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A review by thelesbianlibrary
Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us by Jennifer Finney Boylan
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This memoir was reflective, honest, and full of beautiful prose. Jennifer Boylan takes us on a journey from boyhood to womanhood and all the stops between. With each chapter, she questions how one’s gender identity shapes or is shaped by the aspects of life. These chapters, such as food, friends, and history are a deep dive into Jennifer’s experiences and thoughts surrounding them. However, she has done so in a way that allows readers to reflect and connect to their own lives, loves, and losses. She also discusses how she's changed from coming out in 2000 to now and is shaped by society's ever-shifting opinions on being transgender. Alongside an unwavering commitment to raw honesty that I think everyone, not just trans people can relate to.
What makes Jennifer’s story truly stand out though is her writing style. Which felt less like a non-fiction memoir and more akin to spoken word. It was as though she was telling you her stories in real time, her unfiltered thoughts and commentary littered throughout the more concrete details. This chapter structure helped move the story along without getting muddled. The blocking and breaking up of topics helped me ponder the questions without being interrupted or distracted by a new name or event. This also helped as the book is non-linear, so I didn’t have to keep track of several time jumps at once. I did appreciate the mention of her privilege and how great of an impact intersectionality has on experiences transitioning. When queer white people do not acknowledge their privilege or trans ancestors, it honestly makes me want to put the book down. So, I was relieved to find that was not the case here.
All in all, this thoughtful and heartwarming memoir is a great read. From the stunning prose to the witty humor, you will not want to put it down. Not to mention wishing for an invite to have a homemade pizza and a glass of wine by her fire pit. If you like laughing and crying in the same chapter, you are in the right place. Happy reading!
TW: Depression, anxiety, transphobia, homophobia, death of a friend, misgendering.
Thanks so much to Celadon for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more sapphic reviews follow @the.lebian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and Tiktok
What makes Jennifer’s story truly stand out though is her writing style. Which felt less like a non-fiction memoir and more akin to spoken word. It was as though she was telling you her stories in real time, her unfiltered thoughts and commentary littered throughout the more concrete details. This chapter structure helped move the story along without getting muddled. The blocking and breaking up of topics helped me ponder the questions without being interrupted or distracted by a new name or event. This also helped as the book is non-linear, so I didn’t have to keep track of several time jumps at once. I did appreciate the mention of her privilege and how great of an impact intersectionality has on experiences transitioning. When queer white people do not acknowledge their privilege or trans ancestors, it honestly makes me want to put the book down. So, I was relieved to find that was not the case here.
All in all, this thoughtful and heartwarming memoir is a great read. From the stunning prose to the witty humor, you will not want to put it down. Not to mention wishing for an invite to have a homemade pizza and a glass of wine by her fire pit. If you like laughing and crying in the same chapter, you are in the right place. Happy reading!
TW: Depression, anxiety, transphobia, homophobia, death of a friend, misgendering.
Thanks so much to Celadon for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more sapphic reviews follow @the.lebian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and Tiktok