Georgiann Davis delivers a raw and complex memoir that unapologetically confronts class, gender, and identity through the lens of her unconventional upbringing. From a chaotic childhood shaped by a flashy, struggling mother and unchecked family trauma to an adulthood filled with startling medical revelations and academic triumph, Davis weaves personal experience with social critique in a way that’s bold, thoughtful, and politically charged.

While the storytelling is powerful and necessary, at times the narrative feels disjointed, and some transitions between personal memoir and cultural analysis lack cohesion. Still, Davis' voice is undeniably compelling, and her journey—from dropout to professor—is both inspiring and important for readers seeking nuanced takes on identity, poverty, and resilience in America.

I’m such a fan of gritty memoirs, and this was definitely that. Georgiann’s story of growing up is fascinating and kind of horrifying.
This is the first memoir I’ve read where the author is intersex and I really appreciated how candid Georgiann wrote about her experience.
I find it hard to rate and really give meaningful feedback on someone’s experience in their own words. Objectively I found this very interesting and while I appreciated her raw and blunt storytelling, I found some of the stories really off putting, which is the point, I think, but I don’t always love reading stories that leave me feeling uncomfortable.