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megkoz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
One of the more entertaining and down to earth trans memoirs I’ve read, and one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to.
Content Warnings
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
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
chainingbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
bookishmillennial's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Drug use
caseythereader's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Thanks to The Dial Press for the free copy of this book.
- 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.
- 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Transphobia, Colonisation, Bullying, Racism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Drug use
bandysbooks's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
It's always hard to rate memoirs because it is someone's personal experience and how do you really judge one's life? That said, Horse Barbie made it easy for me. This memoir follows Geena Rocero through her years as a Trans Beauty Pageant Queen in the Philippines through her experiences modeling in the United States. This was emotional, informative, and quite interesting. Really, it has a bit of everything that you'd want in a memoir.
I will say that there were some moments in this book that were very hard to read, but they are meant to be that way. When Geena is trapped into hiding her identity by the fear of losing her career, it feels like a gut punch. You want her to be able to be open and honest about who she is, but you also understand the risks that come with that honesty. Its heartbreaking and frustrating.
I also really loved the way that this book compared perspectives on Trans people in The Philippines versus in the United States. It was interesting that in The Philippines there was no legal recourse for gender or identity changes, but generally there is social acceptance where as in the US, there is legal recognition, but existing comes with the potential of physical danger, loss of jobs, and discrimination. We often think of the US as quite progressive, but this really highlighted how in a lot of ways we're still quite far behind.
And I loved the representation of Filipino culture in this book too. I grew up in a predominantly Filipino neighborhood in the States, so for me elements of this book reminded me a bit of home. In particular, I love the discussion of the role of Catholicism alongside Trans acceptance culturally. The discussion of beauty pageants as a national sport was also amusing/interesting.
All in all, if you want a look inside the world of modeling and pageantry, deep understanding of one individual Trans experience, and a bit of Filipino culture, you'll likely find this book enjoyable. Rocero is an excellent speaker and storyteller and her voice makes this a very enjoyable memoir.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Geena Rocero, and Random House for the E-ARC of this book. Reception of an ARC in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
I will say that there were some moments in this book that were very hard to read, but they are meant to be that way. When Geena is trapped into hiding her identity by the fear of losing her career, it feels like a gut punch. You want her to be able to be open and honest about who she is, but you also understand the risks that come with that honesty. Its heartbreaking and frustrating.
I also really loved the way that this book compared perspectives on Trans people in The Philippines versus in the United States. It was interesting that in The Philippines there was no legal recourse for gender or identity changes, but generally there is social acceptance where as in the US, there is legal recognition, but existing comes with the potential of physical danger, loss of jobs, and discrimination. We often think of the US as quite progressive, but this really highlighted how in a lot of ways we're still quite far behind.
And I loved the representation of Filipino culture in this book too. I grew up in a predominantly Filipino neighborhood in the States, so for me elements of this book reminded me a bit of home. In particular, I love the discussion of the role of Catholicism alongside Trans acceptance culturally. The discussion of beauty pageants as a national sport was also amusing/interesting.
All in all, if you want a look inside the world of modeling and pageantry, deep understanding of one individual Trans experience, and a bit of Filipino culture, you'll likely find this book enjoyable. Rocero is an excellent speaker and storyteller and her voice makes this a very enjoyable memoir.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Geena Rocero, and Random House for the E-ARC of this book. Reception of an ARC in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Additional Trigger Warning: Not sure exactly how to phrase this, but a large portion of this book deals with Rocero having to hide her Trans identity.
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