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corsetedfeminist's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I found this book somewhat disappointing as a whole, perhaps because I expected too much of a collection of short stories focused on body horror and the transgender/nonbinary experience.
First, for the good things: when the stories in this book are good, they are excellent. Two in particular properly unnerved and stuck with me- that of a monk impregnated and forcibly feminized by a succubus, and that of a pastor’s wife struggling with gender and the expectations of womanhood in a very queered Stepford wives.
That being said, many of the stories just didn’t resonate with me- much of the prose across these stories leaned a bit purple for me, focusing too much on the imagery and the words than the reality of the body horror and the connection to the queer experience. They felt detached, almost. Perhaps it is that there isn’t time in a short story to learn to love the characters in the same way, I’m not certain. I can absolutely see these stories being very meaningful for a different person, it just didn’t work for me.
First, for the good things: when the stories in this book are good, they are excellent. Two in particular properly unnerved and stuck with me- that of a monk impregnated and forcibly feminized by a succubus, and that of a pastor’s wife struggling with gender and the expectations of womanhood in a very queered Stepford wives.
That being said, many of the stories just didn’t resonate with me- much of the prose across these stories leaned a bit purple for me, focusing too much on the imagery and the words than the reality of the body horror and the connection to the queer experience. They felt detached, almost. Perhaps it is that there isn’t time in a short story to learn to love the characters in the same way, I’m not certain. I can absolutely see these stories being very meaningful for a different person, it just didn’t work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
thearchivist03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book by trans authors is an excellent blend of the experience and body horror to describe the trans experience. If you want to know more about dysphoria and how trans people live their lives, this gives a fictional but really well written emotional accounts of this cast of characters. The poetry in here is beautiful, especially 'Gender Envy' by Gabriel Valentine. I think the artwork can be a bit distracting at times however because I'd personally rather just read the stories without visual input. I label this as challenging though because of the topics. It will take some time to read because it's grotesque or the thoughts and violence are overwhelming, so take your time when reading this one. Still, it's worth it, and I left feeling empowered and understood as a trans person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Abandonment
All of these works are not straightforward and are creative, which may take away from the interpretation of the story if you're not trans. Still, I invite you as a trans person to read this for the writing itself is beautiful and interesting to dissect and take apart. This isn't light reading, but it does leave you different after reading.