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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Thank you to Emily who sent me this book!!
As a continuation of the 2019 goal, in 2020 I am trying to read more trans authors, especially trans masculine nonfiction. P. Carl has an engaging story that I at times related to, and most of the time did not (which is not a bad thing, obviously) . I enjoyed the writing, I thought it was very strong, and contained the multitudes of the human experience. I particularly liked the letter to his wife and the chapter about the role of daughters. My only complaint was that it was compared to Maggie Nelson who is one of my favorite authors, and although he analyzes her work at one point, I did not feel like he reached Maggie Nelson's level. He did incorporate feminist theory to his work at times, but it read much more like a straight (hehe) memoir then Maggie Nelson ever does. He mostly references it in passing rather than engages with it. Overall, a good memoir.
As a continuation of the 2019 goal, in 2020 I am trying to read more trans authors, especially trans masculine nonfiction. P. Carl has an engaging story that I at times related to, and most of the time did not (which is not a bad thing, obviously) . I enjoyed the writing, I thought it was very strong, and contained the multitudes of the human experience. I particularly liked the letter to his wife and the chapter about the role of daughters. My only complaint was that it was compared to Maggie Nelson who is one of my favorite authors, and although he analyzes her work at one point, I did not feel like he reached Maggie Nelson's level. He did incorporate feminist theory to his work at times, but it read much more like a straight (hehe) memoir then Maggie Nelson ever does. He mostly references it in passing rather than engages with it. Overall, a good memoir.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
A fascinating memoir by a 50+-year old trans man who has a PhD in gender and cultural studies. The book is an excellent example of theory and lived experience coming together.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Carl conveys all the messy (and joyful!) feelings and experiences that come with transitioning, especially doing so while married. I did find myself wishing he'd spent more time talking about toxic masculinity, though. Loved his writing style.
"Becoming a Man" in 2020 America is anything but straight-forward. What does transitioning mean for a man, previously in a lesbian relationship of 20 years, who finally feels good in his body but also recognizes the complications that this embrace of masculinity entails?
In "Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition," P. Carl outlines his transition and reflects on his experiences of gender dysphoria growing up, his fraught relationship with his parents, and what this all means for his relationship to masculinity. Unafraid to go deep and discuss conflict, Carl addresses the privileges that come with white masculinity, and the real dangers faced by women in the U.S. - even going into detail about his own experience of sexual assault prior to his transition. A book that is still working itself out, much in the same way Carl is still working out his own relationship to masculinity, at times the book feels unbound, unsettled, and lacking material ground; its best parts come when he narrates through his stories, but the book unfortunately falters when his own self-reflections become a bit too longwinded.
Another good book on the tension faced by trans men, "Becoming a Man" is worth the read.
In "Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition," P. Carl outlines his transition and reflects on his experiences of gender dysphoria growing up, his fraught relationship with his parents, and what this all means for his relationship to masculinity. Unafraid to go deep and discuss conflict, Carl addresses the privileges that come with white masculinity, and the real dangers faced by women in the U.S. - even going into detail about his own experience of sexual assault prior to his transition. A book that is still working itself out, much in the same way Carl is still working out his own relationship to masculinity, at times the book feels unbound, unsettled, and lacking material ground; its best parts come when he narrates through his stories, but the book unfortunately falters when his own self-reflections become a bit too longwinded.
Another good book on the tension faced by trans men, "Becoming a Man" is worth the read.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Felt a bit inconclusive and self-deprecating. I know Carl is in the thick of struggle while writing, but it makes me want to hate him when he starts to talk like a misogynistic male just because he can now. Also, I want to hear from Lynette, too!
An interesting reflection by the author on the factors that have shaped his identity as a man after beginning to transition at the age of fifty. Sone of the ideas get a bit repetitive and the story tends to loop back on itself without adding anything new at times. The writing is clear, concise, and poetic, and the stories related within the memoir are told with poetic and evocative language. The blend of personal narrative and philosophical ideas of manhood are well blended and balance each other out for the main part. There are a few places where the narration takes on a preachy tone that can become distracting.