Shift

Interesting.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I enjoyed this exploration of sexual fluidity. While younger people seem to be embracing fluidity, it is still a topic that is barely understood by many middle-aged and older people.

"Shift" by Penny Guisinger is a compelling memoir that delves into the complexities of identity, relationships, and personal growth. Guisinger candidly recounts her experiences with women and men, navigating the challenges of a failed marriage and an affair that ultimately led her to her current wife. What sets this memoir apart is Guisinger's straightforward yet thoughtful integration of various disciplines, such as quantum physics and music theory, into her personal narrative. This approach adds depth to the storytelling, prompting readers to consider the nuanced aspects of identity and the interconnectedness of past and present.

The backdrop of rural, easternmost Maine and the national debate on same-sex marriage adds a layer of significance to Guisinger's journey. The rejection of her family's validity by neighbors serves as a poignant reflection of societal attitudes. "Shift" stands out as a sincere exploration of self-discovery and acceptance, moving beyond conventional narratives. Guisinger's storytelling is both impactful and intellectually engaging, leaving a lasting impression on readers as they contemplate the intricacies of the human experience.

A special note of thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC via Netgalley.

I thought this book included a lot of interesting life stories and reflections. There were also clever comparisons, like coming out being like a map that has folds and creases from all the times it has to be taken out and used.

I would've liked it better if I felt a clearer distinction between the chapters and what the ultimate goal was for sharing certain stories when they were shared. It felt a bit stream of consciousness and could've been organized to make it more compelling.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

I was very quickly annoyed at the author’s choice not to structure the book more clearly. But then I got sucked in to her story, and I stopped caring so much about my ideas of structure and having everything make sense.
I read the book quickly, eagerly, searching for ideas and recognition. I have never been married to a man but I have certainly been in that marriage that isn’t working and you don’t know what to do, and the kids are small.
I am glad she seems happy now.
This book isn’t for everybody. But I’m very glad I read it.

I received a free advance e-copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This wasn't necessarily poorly written, I just didn't follow the analogies and the random scientist/mathematician/etc. mentions. It was an interesting story and I don't typically like to rate memoirs because who am I to tell someone how to tell their own story, but it did fall a little bit short for me.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this book. This was my first exposure to Penny Guisinger’s writing, which reminds me of the way Jeannine Ouellette writes. She spends less time on telling the reader the surface events of her life (marrying a man and later falling in love with a woman) and focuses more on using metaphor and detail to evoke curiosity and feeling. What does it feel like for your life and identity to fall apart in the throes of parenting young children? How do you rally the courage to step off the edge of everything you’ve ever known? Especially potent was her story of a dying newborn mouse and its similarities to the inner conflict she experienced in taking action around her failing marriage and family. At the same time, her prose about falling in love with a woman is intoxicating. The overall structure is brilliant. I didn’t comprehend that structure while I was reading because I was too busy feeling my way through all the change. But by the end of the book, I could look back and see it, which makes me want to read the book again. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was a beautifully written memoir, and took me back to a specific time in queer history, which I appreciated. If I could've given 3.5 stars I would. It felt like the story lost it's punch toward the end, but I still think it's a great story of coming out later in life and the ripple effects it can have.

I enjoyed this memoir about Penny Guisinger’s journey from growing up assuming she was straight, marrying a man, and having children, then growing increasingly frustrated with her life and falling in love with and marrying a woman. Throughout the book, the author describes various illusions and interesting situations and relates them to her shifting sense of identity, which was an interesting literary device.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys memoirs and stories of self-discovery or is curious about sexual and romantic fluidity later in life. Note that the book discusses marital infidelity and alcohol abuse and includes occasional swearing.

I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.