The Best Trans Autobiography Ever Written
http://www.bilerico.com/2011/07/the_best_trans_book_ever_written.php7/27/11
Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
Yesterday, Adam Polaski wrote about his impressions of the book "She's Not There" by Jennifer Finney Boylan. He said that, while it doesn't seek to portray the life plan for all transsexuals, the book "expertly communicates the challenges of transitioning while speaking to its necessity and unveiling its joys."
And yet, some commenters said it was too joyful. Esteemed Projector GinaSF noted that she didn't relate to the book, because it was too breezy, and didn't connect with any of the pain and complexities she experienced in transition. I had a different experience: it is the best trans autobiography ever written.
As a professor whose specialization is trans workplace law and policy, I made it my business in my graduate school years (2001-2004) to read every trans book I could lay my hands on. There weren't too many in those days, and the project was funded generously by my boyfriend, who took to the project with zeal. It seemed as if every day a box was arriving with more books, many of which were transsexual women's autobiographies. I probably read about thirty transsexual women's autobiographies.
