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erraticeldandil's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
"No, I was not trapped in the wrong body. I was trapped in the wrong universe. In order to become who I was, I had to break the world open. I had to embrace a kind of science fiction life. Or maybe a magical life, by which I mean the ability to experience the world, and connections, and myself, in ways that did not fit the standard model of reality." From 'Trans Central Station'
Absolutely gorgeous. I love truly queer writing where I just feel the connection between your mind and the authors. This was wonderfully and joyously trans and was a blast to read.
I was a bit conflicted by the narrative use of cancer but on the whole I don't mind it in context since the whole story seemed like a way of pushing one to queer their thinking.
Absolutely gorgeous. I love truly queer writing where I just feel the connection between your mind and the authors. This was wonderfully and joyously trans and was a blast to read.
I was a bit conflicted by the narrative use of cancer but on the whole I don't mind it in context since the whole story seemed like a way of pushing one to queer their thinking.
indeedithappens's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Transphobia, Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Classism, Deadnaming, Slavery, Abandonment, Ableism, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Excrement, and Fire/Fire injury
thndrkat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
In my opinion most of the stories in this book are F-ing amazing. The first story was the less interesting one to me, and while Rachel’s answers to the interview questions at the end were beautiful, I thought the interview itself was disappointing. If you are a fan of her work, absolutely read this book! Her vision is so transcendent and amazing. If you are not had a fan, this collection may feel a bit disjointed but I think it’s worth a try for anyone interested in imaginative and trans-positive literature.
shri_ace13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kjboldon's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I like and admire the work of Rachel Pollack but found this collection uneven. I enjoyed the first story, The Woman Who Didn't Come Back, but found the rest too long.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
I rather enjoyed this one, particularly "Burning Beard." I remember the original story from when I read it as a young churchgoer (back when I was one), and this version does such a good job of showing what such a story probably would have been like.
ninoshmino's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I was so happy when a bookseller put this in my hands, and appalled I hadn't heard of Rachel Pollack's work before. This collection is a just a brief glimpse into her body of work, covering fiction, memoir, and "The Beatrix Gates" which feels like a blend of the two, as well as an interview. Some of the work feels like a historical artifact as well as a story, capturing a very particular moment in trans culture. All in all, Pollack is a delight.