REVIEW: Detransition Baby, by Torrey Peters

Detransition Baby

Torrey Peters, 2021

*skip the 3rd paragraph to avoid minor spoiler

Detransition Baby is a book about navigating adulthood in twenty-first century New York — and, of course, transition. This is why I picked it up, and likely the reason I enjoyed it so much. Predictably, the book is partly a meditation on gender identity, which I greatly enjoyed. The plot is non-linear — which was very effective. It jumps from modern day to flashbacks, slowly drip-feeding the reader formative stories from the main characters' history, and expertly delivering emotional impact that one can only really pull off in the form of a novel. The story centres around three characters: Ames, a detransitioned (male-to-female-to-male) man; Katrina, his girlfriend (and also his boss); and, of course, Reese, who is the heart of the novel.

I started the book disliking Reese: to me, she was melodramatic, honest to a fault, and her whole identity seemed to be based on the fact that she was trans. But as the story went on, it became clear that she was the emotional core of the novel, with a complex variety of wants and needs that the cruel cityscape of New York was unwilling to provide. I struggled to like her in the beginning — even whilst picturing her as Reese Witherspoon — but by the end of the novel, I adored her. Peters has created a wondrously complex and unpredictable protagonist who was a joy to journey with.

Personally, I loved Ames' meditations on gender. Peters deals with the topic of bodily dissociation with remarkable depth and sensitivity, and I found myself understanding Ames' choices before they even made them. There is a gut-wrenching scene towards the end of the novel, when Ames' decision to detransition suddenly makes a lot more sense. This was a huge moment of revelation that cuts deep in the context of today's heated discussion on trans acceptance and trans rights. It's cliche, but I am reminded of the phrase 'we live in a society': our identities, as much as we don't want them to be, are contingent upon the communities we live in. One's gender isn't necessarily a fixed binary, despite what the world may tell you.

I would recommend this book to anyone in the queer community — there's a lot to relate to! And, for that matter, I would recommend it to anyone who is curious to learn more about gender and sexuality. Overall, Detransition Baby is a bold, funny, and heartfelt novel that offers a uniquely trans take on the well-trodden comedy and drama genres.

4 stars

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Written by: Millie Bysh

Instagram: @leoninepixie

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Publisher's note: All reviews published with Eudaemonia Records have been viewed and commented on by our editors. Ultimately, however, we believe that it is the writer's decision to accept or reject any suggestions made by the editors, and therefore take no responsibility for the final product.