A review by softstarrynights
The Masker by Torrey Peters

3.0

After reading Detransition, Baby earlier this year I was eager to read more of Torrey Peters' writing. <>The Masker is around 60 pages, and I can't describe it any better than the blurb does. For only 60 pages it felt more like 120, not because it dragged or was boring in any way but rather the quality of the writing. The story is so full of plot, and characterization, and exploration of ideas that I struggle to believe how Peters managed to fit it all into such a small page count. Published five years prior to Detransition, Baby it is especially interesting to see the inception of some themes and motifs that feature in that novel. There are a couple of illustrations that match the style of the cover within the book. Personally, this is not an art style I enjoy. In fact, I find the cover image especially offputting, but then maybe that is the point. As a result, the added illustrations did not appeal to me, but I'm sure there a plenty of readers who will love them, and appreciate them a lot more than I do. Overall, The Masker is very well-written, and a fascinating exploration of feminization, gender, sexuality, and how these themes intersect. It reminded me of why I loved Detransition, Baby, and makes it excited about Peters' future.