Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Detransition, Baby

3.75 / 5

Despite wanting to enjoy this book, I found myself struggling with it and nearly didn't finish it. It put me in a reading slump for a while. However, towards the end, the story did start to pick up and become more engaging, but it almost felt like too little too late. While it wasn't my favorite read, I can see how it could resonate with others and appreciate the unique perspective it offered.

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3.0

Until I read this, never had I ever read a book that made me feel like the unhinged woman.

I don’t know how to rate this- I didn’t love it, at times, i really disliked it, but I also think it’s a one of a kind book that is brutally honest, unapologetic, and complex.
The characters were insufferable, yet I appreciated their povs. This book is insightful, depressing, and MESSY!!!! There’s so much commentary in this story, some statements made by the main character felt really problematic, which makes me feel conflict. HOWEVER, I loved that this story pushes boundaries and reimagines the ideas of womanhood, which is why I’m glad I read it.

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emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Reading “Detransition, Baby” felt important to hear trans voices and experiences. There is so much I don’t know. Many parts of the story were difficult to read. The abuse that Reese experiences yet also describes as increasing her sexual desire, we’re hard not to semi pathologize if I’m being honest. But this was exactly why I wanted to read it, to challenge my thought processes. Reading this I attempted to have an open mind with recognition I may have some unprocessed transphobia. I also do not know what it is like to be a transgender woman. My experience comes from a place of privilege as a white cis gendered woman. The commentary on gender from a transgender perspective was eye opening. There is so much I take for granted as a cisgendered woman, like what it means to be a woman, motherhood, etc. I also recognize I am reading this as someone who identifies as asexual, who can vacillate between sex positive, sex neutral, and sex repulsed. The amount of sex in this book was very uncomfortable for me. There were several moments in which I wanted to stop reading because of the amount of sex. Both my partners heard me talking about how uncomfortable the sex scenes made me, but it felt important enough to keep going and I’m really glad I did. As the book went on there was less and less sex and more story. And with more story there came more Conversations about what it means to be a woman, motherhood, and queerness. While I’m not super happy with the ending of the book it also fits the story. I would’ve liked a little bit more wrapup, however, how it ended felt satisfactory.

I gave Detransition, Baby a 3 star rating mainly because of the amount of sex. Other people I know who have read this have rated it 5 stars and I do agree with their ratings. For me the sex really took away from some of the messaging I wanted to gain from the story. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. Would I put trigger warnings for abuse and sexual content? Absolutely.

Favorite Parts:

The developing relationship between Katrina and Reese is just so heartwarming! The scene at the baby regristy where Katrina goes along with the employee believing Reese is the one pregnant just warms my heart.
Explorations of womanhood, motherhood, and parenthood.
The flashbacks between the past and present.

Enjoyment: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Ending: 4/.5

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