of trans lives and reproductive rights are incredibly complicated, and Detransition, Baby doesn't shy away from this complexity. This book isn't at all about providing answers, but I'll be thinking back to it a lot with these topics nevertheless. In the end, Detransition, Baby is about capturing a certain kind of trans experience, and Torrey Peters undeniably succeeds at this.
It does still have a few rough edges, especially how it left me wanting in its various conversations around ethnicity and race. Admittedly, I almost DNF'd it because the many explicit sex scenes were almost too much for me. I don't regret finishing it though. I saw myself so much in these characters, despite the fact that they're very different kinds of trans people compared to myself.
Don't expect perfection, expect a journey.
It does still have a few rough edges, especially how it left me wanting in its various conversations around ethnicity and race. Admittedly, I almost DNF'd it because the many explicit sex scenes were almost too much for me. I don't regret finishing it though. I saw myself so much in these characters, despite the fact that they're very different kinds of trans people compared to myself.
Don't expect perfection, expect a journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Transphobia, Infidelity, and Hate crime
Moderate: Outing, Abortion, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Racism, Deadnaming, and Physical abuse
sundayfever's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an incredible read. A book written for trans people, not to explain trans people to the world. Deeply flawed but loveable characters who make mistakes and hurt each other, but with an undercurrent of love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia, Infidelity, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Hate crime
Moderate: Abortion, Deadnaming, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Racism, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
teganbeesebooks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Infertility, Outing, Racism, Miscarriage, Classism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Deadnaming, Medical content, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Abandonment, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Body shaming
cogowno's review against another edition
I read it recently and figured I remember almost everything. Maybe gonna attempt again by the end of the year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexism, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
3.0
I feel conflicted on this - there were some parts I loved while others just didn't sit well with me. The story itself is heartbreaking and felt honest. I know some have taken issue with it in other reviews, but honestly I didn't feel that in the same way. I think a lot was placed on the concept of motherhood being so tied to womanhood and the strict gender roles that come with parenting, which is something that was interesting to read about and something that I found resonated. So much is tied to "mother" or "father" and as a society we really struggle to think outside of those bubbles.
Anyway, this was a decent read - if it's something that seems interesting, it's worth picking up.
Anyway, this was a decent read - if it's something that seems interesting, it's worth picking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Pregnancy
maeverose's review against another edition
Maybe I’ll revisit this someday?
It just wasn’t really what I was expecting. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. The main characters are very messy people who make questionable decisions, which on one hand is nice to see because it allows trans people to be messy and human just like everyone else without the expectation of perfect representation, but on the other hand, I don’t really care to read about Reese’s questionable sex life for a huge chunk of the book (well, the beginning at least). I feel like all I know about her is she’s trans, has terrible taste in men and little self worth. I also (as a childfree person) really didn’t like how the characters were going about the whole parenting thing. I stopped somewhere in the middle of chapter two, but the way Katrina was like ‘I’m only having the baby if I have a co parent’ made me feel like she didn’t actually want a baby and should probably just get the abortion. As well as Ames using the pregnancy seemingly just as an excuse to kind of get back together with Reese in a way. It bothers me so much seeing people become parents for stupid reasons, and the characters in this book were all way too messy to care for a child, and two of them didn’t even seem like they wanted to.
I have no objective issues with the book, it’s just not for me.
It just wasn’t really what I was expecting. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. The main characters are very messy people who make questionable decisions, which on one hand is nice to see because it allows trans people to be messy and human just like everyone else without the expectation of perfect representation, but on the other hand, I don’t really care to read about Reese’s questionable sex life for a huge chunk of the book (well, the beginning at least). I feel like all I know about her is she’s trans, has terrible taste in men and little self worth. I also (as a childfree person) really didn’t like how the characters were going about the whole parenting thing. I stopped somewhere in the middle of chapter two, but the way Katrina was like ‘I’m only having the baby if I have a co parent’ made me feel like she didn’t actually want a baby and should probably just get the abortion. As well as Ames using the pregnancy seemingly just as an excuse to kind of get back together with Reese in a way. It bothers me so much seeing people become parents for stupid reasons, and the characters in this book were all way too messy to care for a child, and two of them didn’t even seem like they wanted to.
I have no objective issues with the book, it’s just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Gore, and Animal death
Minor: Abortion, Infertility, Antisemitism, and Racism
The gore is just animal gore, at least as far as I readmmikenaite's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Dysphoria, Outing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
Moderate: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Transphobia
megelizabeth's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
The positive thing I have to say about this book is that it's interesting. It's slow and it took me a while to get through, but it contains a lot of great observations, conversations, and themes, and definitely made me think more deeply about a plethora of aspects of the trans experience. Of course, it looks a lot also at the detrans experience, and gives a really compelling insight into what detransition can mean in reality.
However, I did struggle with this book because it's very much character-driven and I really didn't connect to or particularly like any of the main characters. I'm sure they're supposed to be viewed through a critical lens, but that knowledge didn't help me during the many insufferable parts, the plot and the themes not being enough to make me appreciate the characters also. I also can't not mention the fact that this book contains a graphic depiction of underage sex, which there's literally no reason or excuse for; the points being made about the character involved could easily have been done so without including this. To a lesser, but still frustrating, degree, there's also an odd comment about hysterectomies being 'widely available', which again was maybe supposed to be viewed critically, but surely didn't come off that way.
However, I did struggle with this book because it's very much character-driven and I really didn't connect to or particularly like any of the main characters. I'm sure they're supposed to be viewed through a critical lens, but that knowledge didn't help me during the many insufferable parts, the plot and the themes not being enough to make me appreciate the characters also. I also can't not mention the fact that this book contains a graphic depiction of underage sex, which there's literally no reason or excuse for; the points being made about the character involved could easily have been done so without including this. To a lesser, but still frustrating, degree, there's also an odd comment about hysterectomies being 'widely available', which again was maybe supposed to be viewed critically, but surely didn't come off that way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Violence, and Transphobia
Moderate: Abortion, Infidelity, Homophobia, Blood, Drug use, and Death
Minor: Racism and Suicide