Reviews

The Masker by Sybil Lamb, Torrey Peters

mistermistoffelees's review

reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

leadpal's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

wendell's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

4.25

This was so good, and so much packed into a really short read. Really dark and erotic, a little scary, strong through line of haunting sadness especially at the end.

nathanielfeeley's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

4.75

grace_tokarski's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

maybeams's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

leeeeeeeeeeeeee's review

challenging dark emotional funny

5.0

silodear's review against another edition

4.0

Really really smart.

apawney97's review against another edition

4.0

In preparation for Peters' Detransition Baby, I thought I would read her novellas so that I could get a feel for her writing style. This slim novel deals with the internal conflict which lies deeply-seated within a young girl - wanting to be sexually objectified and subdued by a male other as a 'sissy boy' on one hand and to come to terms with her destiny; transitioning into a full-fledged woman. It almost reads like a parable of sorts since Krys, our protagonist, meets two characters who exemplify these opposing paths. Her internal struggle and the choices she makes are very thought-provoking. The backdrop of club, trans and crossdresser life are very nuanced and one can see the rifts which are present within the LGBTQ+ community, especially considering how the trans women look down on the crossdressers as being a half-cooked inferior species - highlighting internalised discrimination within minority groups which should be banding together instead of putting each other down (very relatable with regard to the gay community and society as a whole, really). Krys tries to come of age and find her true self but her will and destiny are continuously worked and reworked by those around her. The mask motif is very multilayered and can be read both on a literal and symbolic level as in reality we all wear our masks on a daily basis, always treading lightly so as to be liked by our peers. The influence of social media and the construction of an online persona is also pertinent with regard to this 'mask ' theme. Overall, this book has given me a viewpoint which to this point has been lacking - a lens into the trans community (written by a trailblazing trans authorial voice) and the hardships it takes for one to come into his/her true self. A very contemporarised bildungsroman, if anything else.

This book is available for download on the author's website: https://www.torreypeters.com/ You can either download it for free or contribute via a donation.

softstarrynights's review against another edition

3.0

After reading Detransition, Baby earlier this year I was eager to read more of Torrey Peters' writing. <>The Masker is around 60 pages, and I can't describe it any better than the blurb does. For only 60 pages it felt more like 120, not because it dragged or was boring in any way but rather the quality of the writing. The story is so full of plot, and characterization, and exploration of ideas that I struggle to believe how Peters managed to fit it all into such a small page count. Published five years prior to Detransition, Baby it is especially interesting to see the inception of some themes and motifs that feature in that novel. There are a couple of illustrations that match the style of the cover within the book. Personally, this is not an art style I enjoy. In fact, I find the cover image especially offputting, but then maybe that is the point. As a result, the added illustrations did not appeal to me, but I'm sure there a plenty of readers who will love them, and appreciate them a lot more than I do. Overall, The Masker is very well-written, and a fascinating exploration of feminization, gender, sexuality, and how these themes intersect. It reminded me of why I loved Detransition, Baby, and makes it excited about Peters' future.