A review by schopenhauers_poodle
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
3.5
A book written about trans characters and by a trans author, (the previous review that says Torrey is a cis woman is mistaken), becoming a bestseller is a huge achievement on it's own. The writing itself, however, is uneven though entertaining and promising.
The book has great pacing and an interesting premise based on some taboo topics, (detransitioning, entering into a hetero-passing relationship, etc.). I found myself re-reading the chapters focused on Ames and Reese's reflections on past relationships and coming out. Peters' writing really shines in those parts with sincerity and a kind of painful, bittersweet memorializing of past selves. It touched me deeply.
Reese is my favorite and by far the most captivating of all the characters in the book. She's hurt, self-destructive, full of yearning, but also smart, thoughtful when she wants to be, observant, very funny, and full of emotional depth that the other two in the trio seem not able to access. Out of all the characters in the book she seems to me the most brave.
Conversely, the weakest part of the plot is Katrina. She is the least developed and convincing character. Frankly, she's annoying. Peters writes her trans characters so vividly, but I think having a straight, cis, and Asian character was perhaps too far from her own experience to write to the same level of depth. It was hard for me to understand why Ames was so attracted to her and why he was so committed to a relationship with her.
Maybe I'm not straight or naive enough, but I also could not understand why Reese having sex with someone undetectable and while on prophylaxis meds was the biggest issue and pushed her to abort! She seemed more upset over that than Reese sleeping with her friend's husband without his wife knowing. I don't know, do I not understand straight people?
In the reviews I've read, I've heard criticism of Peters' writing, specifically that the sentences are convoluted, awkward. I have a feeling she writes very close to her own speaking voice. If you share this criticism, the audiobook might be a better experience by restoring Peters' speaking cadence.
I think if you are a Tales of the City, Weetzie Bat, Tom Spanbauer, Gregg Araki fan you'd like this, too.
The book has great pacing and an interesting premise based on some taboo topics, (detransitioning, entering into a hetero-passing relationship, etc.). I found myself re-reading the chapters focused on Ames and Reese's reflections on past relationships and coming out. Peters' writing really shines in those parts with sincerity and a kind of painful, bittersweet memorializing of past selves. It touched me deeply.
Reese is my favorite and by far the most captivating of all the characters in the book. She's hurt, self-destructive, full of yearning, but also smart, thoughtful when she wants to be, observant, very funny, and full of emotional depth that the other two in the trio seem not able to access. Out of all the characters in the book she seems to me the most brave.
Conversely, the weakest part of the plot is Katrina. She is the least developed and convincing character. Frankly, she's annoying. Peters writes her trans characters so vividly, but I think having a straight, cis, and Asian character was perhaps too far from her own experience to write to the same level of depth. It was hard for me to understand why Ames was so attracted to her and why he was so committed to a relationship with her.
In the reviews I've read, I've heard criticism of Peters' writing, specifically that the sentences are convoluted, awkward. I have a feeling she writes very close to her own speaking voice. If you share this criticism, the audiobook might be a better experience by restoring Peters' speaking cadence.
I think if you are a Tales of the City, Weetzie Bat, Tom Spanbauer, Gregg Araki fan you'd like this, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, and Violence