A review by bookedandbusywithmrc
Woodworking by Emily St. James

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and then some)
I picked up Woodworking during the North of Boston Indie Bookstore Trail and had no idea just how much this book would wreck me and heal me in equal measure.
This stunning debut follows Erica Skyberg, a recently divorced 35-year-old who hasn’t told anyone she’s trans, and Abigail Hawkes, a sharp, politically vocal 17-year-old who is the Only Trans Girl in their conservative South Dakota town. The story switches between Abigail’s bold, raw first-person voice and Erica’s more cautious, observant third-person perspective—and the result is nothing short of masterful.
There’s a moment early on where Abigail describes how hated and out-of-place she feels, and I genuinely had to pause. As a gay man who grew up in a religious, hetero-dominated world, that ache hit way too close to home.
One of the most powerful creative choices: whenever Erica’s deadname is used—whether by mistake or malice—it’s completely blacked out in the text. It’s such a simple, visual reminder of how identity and respect are intertwined. I felt myself flinch each time it happened, desperate for her to be seen and named for who she is.
There’s a scene in a bar that had me tearing up from secondhand embarrassment, anxiety, and empathy. The emotional range in this book is unbelievable—and yet, it’s also hilarious in all the best ways. The banter between Erica and Abigail? Iconic. I could absolutely see myself and my friends trading the same kind of snarky, heartfelt lines.
The family dynamics, the small-town tension, the exhaustion of constantly having to explain your existence, the radical joy of being yourself anyway… it’s all here. There’s one chapter (you’ll know the one) that left me breathless—just pure awe.
Emily St. James doesn’t just write about identity—she illuminates it. With a genius blend of perspectives and a deep emotional core, Woodworking isn’t just a trans story. It’s a human one.
Highly recommend this for anyone craving something real, raw, and unexpectedly healing.
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