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sonyastevens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nualasiobhan333's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
i loved this book recommended by my friend jane. i liked the writing and the stream of consciousness narrative. i thought the ending was a perfect representative of things not going the way we planned - life is as this ending unfinished
limaruku's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what to say about this book. It was an eye opener in the sense that I have never read a book with a trans woman as the main character. And the writing was charming and biting and funny all at the same time.
chiaraesse's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
gailinapail24's review against another edition
4.0
very funny & close to the skin
& lots of delicious gender stuff in here
& lots of delicious gender stuff in here
laura_n_'s review against another edition
slow-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
3.0
brentmpage's review against another edition
4.0
The first “modern” trans novel. Doesn’t try to tell a perfect story, but reveals a genuine character and real struggle.
laalako's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
grumpyreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
📚 Review: This was like a fever dream. I see why people say it was so influential in trans literature and in general - and I loved it. I think it was a great commentary on the individuality of being trans while also being existing as part of a community. This book was a joy to read, though it was definitely sad, but also had a lot of queer and trans and feminist theory. This style and writing isn’t for everyone, but I loved it and this book. It was so relevant when it was written and today, and I can’t wait to revisit it. Nevada was rough, gritty, queer, and powerful. TLDR - gender is a construct.
Some of my favourite quotes:
"I have been trans since I was little.
There is this dumb thing where trans women feel like we all have to prove that we're totally trans as fuck and there's no doubt in our minds that we're Really, Truly Trans. It comes from the fact you have to prove that you're trans to psychologists and doctors: the burden is entirely on your own shoulders to prove that you're Really Trans in order to get any treatment at all.”
“Six years on and it's still weird to be called Miss. Not bad, just like, oh yeah, I guess I did that. Who knows whether that part of being trans ever fades. Probably not. Or more specifically, probably not when you still have to shave, when your junk still gets in the way and makes your clothes fit wrong every morning. It probably doesn't go away until you are rich.”
“She wakes up around four thirty and feels rested. Do other people feel like this all the time? It's fucked up.”
“Because if he's being totally honest with himself, on some level James has already figured out that this girl is trans and while he hasn't processed what that means yet he is having this desperate magnetic attraction to her.
Like not even sexual. Just like, I want to be your Facebook friend or something. I need to grab you, to have you in my life. Whatever.”
“Plus the world has moved on from the narrative that says being trans is something to be avoided at all costs; it's moved on from the narrative that says the only way to be trans is to be young and tiny and pretty and into men and to transition and then disappear. There's a much better understanding of what it means to be trans now: you just are trans. The fact that your transition might not go smoothly because of the shape of your body or the shape of your family or the shape of your personality or the way that your sexuality has been shaped does not mean that therefore you can just decide not to be trans. You can't will it away. Deciding to will it away is a defense mechanism that is inevitably going to fail and you'll be back where you started: trans. Just older and more entrenched in a life that itself is not much more than a coping mechanism designed to keep you from having to be trans in the real world. If you're trans you're trans and if you're obsessed with whether you might be trans you probably are trans.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Alcohol, and Dysphoria