Bodycage

This book is an exquisite masterpiece of writing. With a wonderful balance of humor, pathos and refreshing candor, the author describes her life from a little boy in England, through the various stages of her gender transition in Australia, her time spent as a nanny in Marin County CA, to her present incarnation as an individual who appears transformed in many more ways than just her gender.That said, the author, at times presents an elitist attitude toward gender transition, weaving with obvious negative editorial intent, several cautionary tales of gender transitions that have gone awry. These "failures," in my opinion, represent more the failure of our society to incorporate those individuals who are outside the acceptable gender binary. In other words, they don't look like "normal" women, but men presenting as women. Therefore, they cannot be accepted. This attitude tends to invalidate the feelings and suffering of such individuals. What is abnormal and what needs to change is the rigid manner that society views gender. It is this societal attitude that needs modification. If an individual is gender dysphoric, there is no way that he or she is going to change - - that just doesn't happen. Therefore, this condition is normal and needs to be incorporated into our overall concept of normality.I wanted to make this last point, because the author's general view of gender transition for all but the smallest, fortunate minority who were lucky enough to be born of small stature and with fine features, is the only thing that takes away from this otherwise beautiful book.

This book offers a profound insight into the World as experienced by a transgendered person. It will open your eyes to things on both an emotional and intellectual level well beyond what you thought you already knew. I'm so grateful to the Author for sharing this story of courage, determination, and ultimate victory which is certain to inspire thousands, if not millions, of people in a similar situation.

this book has a fresh clear headed approach to the subject. the anecdotes and history presented are not self-serving in any way with the author able to be more objective than is usually the case. It's quite a journey- made with bravery and good humour. i hope it sells well as it deserves to do.a real insight.