anushka_adishka_diaries's review against another edition
4.0
“Nothing about being pregnant made me feel feminine. This body is what it is: not quite man, not quite woman, but with the parts to create and shape life.”
silasburke's review against another edition
4.0
Mixed feelings on this one! I really related to some of what Krys wrote about transitioning and having some of his big life experiences being treated like surprises or just never coming up because people assumed them not to be an experience of his.
“There are things I miss. Before Michigan, before testosterone, sometimes people in Philadelphia would look at me and Samson and know he was mine, think I made him, and they would call him beautiful. No one says that anymore; now they say ‘you’re such a good dad’ because now they think I am a man and no one thinks men can do anything related to children, least of all make one. . . . Sometimes I miss women, how they loved and accepted me before I took too many steps out of their world. I miss my mother even though she liked me more now, likes this me who has a beard and broad shoulders and who smiles, smiles all the time. But she used think we were the same.”
At the same time, I feel like I see hints of transmisogyny in the idea of being assigned male being the easy way out, etc. Or even in the above quote, the idea of previously being closer to women…when it feels like he’s just talking about cis women probably? Hmm.
Also the section on breasts was kind of hard for me to read! Just a lot of body horror and dysphoria and stuff.
The section at the end of the book with Samson was so sweet though
“There are things I miss. Before Michigan, before testosterone, sometimes people in Philadelphia would look at me and Samson and know he was mine, think I made him, and they would call him beautiful. No one says that anymore; now they say ‘you’re such a good dad’ because now they think I am a man and no one thinks men can do anything related to children, least of all make one. . . . Sometimes I miss women, how they loved and accepted me before I took too many steps out of their world. I miss my mother even though she liked me more now, likes this me who has a beard and broad shoulders and who smiles, smiles all the time. But she used think we were the same.”
At the same time, I feel like I see hints of transmisogyny in the idea of being assigned male being the easy way out, etc. Or even in the above quote, the idea of previously being closer to women…when it feels like he’s just talking about cis women probably? Hmm.
Also the section on breasts was kind of hard for me to read! Just a lot of body horror and dysphoria and stuff.
The section at the end of the book with Samson was so sweet though
mariagarnett's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
erinpoole28's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
A great memoir from a very respectable author. I loved seeing the pieces of west Philly filter through. A thought provoking and lovely piece.
gwensadventure's review against another edition
4.0
I really was drawn in an held by this story. Krys Malcolm Belc takes his story and tells it in a way different than every memoir type book I've read. The way that he uses different documents, quotes and facts as a jumping off point for the narrative of his life is unique and cool and engaging! The variety of topics in this collection of essays is broad from and circles around non-binary and trans parenthood In a fresh new way. I really applaud his vulnerability telling the story of his family.
As a Michiganders, I was particularly interested in his experience in different cities, particularly Marquette. While the story of his family is beautiful and wonderful, their time in Michigan clearly shows some of the hatred that still exists.
I recommend the audiobook--like most memoirs, I found this one felt super meaningful as told by the narrator.
As a Michiganders, I was particularly interested in his experience in different cities, particularly Marquette. While the story of his family is beautiful and wonderful, their time in Michigan clearly shows some of the hatred that still exists.
I recommend the audiobook--like most memoirs, I found this one felt super meaningful as told by the narrator.
jamiee_f's review against another edition
4.0
Through this memoir, Krys Malcolm Belc tells the story of his parallel journeys through gender and parenthood. A combination of essays and documents, this collection captures what it's like to be pregnant as a trans masculine person. Belc struggled to piece together this own gender identity through high school and college, and giving birth to his son helped clarify his understanding of his own gender. This memoir is an exploration of how becoming a parent can impact your relationships, shift your sense of self, and help you become who you really are.
4/5 stars. I enjoy books about motherhood and parenthood, so this was an interesting read. I thought the structure and integration of documents was thoughtful and well done. Would recommend for people looking to learn more about navigating parenthood outside the gender binary.
4/5 stars. I enjoy books about motherhood and parenthood, so this was an interesting read. I thought the structure and integration of documents was thoughtful and well done. Would recommend for people looking to learn more about navigating parenthood outside the gender binary.