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megkoz's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Abortion, Religious bigotry, Grief, Colonisation, Bullying, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Chronic illness and Suicidal thoughts
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
5.0
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
bisexualbookshelf's review
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Transphobia, and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Mental illness
chainingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
whatsamanthadoes's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
amberinpieces's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual content, Medical content, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, Sexism, Vomit, Body shaming, Racism, and Lesbophobia
bookishmillennial's review
This memoir is short and reads as conversational but so well written & I loved Geena’s voice 🩷
Beyond the layered representation we get of Geena’s trans, Filipino & immigrant identities, she also graciously dives into so much more!
Geena touches on religion, colonization, sexuality & orgasms post-surgery, the modeling industry, her body’s response to the suppression she was putting it through, colourism, pageantry, acceptance & affirmation from her parents, and more! I especially enjoyed the way she ruminated on her religion, & sought information on pre-colonial Filipino spirituality. Geena presented the information with curiosity, enthusiasm, & reverence.
I adored this memoir -which is told in a mostly linear fashion, which makes sense for her story- and I thank Geena for her transparency and generosity in sharing this story with us. She describes so many instances of anxiety, stress, & dread as she spent nine years “in the closet” as a trans woman in America during her modeling career. She saw the way past trans models’ careers tanked after they were outed, & she was terrified that at any point, it could be her turn. Yet, she also dissociated by thinking, “it won’t happen to me” or at least, “not yet.” Her body had other plans, which led her to an epiphany of “I must honor my _______” (not trying to spoil it for you haha). I was so proud of the journey that led her to her TED Talk in March 2014.
Another thing I was intrigued by were the ways she discussed the differences in American societal attitudes in 2005, compared to 2014, contrasted with today’s climate. I recognize it’s a dark time in America with book bans, policy continually taking away rights from trans folks, or actively perpetuating harm towards the trans community. However, during these times especially, I think we need to center trans joy too, to show it’s possible, and to remind people that their stories are still being written, and they deserve to be told!
Geena gave us a nuanced memoir full of her own internalized biases, beautiful childhood memories, & so much gratitude & hope.
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Drug use
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
caseythereader's review
4.5
- HORSE BARBIE is such a unique memoir. It's the (unfortunately) rare trans narrative that is full of joy and hope. You can hear Rocero's energy and enthusiasm for her passions and for building the best life for herself (and literally hear it, if you read the audiobook!)
- There is a lot of tough stuff in this book, though. Rocero doesn't fully escape transphobia and misogyny, and the complete reversal of how she is accepted culturally and legally between the Philippines and the U.S. is a lot to swallow. Rocero explores it all with sharp analysis and deep tenderness.
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Transphobia, Colonisation, Bullying, Racism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Drug use