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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
This was an incredibly interesting and eye-opening memoir. Intersex as a condition is something that I've learned about recently, and something that I refuse to quit learning about. There's so much that I don't know, and so much science doesn't know yet--though what remains important is the respect, honesty, and understanding one has for the intersex community. And what a diverse community it is! Though Kimberly had always considered herself "cis" (ie, being born female and accepting that designation), not every intersex person agrees with the designation doctors have forced upon them. And when I say forced, I mean forced through genital surgery.
Reading Zieselman's memoir has made me so much more aware not only of the struggles and activism that the intersex community works with, but the raw emotions, the feelings of possible betrayal, and the ways in which they're trying to make society more accepting of them.
Reading this memoir was also pretty fun--I moved to Boston two and a half years ago, and Zieselman, having grown up in Boston, remarked upon some street names and landmarks that made me go "I've been there! I know what she's talking about!!" Where it wasn't fun, however, was her discussion of the medical wringer Mass General put her through, from denying her and her parents knowledge of her body, and the denial of a proper response to a letter of her grievances and urges to have them be more open and honest with their intersex patients. Many Bostonians I've met have high high opinions of Mass Gen, so upon reading her experience with this hospital's actions not only many decades ago but recently...yikes. Hopefully since her letter to the and after the soon to be publication of this book, their manner of aiding their intersex patients will be much, much better.
I found this edifying, and so so illuminating. I hope Zieselman never stops what she's doing and continues to fight the good fight. I know she, through her memoir, has certainly educated me and inspired me to do more research and to be a better advocate for the intersex community. This is so, so worth reading.
Review cross-listed here!
Reading Zieselman's memoir has made me so much more aware not only of the struggles and activism that the intersex community works with, but the raw emotions, the feelings of possible betrayal, and the ways in which they're trying to make society more accepting of them.
Reading this memoir was also pretty fun--I moved to Boston two and a half years ago, and Zieselman, having grown up in Boston, remarked upon some street names and landmarks that made me go "I've been there! I know what she's talking about!!" Where it wasn't fun, however, was her discussion of the medical wringer Mass General put her through, from denying her and her parents knowledge of her body, and the denial of a proper response to a letter of her grievances and urges to have them be more open and honest with their intersex patients. Many Bostonians I've met have high high opinions of Mass Gen, so upon reading her experience with this hospital's actions not only many decades ago but recently...yikes. Hopefully since her letter to the and after the soon to be publication of this book, their manner of aiding their intersex patients will be much, much better.
I found this edifying, and so so illuminating. I hope Zieselman never stops what she's doing and continues to fight the good fight. I know she, through her memoir, has certainly educated me and inspired me to do more research and to be a better advocate for the intersex community. This is so, so worth reading.
Review cross-listed here!
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Insightful, educational and emotional. I learned a lot from this book. It also showed well the exhaustion of being an activist when change is so slow - it was slightly painful to see my frustration and exhaustion written throughout.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced