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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Grief, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Rape, Medical content, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Abandonment
gambling
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3 stars
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Please note that I rate this book based on the literary side of the book not the author’s story
🧠My thoughts
First of all, I really appreciate the fact that Carl was willing to show his vulnerability and bare truths in this book. There were so many powerful messages and it was very relatable. It was pretty wholesome to see that he could finally be himself and embrace his masculinity.
However, it’s sad to say this because I feel like I would be the last one on Earth to spurt this out. As much as I learned and related to things in this book, it felt a bit uncomfortable to see the author try a bit hard to involve himself in toxic masculinity. He was aware of the toxicity but maybe because he wanted to feel integrated as a man, he chose to behave like one. There were so many parts that left me cold because he kept repeating things about white straight men. I understood that trans men want to pass well as cis men but behaving in a toxic way shouldn’t be the right way I think. I expected the book to give me more perspective on gender identity, how is it to have the transition, as well as the mentality behind it. But if becoming a man means I should behave like one in a toxic way, making excuses for bad behaviors because “I’m just a man” then no thank you.
đź‘Ť What I like
- Good details about being a trans man
đź‘Ž What I don't like
- Some parts are scattered
- Not enough insights into the transitioning
- Uncomfortable with some parts related to being a white man
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
An important read, especially in 2021. I don't pretend to fully understand every concept Carl describes, and I certainly don't feel qualified to rate such a vulnerable memoir, but I would say if you are curious in hearing trans stories, this would be a great one to start with. I learned a great deal, and I am appreciative to him for writing this and sharing such tender feelings with all of us.
Carl explores his transition and the new male privilege that comes with it. It sounded interesting but I just couldn’t feel motivated to read it. I’m sure many people will find the book helpful or enlightening but sadly the writing style just didn’t hold my attention and I haven’t felt drawn back into reading it so I’ll DNF for now and maybe some day I’ll come back to it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Dementia, Suicide attempt
Minor: Hate crime, Murder
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced