Scan barcode
ev1's review against another edition
3.0
a fascinating read. whilst i think this will be difficult for some people to get through, and even more-so for most to discuss, i'm glad that it exists.
morris mixes gorgeous prose with some very questionable ideas regarding gender, race and class. i'm not going to touch on the topic of whether this is 'good representation' because i think that's a juvenile, liberal discussion. this book, rather, focuses on the more important discussion of liberation which many conversations surrounding identity could do well to adjust to.
i don't particularly love jan's narrative voice which did make this, especially the parts that didn't age so well, a little eye-rolly. one part i find seldom discussed is where jan muses on how her writing on people far excels her writing on place since 'transitioning' which i couldn't disagree with more. the most enjoyable parts of this memoir are the glimmering, glittering fragments describing places and experiences. the lowest points are her attempts at musing on the condition of others.
i'm really glad to have read this. some lines i will return to for the rest of my life, others i have undoubtedly already scrubbed from my mind.
morris mixes gorgeous prose with some very questionable ideas regarding gender, race and class. i'm not going to touch on the topic of whether this is 'good representation' because i think that's a juvenile, liberal discussion. this book, rather, focuses on the more important discussion of liberation which many conversations surrounding identity could do well to adjust to.
i don't particularly love jan's narrative voice which did make this, especially the parts that didn't age so well, a little eye-rolly. one part i find seldom discussed is where jan muses on how her writing on people far excels her writing on place since 'transitioning' which i couldn't disagree with more. the most enjoyable parts of this memoir are the glimmering, glittering fragments describing places and experiences. the lowest points are her attempts at musing on the condition of others.
i'm really glad to have read this. some lines i will return to for the rest of my life, others i have undoubtedly already scrubbed from my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
An extraordinary memoir. Beautifully written. Insightful, engaging, and, I was pleased to discover, not prurient or sensational.
I hope to become a better and more educated ally, and this book gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the trans journey.
I hope to become a better and more educated ally, and this book gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the trans journey.
cypriaturge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
eriynali's review against another edition
4.0
moving and interesting snapshot of its time
there were several sexist and racist mentions, but all of them slightly veiled in (slowly) increasing tolerance and acceptance. really well written and well thought out
there were several sexist and racist mentions, but all of them slightly veiled in (slowly) increasing tolerance and acceptance. really well written and well thought out
sam_hildebrandt's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely recommend! Jan is fantastic and writes so eloquently. I was completely transported into her mind and conscious thought during pivotal and mundane moments of her life. This book is timeless since LGBTQIA rights are still, after all this time, being questioned and restricted.
catrionaturnerbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
A complicated reading experience! Her account of discovering her transgender status and navigating it as she grew up is compelling, albeit class-bound. It’s fascinating to read her explanation of the difference between sex and gender, obvious to her from a young age and in a very different time. The honesty of the narrative is endearing.
What’s harder to read in 2024 is the way she accepts the inferiority of her status as a woman with no critique at all. The book was published in the seventies, but I would say she has internalised values from an earlier time still. Understandable, but alongside the privileged (post-) colonial context that shapes a lot of her perspective, there were a lot of uncomfortable passages.
But I still think this book should be widely read for its valuable insights.
What’s harder to read in 2024 is the way she accepts the inferiority of her status as a woman with no critique at all. The book was published in the seventies, but I would say she has internalised values from an earlier time still. Understandable, but alongside the privileged (post-) colonial context that shapes a lot of her perspective, there were a lot of uncomfortable passages.
But I still think this book should be widely read for its valuable insights.
_bydbach_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0