Scan barcode
A review by balladofreadingqueer
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. It’s fast paced, gripping storyline drew me in from the first chapter. It centres on Reese (a white trans woman), Ames/Amy (a white detransitioned man) and Katrina (A cis mixed race Asian American woman).
The chapters jump along different timelines so it can sometimes be difficult to follow exactly what is happening but it also allows you to get into the stories and experiences of the characters.
The central plot is that Ames has gotten Katrina pregnant, when he didn’t think he could due to hormonal treatment when he transitioned. He asks his ex-girlfriend Reese, who really wants a child to be a co-parent with them.
The story explores gender, gender roles and what families can look like. It also discusses the difficulties and joys of being a transwoman from the perspective of Reese and Ames/Amy.
The story ends in an unexpected way with little/limited resolution. This was initially frustrating as I wanted to know what happened but it made me think about the book and characters more to decide what they would have chosen in the end.
Also this book is funny and relatively lighthearted even though it covers suicide, attempted-suicide, familial rejection, and domestic violence.
The chapters jump along different timelines so it can sometimes be difficult to follow exactly what is happening but it also allows you to get into the stories and experiences of the characters.
The central plot is that Ames has gotten Katrina pregnant, when he didn’t think he could due to hormonal treatment when he transitioned. He asks his ex-girlfriend Reese, who really wants a child to be a co-parent with them.
The story explores gender, gender roles and what families can look like. It also discusses the difficulties and joys of being a transwoman from the perspective of Reese and Ames/Amy.
The story ends in an unexpected way with little/limited resolution. This was initially frustrating as I wanted to know what happened but it made me think about the book and characters more to decide what they would have chosen in the end.
Also this book is funny and relatively lighthearted even though it covers suicide, attempted-suicide, familial rejection, and domestic violence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse