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kitchenbeat10's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was such an informative and interesting read. The perspective of a transwoman who succeeded as a model and understanding the struggles she went through was enlightening. What interested me the most was her process of decolonising her mindset from what she grew up hearing and absorbing. It's something I relate to. I didn't like the writing at times, but I still appreciated the audiobook being delivered by the author herself.
littleredmacks's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book was raw and vulnerable and so worth it.
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Body shaming, Death, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Outing, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
friendofhayley's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Really liked this memoir. Inspiring!
bisexualbookshelf's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
"Horse Barbie" is a profoundly impactful memoir by Geena Rocero, a trans Filipina pageant star, offering a poignant exploration of femininity, identity, and resilience in the face of oppression. Rocero's narrative is a powerful testament to the challenges and triumphs of navigating the intersections of gender, race, and colonial history.
Throughout the memoir, Rocero fearlessly delves into the complexities of feminization, shedding light on the relentless pressure to conform to narrow standards of beauty and gender expression. Her candid reflections on the fear of being "clocked" are extremely poignant, offering insight into the lived experiences of trans individuals, particularly transfemmes, in society.
Against the backdrop of the American modeling industry, Rocero unveils the insidious forces of white supremacy, beauty standards, colorism, and transphobia, illuminating the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. Her unwavering commitment to anticolonial and decolonial themes underscores the importance of reclaiming and celebrating trans Filipina heritage.
Central to Rocero's narrative is the theme of chosen family and solidarity within the trans community, highlighting the transformative power of support and collective action. Her portrayal of trans joy and resilience amidst adversity serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for readers grappling with their own identities and struggles.
Rocero's voice is both intimate and inviting, infused with moments of humor and levity that balance the weight of the narrative. Her journey as an immigrant navigating the complexities of identity and assimilation in America offers a nuanced perspective on the intersectionality of gender and migration.
"Horse Barbie" is not merely a memoir; it is a manifesto of trans empowerment and liberation, challenging societal norms and reclaiming agency over one's identity. Rocero's unwavering commitment to self-love and acceptance serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and beauty inherent in trans existence.
As Rocero eloquently states, "trans joy can never be fully extinguished," and "Horse Barbie" is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and determination within the trans community. Through her courageous storytelling, Rocero invites readers to reimagine their own histories and embrace their authentic selves with pride and confidence. "Horse Barbie" is a transformative and essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of gender, identity, and the power of self-affirmation. Geena Rocero's memoir is a triumph of trans resilience and joy, and I hope you’ll pick up a copy today.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Trans Liberation, Critics of Gender Norms & Roles, Supporters of Intersectional Feminism, Advocates of Decolonialism.
🔑 Key Themes: Trans Empowerment, Decolonization of Beauty Standards, Chosen Family and Community Support, Immigrant Experience and Identity, Resilience and Self-Love, Intersectionality and Solidarity, Reclaiming Trans Joy and Agency.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Transphobia, and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Mental illness
libraryalissa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
anneyay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
courtofsmutandstuff's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this, and highly recommend it, especially for people who like memoir.
I wasn't familiar with Rocero before her book, and it works well without prior knowledge of the author. She tells her whole life story, with a lot of focus on her professional experience (beauty pagents, modeling, and activism), but there is a lot of focus on her time as a stealth model, and the mental and emotional duress she experiences by staying in the closet. There are absolutely moments of joy and I love how she spends time talking about her friendships (and later in the book her most important relationships). She also does an excellent job reading the audiobook, and I liked the moments where there were sound effects (primarily camera shutters).
I wasn't familiar with Rocero before her book, and it works well without prior knowledge of the author. She tells her whole life story, with a lot of focus on her professional experience (beauty pagents, modeling, and activism), but there is a lot of focus on her time as a stealth model, and the mental and emotional duress she experiences by staying in the closet. There are absolutely moments of joy and I love how she spends time talking about her friendships (and later in the book her most important relationships). She also does an excellent job reading the audiobook, and I liked the moments where there were sound effects (primarily camera shutters).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Death of parent
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
4.0
I won’t be doing a long review because I don’t do that for memoirs(unless they’re phenomenal or terrible), but I will say that the storytelling was engaging and I liked how Rocero detailed the differences in trans culture in the USA and the Philippines. I also loved the photos at the end of all the pageants, it was nice to assign images to different segments and faces to the names mentioned!
My only gripes were that the ending segments felt a little rushed, sometimes it felt repetitive, and I thought some momentum was lost towards the middle. Easily, the strongest part of the novel was the first segment! Geena’s backgrounds as a Christian, transgender woman(originally growing up being registered as, mostly, a “femme boy”), and Filipina had equal importance in different parts of her journey and I liked how she used that to talk about her upbringing(and also growing into her female self).
While not perfect IMO, I’d still recommend checking this out, it’s an interesting read!
My only gripes were that the ending segments felt a little rushed, sometimes it felt repetitive, and I thought some momentum was lost towards the middle. Easily, the strongest part of the novel was the first segment! Geena’s backgrounds as a Christian, transgender woman(originally growing up being registered as, mostly, a “femme boy”), and Filipina had equal importance in different parts of her journey and I liked how she used that to talk about her upbringing(and also growing into her female self).
While not perfect IMO, I’d still recommend checking this out, it’s an interesting read!