Scan barcode
mal_bookedatfirstsight's review against another edition
3.0
Until I read this, never had I ever read a book that made me feel like the unhinged woman.
I don’t know how to rate this- I didn’t love it, at times, i really disliked it, but I also think it’s a one of a kind book that is brutally honest, unapologetic, and complex.
The characters were insufferable, yet I appreciated their povs. This book is insightful, depressing, and MESSY!!!! There’s so much commentary in this story, some statements made by the main character felt really problematic, which makes me feel conflict. HOWEVER, I loved that this story pushes boundaries and reimagines the ideas of womanhood, which is why I’m glad I read it.
I don’t know how to rate this- I didn’t love it, at times, i really disliked it, but I also think it’s a one of a kind book that is brutally honest, unapologetic, and complex.
The characters were insufferable, yet I appreciated their povs. This book is insightful, depressing, and MESSY!!!! There’s so much commentary in this story, some statements made by the main character felt really problematic, which makes me feel conflict. HOWEVER, I loved that this story pushes boundaries and reimagines the ideas of womanhood, which is why I’m glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racism
Minor: Suicide
cheuksin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have very mixed opinions on this book. The plot is quite unique and definitely presented some unique ideas on gender and motherhood.
Reese was often incredibly unlikeable, however she was easy to sympathise with. Overall Ames and Reese had quite interesting character development.
“He’d lived as a trans woman for seven years. But it was too hard. Too hard. He didn’t pass. He wanted to die. He was still a trans woman.“ it has never fully occurred to me the reason why someone might detransition
Reese was often incredibly unlikeable, however she was easy to sympathise with. Overall Ames and Reese had quite interesting character development.
I want men to suffer. I want a man to love me so much he murders me. I want to die because I’m loved too much for him to tolerate my existence.
Craziest thing I’ve read in a while
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Violence
Minor: Deadnaming, Infidelity, and Outing
streberkatze's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, and Abortion
ashofadummy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.75
This book was amazing. It unravels the life of the three main characters with every other chapter, making you love and hate every one of them as you get to know them. I loved the trans life depictions, they made me feel seen and everything was just well written, making statements with every story told.
It may not have a happy ending, but it has a real ending, not making everything turn out good nor like we wanted it
It may not have a happy ending, but it has a real ending, not making everything turn out good nor like we wanted it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Abortion
glorifiedloveletters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Though sometimes the dialogue came off a bit more like a monologue than a conversation, the book is a good one. More messy, complicated queer stories that aren't necessarily tragedies, please. I can understand why some maybe did not enjoy the ending, but life doesn't have tidy resolutions, so for me, it worked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Chronic illness
rebeccaloosli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was probably the most highly praised book of last year by the reader opinions I trust most so it was a must read for me. Happy to say it did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book. It was quick paced and fun, a real romp of a story that was also full of heart. The format of flipping back and forth in time worked for me and was an effective way to develop the characters and their motives. Torrey Peters wrote with such compassion and understanding to her characters, as a reader you can feel for all of them. This book is funny in the smartest ways. The exploration of gender and sexuality was fascinating and provocative. As a straight, cis woman that also happens to be divorced, I found myself checking myself and my own conclusions and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read about the the trans community through this book. The idea to plop a straight, cis woman central to the plot was brilliant. It allowed the reader to consider straight culture and the sometimes clumsy curiosity towards queer culture. The vulnerability and complexities involved in the trans community were so thoughtfully displayed. Just a fantastic read that packed a punch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
montyroz's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Abortion
emilyeehaw's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
hmmmm. honestly unsure about my overall thoughts about this book. as a CONCEPT, fantastic! the exploration of motherhood from the perspectives of a cis woman, a trans woman, and a detransitioned man....yeah babes it was giving nuance and deeply complex situations and emotions. it was so interesting to read about these three individuals with such storied histories trying to navigate possibly raising a child together. lots of great discussions about sexuality, gender, race, class, and how all of these impact being a parent. but there were issues i had with the book and with the characters to a lesser extent, that limit how much i actually enjoyed reading.
i thought the writing of this was TOO MUCH at times. too many pretentious words that made me feel like the author was trying to let readers know they were intelligent and knew how to throw in some big conceptual phrases. needless to say, it took me out of the book, it wasn't a book that had a great rhythm and flow to it. i read this story over several choppy starts and stops, and a lot of that had to do with the writing. TOO MUCH description...mayhaps not enough dialogue for my liking.
i also had issues with the characters, however, they are meant to be shown as flawed and realistic so i can't find too much fault with it. that being said, all of them made me want to YELL several times. katrina in how much she misunderstood queer culture and what she unfairly expected from it. reese....babes all the time, the infidelity and then the not apologizing, the weaponizing emotions and then also not apologizing. ames for thinking of genuinely maybe the most ridiculous idea in an effort to soothe past issues with reese while ignoring how it might impact katrina, the current partner. MESS. a MESS ALL OF IT. again, i appreciated how flawed they were in the sense that it made them feel realistic. especially depicting trans characters as capable of being shitty people rather than the perfect individuals they are often shown as in an effort to sanitize them and their identities to be palatable to mainstream markets. torrey peters you understood the assignment on that one.
MANY THOUGHTS i can't even begin to put into words. will definitely be chewing on my feelings for a while.
i thought the writing of this was TOO MUCH at times. too many pretentious words that made me feel like the author was trying to let readers know they were intelligent and knew how to throw in some big conceptual phrases. needless to say, it took me out of the book, it wasn't a book that had a great rhythm and flow to it. i read this story over several choppy starts and stops, and a lot of that had to do with the writing. TOO MUCH description...mayhaps not enough dialogue for my liking.
i also had issues with the characters, however, they are meant to be shown as flawed and realistic so i can't find too much fault with it. that being said, all of them made me want to YELL several times. katrina in how much she misunderstood queer culture and what she unfairly expected from it. reese....babes all the time, the infidelity and then the not apologizing, the weaponizing emotions and then also not apologizing. ames for thinking of genuinely maybe the most ridiculous idea in an effort to soothe past issues with reese while ignoring how it might impact katrina, the current partner. MESS. a MESS ALL OF IT. again, i appreciated how flawed they were in the sense that it made them feel realistic. especially depicting trans characters as capable of being shitty people rather than the perfect individuals they are often shown as in an effort to sanitize them and their identities to be palatable to mainstream markets. torrey peters you understood the assignment on that one.
MANY THOUGHTS i can't even begin to put into words. will definitely be chewing on my feelings for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence and Abortion
larseneiii's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Violence, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
marisol1990's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, and Abortion
Moderate: Abandonment