The Words
The new year is here, overflowing with promise and opportunities to start afresh. Let’s begin by opening a crisp new book…
Book of the month
EDITED BY ALI ROFF FARRAR. MAIN REVIEWS: EITHNE FARRY. PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES
DETRANSITION, BABY
By Torrey Peters
(Profile Books, £14.99)
Funny, bold, big-hearted and brilliant, this novel takes a unique look at motherhood, fatherhood, gender, relationships, family and the messy complications of desire, shame, guilt and love from a trans perspective.
Reese, a trans woman, is aware of her self-destructive tendencies. Ames, her ex, who detransitioned after a brutal attack, asks Reese to be a second mother to the baby his lover, cisgender Katrina, is carrying. Reese has always longed for a child; Ames is conflicted about parenthood, while Katrina, with a history of miscarriage and melancholy after the breakdown of her marriage, just wants to work out what’s best for all of them. Gripping, gracious, generous and unmissable!