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A review by zmorris1923
Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam
5.0
How can I not give 5 stars to a book with a Le Guin reference at the end??
This book was powerful--I want a copy of this book to own and look back on. The historical analysis and gender studies work here is beyond thoughtful and extensive. I appreciate this authors care with each story in history, and each person. They know what they're talking about. This care is apparent on every page.
The focus on WHY each story was in this history was important too. Even if the people weren't trans in our sense of the word, their stories are important to the expansiveness of gender, and that culture may define identity and meaning to ones gender. Beyond that to, that gender can be disrupted against the cultural norms.
Truly a fascinating read.
This book was powerful--I want a copy of this book to own and look back on. The historical analysis and gender studies work here is beyond thoughtful and extensive. I appreciate this authors care with each story in history, and each person. They know what they're talking about. This care is apparent on every page.
The focus on WHY each story was in this history was important too. Even if the people weren't trans in our sense of the word, their stories are important to the expansiveness of gender, and that culture may define identity and meaning to ones gender. Beyond that to, that gender can be disrupted against the cultural norms.
Truly a fascinating read.