5 million good mango units!

Detransition, Baby brings us into the life of Reese, a trans woman, who is presented with an exciting chance to become a mother. However, the opportunity comes with a hitch: Reese’s ex-girlfriend Amy (now Ames by way of detransition) got his boss pregnant and his proposal to both women is a three-person-parenthood.

This novel is incredibly sophisticated and well written. It reflects upon humanism and encourages the reader to do so as well. From a variety of perspectives, Torrey Peters unravels the complexities of motherhood, the sensitivities of body dysphoria, the fallibility of humans, and the intricacies of gender and being transgender- all of which she handles in such a tender (and sometimes humorous) manner.

I especially enjoyed the psychological references and ideas this novel brought into play. Through engaging storytelling, Peters discusses somatic decision-making and ponders attachment theories with reference to The Elephant Breakdown- an article on the impacts of social trauma. Detransition, Baby is a meaningful and transcendent read; both thought-provoking and enlightening.

Torrey Peters is an excellent writer, her dialog, setting, pace, and detail were all pitch perfect. Even though I learned a lot of new words like detransitioned and seroconverted from this book, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this riveting, romantic story about how an unplanned pregnancy affects a trio of very varied womxn who could be described as CISgender, transgender, genderfluid, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, or non-binary.

Peters has made the leap from novellas to full-length novels with deftness and grace, scaling her oeuvre (trans politics and experiences that trans and cis people alike prefer to sweep under the carpet for the sake of an easily digested narrative; see for example the reviewers who complained that this, a work of fiction, did not adequately satisfy their voyeuristic appetites for "transsexual psychology") accordingly. Messy and human in the best way.

What an incredible debut novel. I read this in what felt like one sitting, and every time I had to stop reading, the characters lingered with me. Peters is fiercely talented. She managed to write a book that is as emotionally intelligent and compelling as it is flat-out fun to read, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. This is one I've recommended to anyone who asks what I've been reading lately.

God, this book is good. Three women's lives, different and complicated and intertwining, all dealing with problems of womanhood and femininity apart and together. I don't have a deep, profound review; I'm too in my feelings for that. There were a number of moments that took my breath away, especially in the early chapters—the writing is absolutely beautiful—and at the very end. The end drew the book together for me; I felt as though I was losing the thread a couple times in the back half, but it ended on such a complex, heart-rending, compassionate, satisfying note. There was the occasional setting that didn't interest me, especially the gala, though I understood how crucial the luxury was to the moment, especially to Reese. Even in these moments, the narrative and characters sang.

The book was about class and transness and family, what it is to *be* a woman and what it is to *do* womanhood and how they are different and the same. Because this book is written from a trans perspective, Katrina's cruelty, well meaning or intentional, was felt. Everyone in this book is a mess, but compassion edges in around everyone's sharp edges again and again, whether or not offered in tandem with forgiveness. But the element that landed most with me was Amy's detachment: it was so convincing and so felt, her ambivalence to such major events, an impression only unspooled in flashbacks when we see her embodying a more joyful life only to have it unspool. Especially contrasted against Reese's eventual quest for unfeeling, it rang: Amy abandoned the elements of her presentation that were most meaningful, that made her feel the most, because that act of feeling hurt too much.

Shit, man. I don't have an analytical review for this because I'm too busy feeling my own feelings. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. Eagerly watching for the next thing Torrey Peters puts out, and so excited to recommend this book far and wide.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I did not like this book, and not for reasons many will assume. First of all seriously, that was the end?? But that is a personal issue as I simply hate completely unfinished finishes. But what really bothered me was I wanted to finish this book feeling like I gained a better understanding the transsexual psychology involved in a very interesting story premise. Instead I got too deep an explanation of some of the transsexual psychology in the story, to the point where I found myself skipping paragraphs, and absolutely no explanation of other points of transsexual psychology, to the point where I feel unable to understand certain parts of the story. It simply left me dissatisfied with the story.

So, I have been on a mission to read more diverse authors and fiction topics lately -- to open my mind and my world to different views and experiences. This book explores the lives of transgender women (male to female). It was interesting that a portion of the book referenced that the term "transgender" did not even exist until the HIV/AIDS crisis and was created by the CDC as a distinct category for the purposes of resource allocation vs. a thoughtful consideration of the actual gender/sexual experience. So yes, I learned some stuff. The book centers around three women: a transgender woman (Reese), her former girlfriend (Amy/Ames/James) who lived as and detransitioned from life as a transgender woman, and Katrina, the cis-gender (maybe) woman Ames becomes involved with. When Katrina becomes pregnant, Ames proposes that the three raise the baby together as a family and that part of the novel is quite good. So, on the plus side, there was lots of interesting insights into alternative family structures, the LGBTQ experience and the complexity of relationships. On the con side, it was kind of convoluted at the front end, really hard to keep track of characters and a bit too much sexual content for my taste. This is kind of a niche read...can't really recommend broadly.

What an unusual, interesting, beautifully written book! Peters has a deft skill for writing complex, unusual, human characters, which is really what this novel most succeeds at as the three women explore the definition and limitations of femininity and womanhood. As a cis woman, I loved gaining insight into the trans community and found this novel to be both exquisitely poignant and deeply thought provoking.

This book focuses on three women and a potential baby plot (one cis, one trans, one now a man again). I honestly requested this book because I liked the title and the cover. I didn't expect to be so engrossed in this story. This is definitely an Own Voices novel primarily about transwomen in New York City, but is also about much more. The main character, Reese, is complex and mysterious, and yet vulnerable and transparent in so many ways. A 34-year-old white, trans woman, she craves the kind of normalcy (husband, children, nice clothes) afforded to the cis women with whom she identifies, even as she pursues affairs with married cis men who treat her badly, and has given up any belief in fairy tale endings. She was in a relationship with Amy, another transwoman, but we meet Amy as Ames after he has de-transitioned. I honestly knew next to nothing about detransitioning before reading this nobvel. I feel like I really gained a new perspective on trans culture. I put myself into a new mindset through Reese, Ames, and their friends. As a cisgender woman, I have never viewed the world through the eyes of a trans person before. I feel like I learned a new outlook on motherhood and even relationships through the process of this story. The writing is beautiful and honest. The characters are well-developed but flawed. I loved this book.

Review based on an ARC generously sent to me via Netgalley!

Wow, I’m completely blown away. I read (and loved) both of Torrey Peters’ novellas that she has released (Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones, The Masker) earlier this year, and I was extremely excited upon learning she has a new full length coming out next year. For reference, as it informs my reading of the novel: I’m a trans woman myself, somewhere in the liminal space between closeted and fully out. The main narrative follows three characters: Reese, a trans woman who longs to settle down and have a “normal” relationship/life, complete with a husband and baby; Amy/Ames, a formerly out trans woman now detransitioned and living as a man; and Katrina, a cis woman who finds herself pregnant and unexpectedly thrust into the queer world. We see the different ways that all three characters view both womanhood and motherhood, while all working towards a common goal of starting a family.

Peters tells the story from Reese’s and Amy’s/Ames’ points of view, alternating expertly between two timelines: one after Katrina realizes she’s pregnant with Ames’ child, and one from years before, from when Ames was still living as Amy and in a relationship with Reese. Every single character is written with such a degree of care that it’s hard to not empathize with everyone, as you can clearly see where they’re coming from and why they would think that way. The parts that got to me the most were the internal monologues of Reese in the present timeline regarding her feelings toward motherhood, and those of Amy in the past timeline toward sex, particularly in Chapter 4. As you can imagine, Peters gets into the many uncomfortable realities that being trans entails, including things not very often spoken about, and many of the things that various characters in this book say or think deeply resonated with me, or made me reconsider something that I had previously accepted as fact. As trans fiction is not exactly the most common genre, this novel was a breath of fresh air, and I’m grateful to have a new favorite author to follow for years to come.

Despite this being a (very) queer novel, I feel that it could be enjoyed by anyone, trans or cis, who enjoys contemporary stories about well-written, realistic characters trying to make the best out of a situation that none of them expected to be in. The book is alternately hilarious and devastating, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I received a complimentary copy of Detransition, Baby from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was an interesting novel. It answered questions I didn't know I even had and then some. Very eye-opening. Definitely not for everyone, but it sure made me think about the pursuit of happiness (and how lucky most people are).

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Can this be my book of the year if it doesn’t actually come out until 2021? Beautifully written, engrossing, poignant. I felt as though I were invited into a world that looks and moves like mine but isn’t entirely—and that’s what makes it so especially enchanting. Moments of familiarity bleed into fragments of difference and yet it all feels so intimate and recognizable that I couldn’t help but want to live in this book. Torrey Peters is now an author I’ll forever be on the lookout for; I am grateful to her for sharing this story and these characters with the world.

such an incredible cover. i love the colour scheme a lot. this book had me hooked from the start, such a poignant read and one i'd read again

I have a lot of feelings about this book— wow! The way Torrey Peters writes this nuanced experience of being trans femme (specifically being a white trans woman) is raw and honest in a way that brings validation to an experience that I think a lot of trans folks have.

The story/plot is also really honest. Three people coming together over the idea of raising a baby in an unconventional way. The topic of queerness in family dynamics is explored in a way that isn’t dramatized, stigmatized, or romanticized. It’s hard to navigate, and Peters brings this struggle to life with such a delicate blend of the present and past. Shaping potential parents while they each come to terms what it actually means to be (or not be) one.

Also it’s FUNNY! Reese is such a cynical character and I love her so much. Especially the irony of Wim Hof. And the juvenile elephant analogy. Torrey Peters’ brain is so outstanding.

CW: transphobia, suicide, miscarriage, accidental pregnancy, abuse, abusive relationships

Enjoyed this book but also think it ended wanly. Liminality, etc etc, but also, a “decision” of sorts, would have left more to think about

This was a thoughtful book on a subject that's difficult to talk about in the LGBTQ community. I thought it was done very respectfully and appreciated its perspective.

Detransition, Baby is unlike any queer novel I’ve read. While I am queer myself, I will acknowledge that I have a lot to learn and am eager to explore the stories of queer people, as the stories are extremely diverse. The idea of de-transitioning was completely new to me and I found myself wanting to read more stories, especially non-fiction stories, that would help explain this process in more detail. It’s a beautiful book about trying to connect and find oneself, which is the universal experience. Beautifully written and extremely engaging. Cannot wait to share this with friends.

(Book Pub Date: 12 Jan 2021 #DetransitionBaby #NetGalley)

When I read the plot summary, I had to get my hands on a copy of this debut novel by Torrey Peters. Reese is a trans woman, approached by her ex (then Amy, now Ames) to possibly raise a child with Ames and Katrina, Ames' boss at work. The timeline jumps between before and after the conception, which I loved, so you see Reese and Amy's relationship as a couple interspersed with their relationship as Reese and Ames.

I haven't read anything like this before- the closest I can compare it to would be a modern, fictional 'Stone Butch Blues'. Detransition, Baby dives into gender and sexuality with passion, depth and sex scenes that left me blushing at times. It's ugly and beautiful. Ugly in the raw feelings- it felt so personal and intimate - and beautiful in the relationships and growth of the characters.

Reading this was like being invited into a circle of friends that shares EVERYTHING- opinions about motherhood, race, violence, intersectionality, attraction, control, self-loathing and self-love. It's not a light read, but it's vulnerable and honest.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A detransitioned man, his trans ex-girlfriend, and his cis girlfriend take up the task of co-parenting together in Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters. It’s an experiment in queer parenting that seems even more impossible to the three central characters than it might to the generous reader--but each character’s wish to be a mother is strong enough that they give it their best shot. This smart and unusual novel captured my interest over the last several weeks and mostly delivered, even despite some weaknesses and missteps here and there.

Detransition, Baby is a book about motherhood first and foremost, and it thoughtfully weaves together the perspectives of its three protagonists as they set out to become parents. At the core of the novel is Reese. Trans, independent, smart, and desperate to be a mom, Reese hasn’t had a good relationship that made her feel loved since she was with Amy. Amy detransitioned after a traumatic experience and goes by Ames now, but Ames doesn’t feel right in his skin, and after he mistakenly gets his new girlfriend pregnant, he can’t bear the thought of being a parent unless he’s surrounded by other trans women--and Reese in particular. Then there’s Katrina, Ames’ pregnant girlfriend, who doesn’t know much about trans life but is willing to get to know Reese if it’s the surest path to start a family.

In Reese, we have an eager, attentive future mom; in Katrina, a cautious mom-to-be whose age and past experiences with miscarriages have given her reason to fear disturbances; and in Ames, a hesitant and skittish new parent who just knows for sure he doesn’t want to be called a father.

The book’s primary focus is on Reese and Ames and their diverging paths that preceded their journey to co-parenting together. In a narrative style that alternates between flashbacks to Reese and Amy’s relationship and present-day events surrounding the pregnancy, the book cleanly showcases how its protagonists’ flaws split them apart, and why as they reach their mid-thirties they begin to feel like they need each other more than ever.

I enjoyed this book, especially the characters. Amy and Reese are two distinctly human women blessed with juicy character flaws. Their internal monologues and sharply argued perspectives are always very resolute and certain, and watching their perspectives evolve from the flashbacks to the very end of the present-day sections of the novel is a true treat where character development is concerned. Further, the novel never lets characterization of Reese or Amy rely on archetypes. They are very different people, and can’t be reduced to one being happier, healthier, or more successful than the other. Neither one is doing very well, either in terms of understanding herself or meaningfully taking care of others, much as they try. Adding to the authenticity, the world around them feels incredibly real, with a broad range of other trans characters who exist on the outskirts of their lives and further illustrate that trans people do not look any one particular type of way. And most importantly, there are generously developed throughlines and themes, including women desiring to establish legacy, seeking the help of other women, and yearning to build the types of relationships they haven’t experienced themselves.

While not every aspect of this book appealed to me--for example, certain aspects of Katrina’s character felt underwritten and a bit light on the interiority Amy and Reese were afforded, and I also could have lived without Reese’s musings on the relationship between womanhood and submissive sex--Detransition, Baby is a sharp portrait of trans millennial life, the importance of creating a legacy, and the need to channel attention and love into something real. I really recommend the book to anyone interested in stories about relationships falling apart, coming back together, and evolving in unexpected ways.

Thanks to Peters, PRH and Netgalley for the e-galley.

What a phenomenal, special novel. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. Peters is a fantastic writer and the prose feels very fresh and original. There's wonderfully dry, dark humor throughout, and the voice (especially for Reese) is vivid and engaging. My only cons were that in portions of the book (some dialogue, for example), some of the content felt geared toward cis het people, very explanatory. Ultimately, this doesn't take away from my love of the book, but did surprise me, as 95% of the book is so resistant to what I would call the cishet gaze.