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lbsipes's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed this book. It tells a story about a trans character without coming across like it is supposed to represent the entire trans experience. I like to read queer stories that aren't completely centered around the trauma that comes with being queer (although that is present in this book as well, how could it not be). It was nice to just read about love and loss and mundane things from the perspective of a queer trans woman. I really love Imogen Binnie's writing style as well, it is funny and honest and very detailed. The first 10-ish chapters were a little slow for me for some reason and the end as well. But i really enjoyed the middle????
physiwiz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Went to see I Saw the TV Glow recently and that brought me into the vicinity of this book. This book displays an experience of a trans person in a very genuine and informative light. Maria's dealing with life and how being trans is interacting with the different aspects of life. You see the day to day and I think it is a good perspective to see from. Although Maria's own experience may not be that of everyone else's , she provides a lot of general knowledge for transgenderism that lays decent foundations to look into more as well as more specific knowledge for trans femmes. The book also just ends.. I believe it's to promote completing the journey layed out in your own perspective but loose ends are an interpretive dance so interpret it how you will. My digital copy I had did not like my ereader but I got through it eventually :)
Ty very much L for the recommendation.
Ty very much L for the recommendation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
reidob's review against another edition
4.0
Maria is a mess. She transitioned several years before, but is discovering that although confirming her gender was a vital step to becoming who she wants to be, it did not solve the rest of her life. She is restless and unmotivated, drinks too much, is a lousy girlfriend, and has a dead-end job in a New York City bookstore which she doesn't do very well. Nevada follows her through a time of crisis; I won't go into detail for fear of including spoilers; let's just say that everything is falling apart. Not knowing what to do, Maria takes off on a road trip to see what she can find out in the world to make her feel more complete.
James smokes way too much weed and is stuck working at the Walmart in Star City, Nevada. He has no idea what's going on with his sexual identity; he has desires he can't make sense of, that he has no vocabulary to comprehend. He doesn't think of himself as a woman, but he isn't sure if he's a man, either, and the porn he likes shames and worries him.
The first half of Nevada is all about Maria and her struggles, the second brings the two together, both of them trying to make sense of their lives. It is to Binnie's credit that she does not attempt to give either of them life-altering epiphanies. She allows them to muddle along, talking about the reality of who she is (and he may be) without reaching any conclusions. Still, at the end we have a hopeful feeling that they are both on the way to something better.
Is there a bit of an instructive tone to the way these characters (Maria in particular) talk about being transgender? There is, but for me this only added to the fascination this novel holds for me. Though I have encountered a great deal of trans writing and encountered many trans people, my knowledge of queer theory and how it intersects with feminism is still very limited; I found Binnie's exegesis very helpful and illuminating.
James smokes way too much weed and is stuck working at the Walmart in Star City, Nevada. He has no idea what's going on with his sexual identity; he has desires he can't make sense of, that he has no vocabulary to comprehend. He doesn't think of himself as a woman, but he isn't sure if he's a man, either, and the porn he likes shames and worries him.
The first half of Nevada is all about Maria and her struggles, the second brings the two together, both of them trying to make sense of their lives. It is to Binnie's credit that she does not attempt to give either of them life-altering epiphanies. She allows them to muddle along, talking about the reality of who she is (and he may be) without reaching any conclusions. Still, at the end we have a hopeful feeling that they are both on the way to something better.
Is there a bit of an instructive tone to the way these characters (Maria in particular) talk about being transgender? There is, but for me this only added to the fascination this novel holds for me. Though I have encountered a great deal of trans writing and encountered many trans people, my knowledge of queer theory and how it intersects with feminism is still very limited; I found Binnie's exegesis very helpful and illuminating.
annalbellettierekuyper's review against another edition
5.0
I've been wanting to get this book for several years now as the author has/had generally frequented a messageboard I go to and had mentioned this one. A first, a bit odd to get into but it does get interesting. For me, this novel and Fight Club are about the same except that FC is going upon a male perspective and Nevada, although more trans, is female oriented.I got to the second part of the book and wondered where the hell this part was going.....but I read reviews and found out that the characters were going to meet. What's unfortunate for me is that , while Maria is trying to help James, James is not quite ready to help himself and so be it. Can't save them all.
eliellis's review against another edition
4.0
Read it in a day and a half, loved the fast-paced, Michelle Tea-esque style of her writing. Could have gone w/o the transguy bashing particularly bc despite being a transguy, I found many of her descriptions of being trans in the world to really resonate with me. And I don't know how I felt about the turn at the end, I enjoyed the New York stuff better, but I'm so fucking grateful this book exists.
tessrc's review against another edition
3.75
This one goes down easy, and then doesn’t sit well in the stomach. The voices are clear and funny and authentic, ringing clearly off the page. The events are bummers but relatable bummers, very tied up in the ennui of regular existence. And the musings on gender are self-aware and tongue-in-cheek while also being incisive. Still, when it ended, I was kind of like - what the fuck just happened? In a good way, in a bad way? Hard to know. Still, a compelling set of characters; I wanted more time with them.
ukalaylee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
3.0
amy_circosta's review against another edition
Dang -- best use of an "afterword" I've ever read. I had mixed feelings about the book itself, but the afterword made it so worth it (reading the afterword without reading the story wouldn't have worked, just in case one's looking for a shortcut). Thank you, Imogen Binnie, for giving me stuff to think about.
wigit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-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
3.75
a trans woman tries really hard to crack a strangers egg. a tale as old as time
joshgroven's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content