Trans-Sister Radio

Interesting...

I borrowed this book from a friend and she didn't really say anything about it.. it was little challenging for my age group, but very interesting and amazing! I definetly learned a lot from this book! I think that now I have a little more sympathy towards trans-sexuals. It was a great book that hit a different group of people that many other people don't appreciate as much.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Makes you question your beliefs

I read this book for my local book group. The story is told from the perspective of four individuals; Dana, Allison, Carly, and Will. Interspersed throughout the story are transcripts from a radio talk show interview between Carly and other characters within the book.

The book begins with Carly explaining the impact of her parent's (Allison and Will) divorce. Will remarried but was often accused of holding a torch for Allison. Allison was a grade school teacher and was taking courses at the local college; Dana was her professor. Dana, an attractive yet effeminate man, quickly caught Allison's attention and they quickly entered into a relationship.

A few months into their relationship, Dana reveals to Allison that he was born into the wrong body and is contemplating gender reassignment surgery. Though overwhelmed by this shocking news, Allison's love for Dana has grown beyond her rational control and she vows to remain by his side throughout his journey to become who he truly wants to be. The rest of the book centers around the perceptions of others and the struggles and complications the couple must face due to societal beliefs and prejudices.

This book was well-written, as is the power of this author to transform mere words into a work of art. However, the ending and "revelations" were predictable, which was highly disappointing to me knowing the abilities of the authors writing style. This book explores an extremely controversial topic in a manner that instills a sense of compassion in the reader for the characters within the book.

This story also instigated much conversation between me and my friends. I could not stop thinking about these people and their story. This work of fiction reads as a memoir and poses certain important yet debatable questions. The biggest question of all throughout this account is: can love transcend gender? Before you form your final opinion and answer to this question.read this book. Make sure you have all sides of any story before settling on a position. Enjoy.this is a book that will make you think and question all your previously held beliefs and ideals.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Interesting, but....

What a disappointment! The characters were very strong and went through so much. It was a disgrace that the ending was so weak.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!! Great story

Could not put it down. Read it in two days!! Did not expect the ending. I highly recommend it!

Very Highly Recommended To All To read And Check Out

I have Heard A lot Of Compliments in this book and belive all should read it for the best understanding Of what we all gor through.

Very Differnt

Never read anything like this before - a story about a man and woman who fall in love, except the man is in the process of becoming a woman. There's a lot to think about, but not so much that it distracts from the story, which pulls you in and keeps you there.

Great book on an interesting topic!

Chris Bohjalain write a beautiful account of the complexities we face when life throws us a curve. Not every person will identify with these characters- but they will understand how we all face life altering decisions of our own, and how these decisions affect not only us.
Wondefully done!

WOW, a book that is full of interesting info!

A friend read it and chose it for our book club, much to the puzzled looks of other members. However, this book was interesting, amazing, and I found myself caring about the characters. While the end is somewhat predictable, I had a difficult time putting it down. I even learned that there is a doc in CO that does this surgery...all in all, you will learn something!

Best book I've read all summer!

Beautifully written and thought through. I have never read anything like it and I just thought it was great.

A well writen emotional book

I found this book phenominally well writen and especially sensitive towards the subject of transsexuality, both from those who are transsexual and those who are their friends, family and lovers. To many the ending may have been anti-climactic but I don't see anyway else that it could have been writen. As in the case of most post-op transsexuals life simply moves on.

Hate to break rank but I was disappointed

Having high expectations from reading Midwives, I was really disappointed in the ending of this book. For all the soul-searching every character went through, by the time it ended, the outcome seemed a bit trite. That said, the detail was intensely given, and I appreciated the strength of each of the characters--especially Allison--in pushing back against prescribed social expectations. It seemed these characters were written with the deepest compassion and respect for all the different perspectives they represented.

Couldnt put it down

I don't really enjoy reading but I came across this book in a beach house I was staying at for the weekend. I have to say I couldn't put it down. It's a book I want to keep reading and find out what happens next. It's also a very funny book, it hits all emotions and I am a hard person to please when it comes to having to read. Over all I loved it, it was great

Couldn't Put It Down

This book was fascinating. It is such an odd concept and yet, so well-written and interesting...It made me smile and brought me to tears. A truly wonderful read!

I realy like this one

This story made me laugh, and cry sometimes at the same time. I suppose because I could relate to a great deal of it. This book is one I would recommend to friends and family alike.

This author really 'gets it'

Although lacking quite a few important details, Chris Bohjalian really captures the essence in this fictional work of what it is like to be a transsexual woman in this world. The 'back-and-forth' can get confusing, but for me this detracted little from the story. This story vividly illustrates the plight of someone who has to deal with forces that are involuntarily at work in their life, as well as what issues they force others in their world to face. People do not like to peer deep within their own souls, particularly if they feel they have been tricked into doing it and are trapped staring at the uncomfortable realities they find. If you would seek to understand one who is transsexual, particularly one who may be in your life, this book will go a long ways towards educating you, as well as giving you a glimpse into the plain and simple realities of life that must be contended with.

Another great one by Chris Bohjalian

I approached this book with some hesitation as I was hoping it wasn't a trashy sex change operation story gone wrong... What I discovered was a wonderful story of 4 very bright, educated, open-minded people whose lives were changed with the decision of 1 of the characters. My heart goes out to people who contemplate such major decisions.

Great Book!!! that said so much about life rather then gender...

This book is not just about gender. It is more about life, love & the need to be happy! Dana makes it come to life! A book that gets one to understand their are all different ways to be happy!

not as good as Midwives

The premise for the story was a good one, but I didn't think he did the best job. Read Midwives for a better job for this author. This book was too talky.

Wonderful Book! Highly Recommend !

This book was a real page turner! It is written about a subject that I am sure would make an excellent read for book clubs! A great deal to discuss and comment on! The book is narrated by 4 different characters, which makes it very interesting and kept me turning the pages wondering what next! After reading this book, I am going to read past books by Chris Bohjalian.

A wonderfully adorable story

I could not put this book down! I was never drawn into a story so intensely. I openly laughed, cooed and cried while following the characters through a tragic-romantic adventure the likes of which would bend the psyche' of most people into a pretzel. That's what makes this read so delicious. Chris Bohjalian's ability to express the thoughts, sentiment's and attitudes of Dana through her journey, as well as his ability to set a scene so vivid that, by way of contrast, he makes Hemingway seem like a dime-novel hack, no less than fully captivates the reader. Dana's transition timeline and development are inaccurate/fantastic, but I will grant the author artistic license. This book isn't a documentary. It's marvelously written fictional literature dealing with the issues surrounding transsexuality in a fair and gentle manner.