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amjammi's review
2.0
Not really an introductory text? The writing is densely rooted in critical theory and often addresses on-going debates within the trans community and in queer scholarship without much background.
tlaynejones's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.5
Lots of really fascinating ideas and perspectives to consider. This is over all an approachable and interesting little book that discusses different aspects of how we as a society negotiate gender. I found the first couple chapters very readable with easy to understand language, although I found the choice to use Monty Pythons sketches as examples unusual and slightly off putting. Then around chapter 5 the language became almost opaque in specificity and (to me) laden with advanced academic word choices. This issue with the language was not a problem though the whole book though and I am glad to have read this. I would say this is a book to augment an existing and varied study of gender. It’s not a starting place, but just asks some questions that may add nuance to your ongoing understanding.
hannscurlock's review
5.0
I love Jack Halberstam's definition of trans* as a systemic and broad category, as opposed to transgender. While the term transgender has been a helpful term for many to understand themselves better, it is also notoriously known to collapse a wide umbrella of gender variant experiences into a single word—reeking of binary, colonial, and pathologizing discourse. Leading queer theory scholar, Jack Halberstam articulates the wide range of trans* experiences while also highlighting the danger of neoliberal identity politics. I will be coming back to this one regularly for my research.
savshelfinger's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
We must remember that this was written in 2016; methinks Halberstam underestimated the TERFs
Also I do not believe in the bathroom debate as the “afterlife of slavery”……. bruh
Quality and informative read otherwise.
Also I do not believe in the bathroom debate as the “afterlife of slavery”……. bruh
Quality and informative read otherwise.
finnthehuman217's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I love jack halberstam. This book however was slow in the storytelling
yanailedit's review
3.75
Ok, but who thought it would be a good idea to name it "Quick and Quirky"? It's an academic text through and through.
Regardless of its density though, this book has been an incredible read; easily one of the most compelling series of arguments which has unfortunately garnered our "Sports Dad of Queer Theory" an absolute pile of disregard from readers who can't put up with his established-academic-and-he-knows-it tone.
Whether you agree or disagree with him though, I strongly recommend reading this title while paying specific attention to the divide and connections between the old trans* theory guard and the new youth/social-media folks growing up under entirely different circumstances with precious little (and heavily white-washed and censored if any) knowledge of queer history.
Also, be warned of typos... Apparently when you hit a certain level of academic success, you don't get points deducted for presentation.
Regardless of its density though, this book has been an incredible read; easily one of the most compelling series of arguments which has unfortunately garnered our "Sports Dad of Queer Theory" an absolute pile of disregard from readers who can't put up with his established-academic-and-he-knows-it tone.
Whether you agree or disagree with him though, I strongly recommend reading this title while paying specific attention to the divide and connections between the old trans* theory guard and the new youth/social-media folks growing up under entirely different circumstances with precious little (and heavily white-washed and censored if any) knowledge of queer history.
Also, be warned of typos... Apparently when you hit a certain level of academic success, you don't get points deducted for presentation.