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.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and author Torrey Peters for providing me with the title Detransition, Baby (and for granting my wish!)

Wow, what an amazing, amazing novel! This was not was I was expecting; I was thoroughly pleased with what I got to read. I got to learn sooo much about Transgender culture while reading this. I was able to put myself in someone else’s shoes, someone completely different from me. And that is a wonderful gift that Peters has shared with us all. I felt very, very emotional while reading this. I cannot wait to grab a physical edition, I for sure want this on my shelf!

Thank you again to those named above for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This novel involves several intersecting transgender lives, some who are ex- lovers, some who are friends with benefits, some who are mortal enemies. None of the characters seem particularly interesting and they all seem to be very enthralled with the violence, drugs, and promiscuous sex in their lives. A lot of BDSM and alternative sexuality is fantasized and described vividly. It seems that the people in this book court disaster in their relationships. They all seem like distasteful people, and the one thing they have in common is their trangenderness. This novel is about what I am presuming is the underbelly of the transgender community. Not recommended and possibly triggering for abuse survivors.

In a completely unexpected way, I was blown away by Detransition, Baby. It is an Own Voices novel primarily about transwomen in New York City, but is also about so, so much more. The main character, Reese, is complex and mysterious, and yet vulnerable and transparent in so many ways. She was in a relationship with Amy, another transwoman, but we meet Amy as Ames after he has de-transitioned. I have never read about detransitioning and so this was a completely new concept to me. This alone would have made for an informative and engaging book, but another layer of complication is added when Ames impregnates his boss/lover, Katrina, a divorcee with her own reasons for feeling ambivalent about pregnancy. Torrey Peters masterfully weaves the story together by going back and forth through time to show how Reese and Ames ended up in their present situation, which, by the way, doesn't get neatly resolved in the end.
Peters is particularly good at revealing the innermost thoughts of her characters in a way that feels utterly real. She evokes the kind of empathy for her characters that would be hard to do normally, but perhaps harder still in a society that is still incredibly transphobic. Yes, many of the issues were specific to transwomen, but there were also more universal issues addressed, such as how we as individuals cope with trauma and what it means to be a parent or seek parenthood. It would be reductive to simply call this a trans novel because it is that and so much more. I will definitely be going back and seeking Peters' other works and look forward to a long and fruitful career for her!

This book is the first I’ve ever read that featured trans characters, and I loved it overall. Reese and Ames were characters I rooted for, and enjoyed hearing about their journey. This book stands out from others I have read this year, and I’m going to recommend it to my friends.

This story was not what I expected at all. I learned a lot about trans culture, and their lives. I put myself into a new mindset through Reese, Ames, and their friends. I have never viewed the world through the eyes of a trans person before, and this book gave me a little peek. I feel like I learned a new outlook on motherhood and even relationships through the process of this story.
Very emotional.

If "The Corrections" and "The Object of My Affection" had a trans, millennial baby who was jaded and twice as smart as either of her fathers, she would be this book. "Detransition, Baby," my favorite read so far of 2020, is a witty, humane exploration of identity, womanhood, and the search for love and family that refuses easy answers, or any answers at all.

The narrative alternates between the POV of ex-girlfriends Reese and Ames, whose takes-two-to-tango breakup left both of them with lingering scars that make stable love feel impossible,

Reese, a 34-year-old white, trans woman, 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. Ames--formerly Amy, and before that, James--reverted to living as a man after their breakup, even as he privately still feels himself to be a woman. The dissonance between his inner and outer selves allow him to exist in a kind of protective numbness, in which his emotions and his wants can remain equally hypothetical. When Ames gets his boss/secret girlfriend, Katrina, pregnant, his and Reese's lost dream of shared motherhood comes surging back to the surface, where it begins to cause problems all over again.

Every element of this book, from the prose, to the characters (each of the three women so different from one another), to the ending, manages to be accessible without sacrificing realness or artistic beauty. What's more, Torres Peters has written something wholly original: a novel about trans lives that skips over the educating-cis-people and pleasing-the-queer-masses part, in favor of nuanced depiction of real, idiocratic people who are representative of only themselves.

Reese and Ames aren't the postergirls for anything. Reese, whose clever critiques of queer political righteousness are what most queers would consider unspeakable in mixed company, knowingly accepts male abuse as an affirmation of her womanhood even as she knows she knows better. On the surface, appears to be the poster*boy* for TERF arguments about biological absolutism. But Ames' relationship to gender is far more complex than anything packaged by a political argument. He has not returned to the right body any more than he is trapped in the wrong one; he is simply trying to find a way to balance the painful exposure of being his desired self with the need to get through to the next day. Katrina, the cis woman in this triangle, makes space for a straight perspective, but an ambivalent one (torn between a movie-fantasy of queer family and a craving for heteronormative "stability"), and is adept at calling Reese and Ames on their mutual bullshit.

As an embittered, "elder millennial," trans reader, this book was a gift that I already want to reopen: a book written for people like me, that I can also share with my literary fiction-reading aunts and uncles (so long as they promise we won't talk about the sex). May it be the first of many.

This thoughtful title asks the reader to grapple with notions of motherhood, self identity and community. What does it truly mean to parent. And how do our often contradictory selves influence how we love one another. It centers trans voices. Well done and lovely.