Reviews - Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition

67 reviews for:

Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition

P. Carl

3.9 AVERAGE

samcabreradixon's review

4.0

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

roouija's review against another edition

4.25

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

gayelfboi's review

3.75

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

Content Warnings

storymel2023's review against another edition

4.0

Well thought out account of trans-masculine experience. There’s so many parts of this book that are uncomfortable to read. Applaud his authenticity. Double consciousness of a trans man leads to lots of insights about gender and masculinity. That said, it was an unsettling book. I didn’t like how the author kept pushing that they liked being a guy’s guy and their new privilege as a white man. Like we get it... the white male guilt is nauseating after a few chapters.

spencerfantastic's review

4.5

I have read this book twice now, first on my own and the second time for my trans masc book club. I really enjoyed this one, but also found it to be very sad.

While I view Carl's devotion to his wife to be very admirable, I want better for him and for him to be able to find a partner who does love and support him fully in his life. I found the way his wife treats him to be very abusive and, for lack of better words, ignorant and stupid. I understand that a partner transitioning can be a big change, but Lynette continuously acts like a five year old who does not understand that partners change over the years, whether they transition or not. I really hope that he has found better, whether that means he and his wife have actually been able to work through their problems enough that they are in a loving and supportive relationship, or that he has moved on to someone better.

When it comes to gender, I found a lot of Carl's observations to be very self aware, while simultaneously being self deprecating. I understand why he thinks and feels the way that he does but wished that he was not put in a position where he must feel that way. I do not think that transition is a narcissistic act, but a self loving one, and I do not think that it is lying or manipulative to not be open to every person in one's life about one's transgender status. It really saddened me that Carl has so little love and support in his life and is made to feel poorly about transitioning, and again I hope that he has gotten to a place where he feels better about himself and has loving people in his life.

dogboy_tim's review

5.0

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

A book that touches on many issues that trans men like myself may experience! Definitely a good read!

forgedinfury's review

2.75

dark reflective sad medium-paced

Content Warnings

ceris's review against another edition

I read this one because Elliot Page said it was part of his trans awakening. It’s got it’s problems though. For example? His wife is a lesbian and hates that he is a man and is angry that he transitioned?? Ok neither of your identities are being affirmed in this relationship

_robertaevelyn_'s review against another edition

5.0

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! P. Carl is so vulnerable and open. In this memoir he shares intimate details of his transition and how that affected his relationships with his wife, family members, and interactions with strangers. I also appreciate how he recognizes and names the privileges that come with being a white male, but also his unique insight due to the fact that he had to present as a woman for so many years of his life.

mitchell_1's review

3.5

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

Content Warnings

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