A review by helendipietro
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Detransition, Baby is the smartest novel I have read in a long time; I learnt so much from reading about the different experiences of the three main characters in this story. They are messy and explored deeply which made this book so immersive and vulnerable. Reese, Amy (Ames) and Katrina are brought together by an unexpected situation in which they’ll consider raising a child together – a co-parenting opportunity. It is a complicated look into what it means to be a woman, mother-daughter relationships and being Trans. Torrey Peters manages to be truly cut throat and deep while also conveying emotion, compassion and wit. 

Gender dynamics and roles play such a huge part in people’s lives and identities. The description of Ames who used ‘masculinity as a defensive cocoon’ really portrayed how one can mentally switch gender roles making it such a complicated concept. There were many phrases in the book such as ‘longing for cis-passibility’ which opened my eyes to an experience different from my own. 

However, there are so many parts in the book that were just so funny, witty and relatable. I have fallen in love with the way that Peters writes. 
  • ‘Danny was a good boyfriend to have, when I was younger… like in the same way that a Saint Bernard would be a good dog to have if you were lost in the mountains. A big amiable body that a girl could shelter behind.’
  • ‘My marriage was like a push-up bra: It looked pretty good…but you know it’s all padding and by the end of the day you can’t wait to take the damn thing off.’ 

I knew early on that this was going to be a strong 5-star read and I’m surprised that it didn’t get shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021. I will definitely be coming back to read this one again – exceptional! 

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