A review by miamcmillan
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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 don’t know where to start with this book. the title alone is a masterclass in writing which i only really understood having read the whole thing. this story was so so beautifully written i’m not sure what to do with myself now i’ve finished it. i don’t know if i even like any of the main characters, but i feel such a deep visceral sympathy for them all that i almost love them regardless of whether i like them or not. they’re messy and chaotic and they feel realistic and raw (raw as in absolutely refusing to pander to the comfort of the reader and being human). i personally love the way the plot provides a very complex and deeply thought out insight into motherhood and women; i could read the thoughts and analogies and desires peters puts into reese’s head forever, even if i don’t know if i particularly like reese. i also love how the book refuses to explain itself and doesn’t try to speak for the experiences of all trans women - it’s very clearly about  white trans women, and doesn’t try to pretend it’s not. peters manages to create pieces of stunning writing (like the elephant metaphor for white trans girls) which could have felt a bit out of place but instead are absolutely brilliant. peters’ writing is just absolutely amazing for such an early point in her career. should be read especially by every cis person whether queer or not - it’s not supposed to make you comfortable. i truly truly LOVED reading this - i was especially drawn to katrina and reese’s interactions as characters. the one thing i would say is there is a lot of explicit content of various kinds (which was absolutely necessary in my opinion) but just be careful! i couldn’t put this novel down, it’s just so clever and well written and i want to scream about it from the rooftops forever. i’ve been talking about it to all my mums friends for days it’s just absolutely glorious. new york is perhaps as unglamorous as i’ve ever seen it in a novel and i LOVED that - it feels like a completely different city and it’s beautiful. the whole thing is just gorgeous. please, please read it. 
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