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auralace's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Hard read at times given the topic, but 100% worth it
matterofact's review against another edition
5.0
Just an utterly brilliant summary of issues facing trans people, particularly in Britain. If you want to find out why it’s such a hotly debated issue in the UK at the moment, read this. It will make you realise how needless all this transphobia really is. And it might make you reconsider your views on gender entirely. Highly recommend.
emi_dilli's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite books this year. It is potentially the most progressive, holistic, intersectional text of the decade. Shon Faye is an incredible, powerful writer. She draws on emotive and pertinent experiences and writings of others throughout the book; she really builds a community of trans narratives and lived experiences in her work. I have about twenty further books to read after poring through all her citations!
Shon Faye’s writing is nuanced, fantastically researched, and above all hopeful. She promotes tremendous euphoria in trans voices that brings optimism to the reality of the hardships trans people experience. The final line of the conclusion really sums up her joy in her community and hope for the future:
“That is why some people hate us: they are frightened by the gleaming opulence of our freedom. Our existence enriches this world.”
Shon Faye’s writing is nuanced, fantastically researched, and above all hopeful. She promotes tremendous euphoria in trans voices that brings optimism to the reality of the hardships trans people experience. The final line of the conclusion really sums up her joy in her community and hope for the future:
“That is why some people hate us: they are frightened by the gleaming opulence of our freedom. Our existence enriches this world.”
p3achie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Loved this read. Love Shon Faye.
maggie_blakeney's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
You’d never think it from the mainstream media, but transgender people make up less than 1% of the UK population and, far from being highly vocal ‘bullies’, most of them are working class people, living quietly, hoping no-one will pick on them.
Shon Faye’s book is the perfect reccommendation for any friends who genuinely fear that equality for transgender people will erode women’s rights. Faye calls this out as the old ‘divide and rule’ tactic and identifies the common enemy as capitalism, which, despite the shiny rainbow merchandise and sponsorship of LGBT+ events, profits from keeping resources such as social care and housing in the hands of the privileged few.
I found the final chapter, about trans-exclusionary feminism, particularly depressing. I feel particularly uncomfortable with professional ‘feminists’ who make a living out of oppressing others, but I guess, where there’s muck, there’s brass. In my view, a feminist is someone who belives in equal rights for all, which must include all women, regardless of how you personally define the word.
Faye’s solution, kept till the conclusion, is to vote Labour. I wish I shared her optimism. However, don’t let this put you off if you don’t support the Labour Party – I think this book could be eye-opening for many.
Shon Faye’s book is the perfect reccommendation for any friends who genuinely fear that equality for transgender people will erode women’s rights. Faye calls this out as the old ‘divide and rule’ tactic and identifies the common enemy as capitalism, which, despite the shiny rainbow merchandise and sponsorship of LGBT+ events, profits from keeping resources such as social care and housing in the hands of the privileged few.
I found the final chapter, about trans-exclusionary feminism, particularly depressing. I feel particularly uncomfortable with professional ‘feminists’ who make a living out of oppressing others, but I guess, where there’s muck, there’s brass. In my view, a feminist is someone who belives in equal rights for all, which must include all women, regardless of how you personally define the word.
Faye’s solution, kept till the conclusion, is to vote Labour. I wish I shared her optimism. However, don’t let this put you off if you don’t support the Labour Party – I think this book could be eye-opening for many.