Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters follows the intertwined relationships of three characters over the past eight years: Reese, a trans woman, Ames (formerly Amy) who detransitioned after their breakup, and Katrina, Ames' current girlfriend. The novel delves into themes of gender identity, family dynamics, and relationships, with a mix of humor, emotion, and commentary on life's complexities. The book is praised for its realistic portrayal of characters who are flawed, complex, and not meant to be ideal representatives of trans women.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as deeply flawed and complex individuals, each dealing with their unique struggles related to identity and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a blend of sharp humor and emotional depth, though it can stray into didacticism and inconsistent time shifts.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the complex relationships of three women as they navigate motherhood, gender identity, and personal struggles, highlighting the intricacies of their intertwined lives.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary New York City, serving as a vibrant backdrop for the exploration of queer culture and relationships.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with some sections feeling slow due to heavy exposition, while others maintain a faster rhythm through character interactions.

THE QUESTION, FOR Reese: Were married men just desperately attractive to her? Or was the pool of men who were available to her as a trans woman only those who had already locked down a cis wife and co...

Notes:

Detransition, Baby is written by Torrey Peters, a transgender woman.

It was published by a major publisher, making it a significant milestone in publishing.

The novel was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction.

The story focuses on a trio of women—Reese (a transgender woman), Ames (a man who detransitioned), and Katrina (a cis woman).

The book explores complex themes of gender, motherhood, and sexuality.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance of gender roles throughout the narrative.

The book deals with the dynamics of parenting in a non-traditional family setup.

The structure alternates between past and present timelines, which some readers found disorienting.

The writing style ranges from humorous to serious, with commentary on the transgender experience.

It includes discussions on what it means to be a woman and societal expectations surrounding motherhood.

Some readers found the characters unlikable, noting their self-destructive behaviors.

The narrative has been described as a 'messy soap opera' with dramatic twists and turns.

The author aims to provide visibility for trans experiences without attempting to create a perfect representation.

Overall, Detransition, Baby has sparked conversations about transgender issues and relationships outside the typical norms.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of transphobia, self-destructive behaviors, and identity struggles.

From The Publisher:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The lives of three women-transgender and cisgender-collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2021 SO FAR . . .

Vulture: "Reading this novel is like holding a live wire in your hand."

Time: "One of the most celebrated novels of the year."

Marie Claire: "You won't be able to put it down."

Bustle: "The book everyone is talking about."

Longlisted for The Women's Prize

Roxane Gay's Audacious Book Club Pick

New York Times Editors' Choice

Reese almost had it all: a loving relationship with Amy, an apartment in New York City, a job she didn't hate. She had scraped together what previous generations of trans women could only dream of: a life of mundane, bourgeois comforts. The only thing missing was a child. But then her girlfriend, Amy, detransitioned and became Ames, and everything fell apart. Now Reese is caught in a self-destructive pattern: avoiding her loneliness by sleeping with married men.

Ames isn't happy either. He thought detransitioning to live as a man would make life easier, but that decision cost him his relationship with Reese-and losing her meant losing his only family. Even though their romance is over, he longs to find a way back to her. When Ames's boss and lover, Katrina, reveals that she's pregnant with his baby-and that she's not sure whether she wants to keep it-Ames wonders if this is the chance he's been waiting for. Could the three of them form some kind of unconventional family-and raise the baby together?

This provocative debut is about what happens at the emotional, messy, vulnerable corners of womanhood that platitudes and good intentions can't reach. Torrey Peters brilliantly and fearlessly navigates the most dangerous taboos around gender, sex, and relationships, gifting us a thrillingly original, witty, and deeply moving novel.

Ratings (14)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (30):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (12)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (3)

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About the Author:

Torrey Peters is the author of the novellas Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones and The Masker, which are available for free on her website. She holds an MFA from the University of Iowa and an MA in Comparative Literature…

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Detransition, Baby

Torrey Peters