Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Horse Barbie

"Horse Barbie" is a profoundly impactful memoir by Geena Rocero, a trans Filipina pageant star, offering a poignant exploration of femininity, identity, and resilience in the face of oppression. Rocero's narrative is a powerful testament to the challenges and triumphs of navigating the intersections of gender, race, and colonial history.

Throughout the memoir, Rocero fearlessly delves into the complexities of feminization, shedding light on the relentless pressure to conform to narrow standards of beauty and gender expression. Her candid reflections on the fear of being "clocked" are extremely poignant, offering insight into the lived experiences of trans individuals, particularly transfemmes, in society.

Against the backdrop of the American modeling industry, Rocero unveils the insidious forces of white supremacy, beauty standards, colorism, and transphobia, illuminating the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. Her unwavering commitment to anticolonial and decolonial themes underscores the importance of reclaiming and celebrating trans Filipina heritage.

Central to Rocero's narrative is the theme of chosen family and solidarity within the trans community, highlighting the transformative power of support and collective action. Her portrayal of trans joy and resilience amidst adversity serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for readers grappling with their own identities and struggles.

Rocero's voice is both intimate and inviting, infused with moments of humor and levity that balance the weight of the narrative. Her journey as an immigrant navigating the complexities of identity and assimilation in America offers a nuanced perspective on the intersectionality of gender and migration.

"Horse Barbie" is not merely a memoir; it is a manifesto of trans empowerment and liberation, challenging societal norms and reclaiming agency over one's identity. Rocero's unwavering commitment to self-love and acceptance serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and beauty inherent in trans existence.

As Rocero eloquently states, "trans joy can never be fully extinguished," and "Horse Barbie" is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and determination within the trans community. Through her courageous storytelling, Rocero invites readers to reimagine their own histories and embrace their authentic selves with pride and confidence. "Horse Barbie" is a transformative and essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of gender, identity, and the power of self-affirmation. Geena Rocero's memoir is a triumph of trans resilience and joy, and I hope you’ll pick up a copy today.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Trans Liberation, Critics of Gender Norms & Roles, Supporters of Intersectional Feminism, Advocates of Decolonialism.

🔑 Key Themes: Trans Empowerment, Decolonization of Beauty Standards, Chosen Family and Community Support, Immigrant Experience and Identity, Resilience and Self-Love, Intersectionality and Solidarity, Reclaiming Trans Joy and Agency.

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courtofsmutandstuff's review against another edition

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5.0

I really enjoyed this, and highly recommend it, especially for people who like memoir.
I wasn't familiar with Rocero before her book, and it works well without prior knowledge of the author. She tells her whole life story, with a lot of focus on her professional experience (beauty pagents, modeling, and activism), but there is a lot of focus on her time as a stealth model, and the mental and emotional duress she experiences by staying in the closet. There are absolutely moments of joy and I love how she spends time talking about her friendships (and later in the book her most important relationships). She also does an excellent job reading the audiobook, and I liked the moments where there were sound effects (primarily camera shutters).

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chainingbooks's review

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funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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siobhanward's review against another edition

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funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

One nice thing about adding books to your TBR and then not reading them for a while is being totally surprised when you finally pick them up. I had no idea what this was about and was immediately sucked in by Rocero's writing style and ability to weave stories with love and humour. It was honestly really nice to read a book about a trans person whose family was loving and supportive. I liked that as Geena started to lean more towards femininity, her family just accepted her and continued on with their lives.

I only wish that the later part of Geena's life (after she came out as trans) was more fleshed out. The beginning of her story leading up to there was detailed and in-depth, but it felt like the end just got rushed and didn't have the same attention as the rest. However, that was really the only downside. I loved the narrative style, it felt like a friend telling a story.

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