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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
I really didn’t know anything about Bruce Jenner or Caitlyn Jenner before this book so that’s why I decided to listen to this audio CD. This was an interesting book, but after listening to this book I have to say that I don’t like Caitlyn Jenner. She is an entitled bitch.
She played golf in an LGPA tournament and then in the book she talked about playing golf off the women’s tee and the women are ok that she hits the ball really far and that it’s ok to play off these tees. In 2021 she was quoted as saying "This is a question of fairness," she said. "That's why I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls' sports in school. It just isn't fair. And we have to protect girls' sports in our schools." Apparently it’s ok for her to play in women’s sports but not other trans people.
She only cares about herself even though she tries to make you think she worries about others. At one point before she transitioned, she had a tracheae surgery. A tabloid called her about it and she begged them not to say anything because it would ruin her children’s lives. I wanted to say “you don’t care about your children, you only care about yourself”. At this point Keeping up with Kardashians had already been on TV where there were TV cameras all over their house, so I’m pretty sure the tabloids talking about Bruce Jenner’s trachea surgery really wasn’t going to make that big of a deal for the Kardashians.
She played golf in an LGPA tournament and then in the book she talked about playing golf off the women’s tee and the women are ok that she hits the ball really far and that it’s ok to play off these tees. In 2021 she was quoted as saying "This is a question of fairness," she said. "That's why I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls' sports in school. It just isn't fair. And we have to protect girls' sports in our schools." Apparently it’s ok for her to play in women’s sports but not other trans people.
She only cares about herself even though she tries to make you think she worries about others. At one point before she transitioned, she had a tracheae surgery. A tabloid called her about it and she begged them not to say anything because it would ruin her children’s lives. I wanted to say “you don’t care about your children, you only care about yourself”. At this point Keeping up with Kardashians had already been on TV where there were TV cameras all over their house, so I’m pretty sure the tabloids talking about Bruce Jenner’s trachea surgery really wasn’t going to make that big of a deal for the Kardashians.
Good read! After reading this book I am not sure what all the controversy was she never said anything harmful about anyone only her perception.
I am admittingly a fan of all things Kardashian. I have been following Caitlyn’s journey by extension and was one of the first on the library hold list for her new memoir. Reading it, however, was kind of a letdown.
As with her show, I Am Cait this book feels like Cait has the right intentions in mind in a lot of spots but for some reason, it just doesn’t come off as heartfelt or relatable as it could. Caitlyn admits she is privileged financially, that she lived much of her life as a wealthy white male athlete and she mentions the high rates of violence towards trans women of color often in her memoir as well as on her show. That being said it still feels like she’s speaking from an arm’s length away from you. She’s sharing her story about dysphoria, dressing up in women’s clothing in secret and her marriages falling apart. But what she doesn’t do is really dig into those emotions and experiences. There’s not a lot of self-reflection and most importantly responsibility for her actions. I would be upset if I was any of her children the way she shrugs off not being a present parent in their lives.
Cait does seem to be learning a lot and she is open to new ideas but I still see so many of the same characteristics in her as before transition, blaming others and not owning up to her actions. It’s not an enjoyable perspective in a memoir. Beyond that, I was shocked to see the co-writer has written successful books such as Friday Night Lights. While I haven’t read any of Bissinger’s work I would expect a higher level of writing from a best-selling author. The book read like a Hollywood gossip blog at times with abrupt tense and tone changes.
Overall as a memoir, it was absolutely middle of the road. It’s disappointing that someone with such an interesting life and story to tell wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity of a memoir with more depth and self-reflection. It feels more like how she describes her public speaking gigs, simply another thing to put her name on to cash in some checks. I really want to root for Cait but this was a disappointing read.
As with her show, I Am Cait this book feels like Cait has the right intentions in mind in a lot of spots but for some reason, it just doesn’t come off as heartfelt or relatable as it could. Caitlyn admits she is privileged financially, that she lived much of her life as a wealthy white male athlete and she mentions the high rates of violence towards trans women of color often in her memoir as well as on her show. That being said it still feels like she’s speaking from an arm’s length away from you. She’s sharing her story about dysphoria, dressing up in women’s clothing in secret and her marriages falling apart. But what she doesn’t do is really dig into those emotions and experiences. There’s not a lot of self-reflection and most importantly responsibility for her actions. I would be upset if I was any of her children the way she shrugs off not being a present parent in their lives.
Cait does seem to be learning a lot and she is open to new ideas but I still see so many of the same characteristics in her as before transition, blaming others and not owning up to her actions. It’s not an enjoyable perspective in a memoir. Beyond that, I was shocked to see the co-writer has written successful books such as Friday Night Lights. While I haven’t read any of Bissinger’s work I would expect a higher level of writing from a best-selling author. The book read like a Hollywood gossip blog at times with abrupt tense and tone changes.
Overall as a memoir, it was absolutely middle of the road. It’s disappointing that someone with such an interesting life and story to tell wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity of a memoir with more depth and self-reflection. It feels more like how she describes her public speaking gigs, simply another thing to put her name on to cash in some checks. I really want to root for Cait but this was a disappointing read.
I was so conflicted when I heard that this was coming out because I really do not know how I feel about Caitlyn Jenner. On one hand, I am fascinated by her story, on the other I hate what she stands for politically and judge her because of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians".
The entire time that I was reading this book, I went back and forth being empathetic and annoyed. Empathetic because I cannot imagine the way she felt as Bruce knowing that she was not her true self, and annoyed because parts of the book felt like she was very ungrateful for living as a celebrity and being afforded many things that "normal" people would never be able to have. I was annoyed by the fact that she was able to get her surgeries and transition so quickly with the best plastic surgeons, knowing that the vast majority of trans people struggle to come up with the cash to be in the body and gender that they identify with through surgery.
I was also annoyed with myself because I was judging her for being rich and being able to do these things without financial burden, when she did earn her own money. I understand why some members of the Trans community do not like her as they think that she does not represent the vast majority, but I also empathize with Caitlyn because I do think that the advocate work she does is from a good place. I think a lot of my bias comes from "Keeping Up with the Kardashians"and her political views and her "former" opinion on gay marriage.
Overall, I am happy that I took the time to read Caitlyn's story. While some parts seem whiny and self-loathing, other parts are understandable and heartbreaking. I hope that her strength and courage help young people struggling with gender dysphoria to at least talk with a counselor or someone who can help them. At a time when hate crimes against Trans people occur at a very high rate and some of people immediately judge or dismiss Trans individuals, I think that it is crucial for there to be a voice for the community. With individuals like Candis Cayne, Jenny Boylan, Laverne Cox, Jamie Clayton, and Caitlyn Jenner becoming household names, I am hopeful that Trans people will continue to gain the love and acceptance that they and all human beings deserve.
The entire time that I was reading this book, I went back and forth being empathetic and annoyed. Empathetic because I cannot imagine the way she felt as Bruce knowing that she was not her true self, and annoyed because parts of the book felt like she was very ungrateful for living as a celebrity and being afforded many things that "normal" people would never be able to have. I was annoyed by the fact that she was able to get her surgeries and transition so quickly with the best plastic surgeons, knowing that the vast majority of trans people struggle to come up with the cash to be in the body and gender that they identify with through surgery.
I was also annoyed with myself because I was judging her for being rich and being able to do these things without financial burden, when she did earn her own money. I understand why some members of the Trans community do not like her as they think that she does not represent the vast majority, but I also empathize with Caitlyn because I do think that the advocate work she does is from a good place. I think a lot of my bias comes from "Keeping Up with the Kardashians"and her political views and her "former" opinion on gay marriage.
Overall, I am happy that I took the time to read Caitlyn's story. While some parts seem whiny and self-loathing, other parts are understandable and heartbreaking. I hope that her strength and courage help young people struggling with gender dysphoria to at least talk with a counselor or someone who can help them. At a time when hate crimes against Trans people occur at a very high rate and some of people immediately judge or dismiss Trans individuals, I think that it is crucial for there to be a voice for the community. With individuals like Candis Cayne, Jenny Boylan, Laverne Cox, Jamie Clayton, and Caitlyn Jenner becoming household names, I am hopeful that Trans people will continue to gain the love and acceptance that they and all human beings deserve.
"My authentic self."
"My authentic self" are words that Caitlyn Jenner repeats over and over throughout this book and it's easy to see that she has sacrificed everything else in her life—her wives, her children, her gold medal, her athletic achievements—to "my authentic self." This is undoubtedly the idol of her life and she has sacrificed everything to that idol, no matter the consequences.
Most troubling to me is Ms. Jenner's self-admittedly poor parenting. She abandons her first four children when she marries Kris Kardashian, missing their birthdays and basically not being in their lives at all. Ms. Jenner gives various possible reasons for this, and admirably blames herself, but if quotes from her son who is on some reality television show are any proof, she has not gotten any better at being a parent since she was divorced from Mrs. Kardashian and changed herself into a woman.
This is all sad and troubling. Her children support her when she interviews with Diane Sawyer and reveals that she has always wrestled with being transgender. Her children—as she herself admits—are much less thrilled when she poses on the cover of Vanity Fair as a woman.
This book is tiresome, Ms. Jenner seems to delight in describing her various attempts to dress and act like a woman to a degree which gets dull, boring, and unnecessary, unless her motive is to slap all of her readers in the face with her new found "authentic self," which on further thought it seems to be.
One wonders how her life would have been different if, rather than bow at the altar of her "authentic self," she would have sacrificed her own desires in order to be the parent that she should have been to her own children, or maybe even the husband she should have been to her first (or second) (or third) loving wife. This thought doesn't seem to cross Ms. Jenner's mind because she is too busy chasing her "authentic self."
"My authentic self" are words that Caitlyn Jenner repeats over and over throughout this book and it's easy to see that she has sacrificed everything else in her life—her wives, her children, her gold medal, her athletic achievements—to "my authentic self." This is undoubtedly the idol of her life and she has sacrificed everything to that idol, no matter the consequences.
Most troubling to me is Ms. Jenner's self-admittedly poor parenting. She abandons her first four children when she marries Kris Kardashian, missing their birthdays and basically not being in their lives at all. Ms. Jenner gives various possible reasons for this, and admirably blames herself, but if quotes from her son who is on some reality television show are any proof, she has not gotten any better at being a parent since she was divorced from Mrs. Kardashian and changed herself into a woman.
This is all sad and troubling. Her children support her when she interviews with Diane Sawyer and reveals that she has always wrestled with being transgender. Her children—as she herself admits—are much less thrilled when she poses on the cover of Vanity Fair as a woman.
This book is tiresome, Ms. Jenner seems to delight in describing her various attempts to dress and act like a woman to a degree which gets dull, boring, and unnecessary, unless her motive is to slap all of her readers in the face with her new found "authentic self," which on further thought it seems to be.
One wonders how her life would have been different if, rather than bow at the altar of her "authentic self," she would have sacrificed her own desires in order to be the parent that she should have been to her own children, or maybe even the husband she should have been to her first (or second) (or third) loving wife. This thought doesn't seem to cross Ms. Jenner's mind because she is too busy chasing her "authentic self."
I've been wanting to read this for a while.
I have mixed feelings.
I did like the book. I liked the jumps in time, and it was pretty well written, and I felt like Caitlyn told her truth and I thought it was interesting to hear about her life and struggles etc.
What bothers me a bit doesn't really have to do with the book, but more with some of her actions since the book was published. Some of Caitlins actions just don't align with being a person who is respectful of other LGTBQ+ people, and specifically other Trans people. AKA, lashing out against other public trans women on social media and such. Politically some of the stuff she has said doesn't make sense to me either. And that doesn't sit well for me.
Honestly though, that's what made me want to read this book more. I wanted to hear what Caitlyn had to say in general. And ahe addressed some of it in the book, and i even felt like it was well/respectfully said, she just didnt really stick to some of it in her actions in the past few years.
Even though I don't agree with some of her actions, I do respect her story, and all of the intimate details she shared from her life did make for an interesting read. It felt to me as if she was being real and I appreciated that. I also appreciated she spilt the tea on Kris Jenner a bit too.
I have mixed feelings.
I did like the book. I liked the jumps in time, and it was pretty well written, and I felt like Caitlyn told her truth and I thought it was interesting to hear about her life and struggles etc.
What bothers me a bit doesn't really have to do with the book, but more with some of her actions since the book was published. Some of Caitlins actions just don't align with being a person who is respectful of other LGTBQ+ people, and specifically other Trans people. AKA, lashing out against other public trans women on social media and such. Politically some of the stuff she has said doesn't make sense to me either. And that doesn't sit well for me.
Honestly though, that's what made me want to read this book more. I wanted to hear what Caitlyn had to say in general. And ahe addressed some of it in the book, and i even felt like it was well/respectfully said, she just didnt really stick to some of it in her actions in the past few years.
Even though I don't agree with some of her actions, I do respect her story, and all of the intimate details she shared from her life did make for an interesting read. It felt to me as if she was being real and I appreciated that. I also appreciated she spilt the tea on Kris Jenner a bit too.
Secrets of my life = things you could read on people magazine, but written in no particular order and with bad grammar.
The paparazzi always lies = actually true things but the affected party does not want the public to know.
I was hoping for more out of this book. As an LGBTQ activist, I didn’t feel it really addressed that topic much.
The paparazzi always lies = actually true things but the affected party does not want the public to know.
I was hoping for more out of this book. As an LGBTQ activist, I didn’t feel it really addressed that topic much.
You do feel like you're listening to Caitlyn tell her life story although it's through an editor and additional writer that you're getting this story. I can connect with so many things that Caitlyn went through, including feeling aimless(especially with going after musical instruments) and also with being tired of not being oneself. Everyone can have their issues with her, we're all human but as a scapegoat, it's rather too easy and shows how people would rather step over Cait as opposed to treating her like any other human being. The only thing that did surprise me a little bit was her talking about her own views and not being apologetic, although why should she not be herself? If there's anything for me to add, it's that I don't take as long as she did to come out and be me. Not just be me, but be ME. Spread your wings, Cait. Brush off all the haters and fly high. It's a wonderful book. And no, it doesn't bother me that she's not like other trans writers, because she's not a Kate Bornstein. She's Caitlyn Marie jenner and much like anyone else, including me, we all have our learning curves and the path upon which we learn.
Update: Based on what she has said in the last few years, I think Caitlyn has thrown the trans community under the bus and because of that, she has lost my respect. Much like JK Rowling with her issues, Cait needs therapy that she probably won't get.
Update: Based on what she has said in the last few years, I think Caitlyn has thrown the trans community under the bus and because of that, she has lost my respect. Much like JK Rowling with her issues, Cait needs therapy that she probably won't get.
emotional
adventurous
informative
medium-paced