Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff

7 reviews

halftimelord's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Mixed feelings about this book!

It was difficult to escape some of the stereotypes and slightly odd choices in this portrayal of a transgender character throughout the book, although as The Danish Girl came out 24 years ago it's not surprising. 

Despite this, there are some lovely passages

I loved Lili naming herself after the River Elbe 😭

and the surprising amount of respect that many characters show to Lili was refreshing,

apart from the lobotomy talk.

The relationships between the characters, especially Lili and Greta, were written brilliantly. Their marriage is one of the most beautiful relationships I've ever encountered in a book, and that's what I'll be taking away from this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Medical content

davbat's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

An effective and emotional read, but very early 2000s. It is clearly a trans narrative by a non-trans author and plays into gender essentialism and stereotypes. Seriously harmed by the author's choice to fictionalize Lili Elbe, including a powerful inner monologue, rather than writing an entirely fictional work loosely based on her life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and War

Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

The author's portrayal of trans identity or gender dysphoria strongly resembles psychosis.

todrick_the_tree's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

at the end of it i was weeping more than the elbe could hold

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Dysphoria, and War

Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

halaagmod's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.25

The prose is vivid and absolutely beautiful, but as far as conveying the lives and struggles of transgender people and their loved ones, it's lackluster at best and actively harmful and offensive in its portrayals at worst.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia

Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

Minor: Miscarriage

audreyywood's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

4.75

A tragic love story set against the back drop of Europe during the years of the world war. This was one of the most thought provoking and complicated novels I’ve read, and I loved every second of it. Especially as a partner of someone going through their own gender transition and struggles, it was both comforting and challenging. This is an important work of LGBTQ historical fiction that I think all queer youth should engage with. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, and Transphobia

Moderate: Physical abuse

Minor: War

lucithefer's review against another edition

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

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Child death, Death, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

rocireads's review against another edition

emotional inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia