Geraldine

by Andrea Thompson

The story of a woman who changes the world that wants to change her.

Geraldine is born with an adventurer's heart. Whether it's escaping from boarding school in Rhodesia, or buying hormones from the local speed dealer in Weston-super-Mare, Geraldine is open to all the world has to offer— even if the world doesn't quite know what to make of her.

Arriving in Australia as an adolescent, Geraldine finds solace and self-discovery through music. As she grows into a woman, she not only inspires others but also learns to be accepted for who she truly is.

Genres: Fiction, Drama, Audiobook

428 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

**Thank you to Fremantle Press for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 4 March 2025**

This novel is about the titular character Geraldine and her journey from childhood in the 1970s to adulthood in the 2000s. Geraldine knows who she is and who she is supposed to be from a young age but that doesn't mean that those around her, and the rest of society, do. The storyline covers issues for and perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community that may be an eye-opener for anyone who hasn't experienced such things. The author does not do this in a preachy way at all, but rather does this by realistically outlining what life can be like physically and mentally for a gender diverse person. Closely interwoven with Geraldine's journey is her strong attachment to music and the important role it plays in her life.
Overall: a well-written novel about the struggles one can face just for trying to be themselves.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is a journey that will be joyous, confusing and confronting at times.
Born into a male body comes with expectations, social restrictions and a way of life.
Gerald knew from a very young age that a male body was wrong and identified as Geraldine.
A female trapped in a male form.
Geraldine lived a colourful childhood with the family moving to Zambia and then to Australia.
Life in boarding schools, living with a family that called her Gerald and a passion for music shaped and influenced a foundation for her to grow confidently into a successful woman.
Gradual wins boosted the confidence when her brother realised and respected the desire, when Doctors started to listen and assist and acceptance from her friendship tribe.
Rejection, adversity and laws hindered her journey but on the professional side she flourished in the music industry.
A refreshing story that helps enlighten and educate readers on the plight children and adults go through when they know they were not born the way they were supposed to be.
Navigating the journey came alive and Geraldine is in black and white now ready to help generations that will be confused and ready to be inspired.

[Haley Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine is raw and unflinching in its honestly and brutality. Geraldine herself is a realistic balance between a strong woman standing up for herself and not taking any shit, while internally holding herself to unrealistic standards and never being good enough. Talk about relatable.

This book perfectly captured the singular magic that music can have. There really is nothing like the feeling of finding a piece of music that speaks to you, especially during your heady teenage years.

I really appreciated the weaving of Geraldine coming of age in multiple ways. That finding her passion for music, along with her first found family gives her the courage to give voice to what she’s always known – that she’s a woman. Even when people weren’t ready to hear it, she was ready to show people who she is, come what may.

Thompson faces head on the realities of being transgender and Geraldine doesn’t have an easy time of it. Trigger warnings for transphobia in all its forms (physical is off the page and discussed after the fact), take care out there. The book also highlights the joy found in living your truth and was ultimately uplifting and hopeful.

Also, can we all please take a minute for the cover? Just stunning.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geraldine by Andrea Thompson follows the life of Gerald/Geraldine from the late 1960s when aged 4, Gerald has identified as female to herself while the world saw her as male. It is a gentle coming to terms with her differences as she navigates school and lack of friendship groups. Geraldine refuses to be defined by society and her adventurous spirit has her embracing her uniqueness. Highly intelligent, she convinces her brother's band to take her on as their manager. From here she becomes the go to person for new punk groups and is seen as a huge success. Her love of music means that once the family moves to Australia, she uses her skills to improve the local music scene. In the meantime, Geraldine is also fighting for the rights of the gay community and slowly realising her own gender diversity.
This book covers the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ from the 60s up to the 2020s. Thompson isn't preaching but gently outlining what life is for gender diverse people.
Well worth a read and very enlightening.

[Jedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable! i really enjoyed it just following along this person's journey in life, and how the identity of Geraldine is there from beginning to end, all in the female pronoun despite everyone else around using Gerald and he, etc. it made me also reflect on some really asshole moves on my part in the past where I've not really paid attention to people's current vs past identity names, and pronouns, maybe because I couldn't imagine what it's like to be them, and didn't realise how important it can be to get it right.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine by Andrea Thompson is an extraordinary historical novel that completely captivated me from the very first page. Geraldine's life story is one of courage, self-discovery, and resilience, and I couldn’t help but be swept away by her unflinching honesty and vibrant energy. From sneaking out of her home and boarding school, Geraldine’s fearless spirit is impossible not to admire. She’s unapologetically herself, even when the world struggles to figure her out.

The story also reveals the complex relationships within her family. Her parents, Frank and Grace, seem distant and detached, never truly understanding or supporting Geraldine in the ways she needs. They’re not all they seem, and their inability to connect with her creates a profound sense of isolation. However, her older brother, Harry, stands as a beacon of love and acceptance. He’s supportive of everything “our Geraldine” does, offering the kind of unwavering encouragement that is truly heart-warming.

What truly stands out, though, is the way this book explores Geraldine’s coming-of-age journey, especially the themes of identity, gender, and racism. As Geraldine grows, she must navigate the complexities of transitioning from “Gerald” to “Geraldine,” and Thompson beautifully captures her struggle to reconcile her true self with societal expectations and tough laws. Her identity remains as Geraldine throughout the novel, despite those around her calling her Gerald. The novel’s exploration of racism, especially during Geraldine’s time in Zambia, adds an important layer of depth, as she faces challenges that only strengthen her resolve to live authentically, using this background in her fight against bigots afraid of her gender diversity.

The way Thompson weaves Geraldine’s love of music into her personal growth was truly magical for me. Music becomes so much more than just a backdrop; it’s the key to unlocking her soul, helping her transform from "Gerald" into "Geraldine” for those around her. I found Thompson’s prose to be incredibly engaging, drawing me into each scene and allowing me to feel every emotion that Geraldine experiences along the way.

Geraldine is an incredibly heart-warming and life-affirming read that reminds us of the power of individuality. It’s a book that celebrates staying true to who you are, no matter the obstacles you face, and is especially important in today’s uncertain times.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Westhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have written and rewritten this review a couple of times and for some reason am finding it really hard, at first I didn't really love the book, but was invested enough to keep reading. I am really glad I did, Geraldine was really worth getting to know throughout her life, from when she announced to those closest that her name was Geraldine, endured the humiliation of a small town Doctor treating her like a naughty time wasting child, her different friendships and relationships, some beautiful and strong, some not so much.

I think I really got into the rhythm of the book when Geraldine moved to Australia, Geraldine was more comfortable within herself and really was a force to be reckoned with, she found the strength to stand up for herself and move away from her parent's control, which was never really horrible, but definitely dysfunctional. Still not truly "seen" by anyone this chapter in Geraldine's life would be her most important. Finding a platform to project herself from, even though this was not her intention, it gave Geraldine some purpose and meaning, it was powerful to read the phrase that the biggest compliment Geraldine could receive was that she was ordinary, as this was all she ever wanted to be. Becoming an accidental face of gay rights and gender diversity, Geraldine made some good friends in the right places, to help bring about laws, and then the improvement of those laws so that they didn't just look to be helping but were actually what she set out to achieve, this was as recent as 2002. Geraldine being her ordinary self somehow managed to allow people to see that she was an intelligent woman, who was just trying to make the world a safe place for everyone to live in.

It was an education but sadly not surprising to learn how hard the laws in WA were to live by for gender diverse and the LGBTQLA+ community, I applaud Geraldine for striving to be ordinary in a world that makes it very hard for someone like her to hide in plain sight. Thank you, Better Reading for the advance copy, again, I am reading something I may not have otherwise chosen.

[Cera Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A BOOK! I was taken on an intense heart tugging ride from the beginning, it’s impossible not to love Geraldine. A true representation of how gender diverse individuals are really like everyone else, no one is any different because of their identity and everyone has the power to change lives. Thank you Andrea for taking time to discuss the trans men behind the WA Gender Reassignment Act. The best thing we can do as queer people is to keep telling the stories of those who paved the way for us to exist in the world today.

[Shan Dante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geraldine offers an insightful portrayal of the trans experience through its fictional protagonist, tracing her life from the 1970s to the 00s. From birth, it is clear that Geraldine is different, yet not explicitly about her gender. We and the protagonist are immediately setup with understanding of her gender identity, and continue to explore their journey throughout life.

Throughout the novel, her identity is closely tied to the central theme of music, where expression, difference, and diversity serve as vital tools in her search for belonging. Geraldine even at one point struggles to see this when initially moving to Australia, stating the lack of new sounds and ideas in comparison the the UK. While she doesn't play music, she is guided by it and the people it serves throughout the story.

I probably found myself most engaged in the final third of the book, when Geraldine, now older, moves to Australia and becomes more politically active within the systems she must navigate. While transness is a core part of the novel’s narrative, it only becomes an agenda for Geraldine in response to the persistent lack of understanding and acceptance within society and its institutions.

It's a lot of fun, being from Perth, to see and hear the places that Andrew Thompson visits here in Western Australia. It is also equally as dissapointing to know the lack of support and hatred that it once emitted for queer people, and arguably still does to this day. The importance of community and art is something that shines throughout, and remains as the pivitol role in supporting those facing marginalisation when the systems we rely on fail us.

I initially got this for Pride Month, but just got sidetracked!

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a woman who changes the world that wants to change her.
Music is the medium to Geraldine’s heart and soul. Music is interwoven into the journeys that Geraldine has in the town in Yorkshire, living in Rhodesia (Zambia) , going to boarding school, and then finding a new life in Australia. She is a giver; she wants to keep everything to the world, in a world if it does not really understand her. Her identity is forged through music in world where gender diversity is not accepted.
Geraldine always knew that she was in the wrong body, and struggled with so many she did not see her identity as she did. Her brother Harry was partially her saviour in her early years, introducing her to music, and accepting her for who she was. It is in this first half of the book that we see just how much Harry's influence had on her and how much he cared for her. The second part of this book focuses more on Geraldine as an adult, where she reignighted her relationships in the music world, and realised the need to fight for equity and equality.
The way in which this book was written was very compelling. It highlighted some very tough times that Geraldine had to endure. It is her adventurous nature that opened her eyes to the world, and her curiosity that grew her tenacity. History in WA with respect to discrimination end diversity laws it was quite stark, and the way in which she had to fight these laws, even through her blood sweat and tears was harrowing. Her passion was the driving force of her courage in everything she did, and it really does give insight into the struggles of people trying to change more and community perception from the ground up, just for basic acceptance.
This is an intimate and compelling story of Geraldine’s journey to making the world a more accepting place for everyone.

[Fran Dishon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine by Andrea Thompson, what a gutsy read, of a coming-of-age journey of Gerald/Geraldine who at the age of 4 has identified herself as female in a world that identifies her as male. Geraldine has an adventurous nature form exploring her neighborhoods in England and Rhodesia, to during her adolescent years exploring music. Geraldine's love of music, begins to define the people in her life, sees her managing her brother's band, creating an exciting music scene in Perth, and becoming a successful manager for bands. Andrea character Geraldine is unapologetically herself even when society struggles to accept her identity. The journey from transitioning from Gerald to Geraldine highlights the struggle of Gender Diverse individuals, to be accepted, to get the medical support, and legal rights. From the doctor telling her not to waste his time, getting her hormones from the drug dealer, arrested and beat at the police station, to changing laws in Western Australia for gender diverse individuals. This book covers a range of issues that Geraldine faces from being true to one's identity, discrimination, isolation, and legal rights. The author tells this story in a very authentic and raw way, the ups and downs, and I found it to be a really engaging story, told in a very authentic nature. This is not a book I would normally choose to read, so thank you to Better Reading for a review copy of this book, it was so worth the read, interesting and insightful.

[Sue Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine was born on 16th May 1965 in Yorkshire, far from where she eventually settles in Australia. She had a brother, Harry, who is 5 years older than her and her parents Grace and Frank Stumer. Through her father’s jobs, they had moved to different countries for his work.
Geraldine had diphtheria and the one thing she could do while recovering was reading. She read everything she could get her hands on. Geraldine and Harry were shuffled from boarding school to boarding school and when she was 13 received her first record player. This turns her life around as she is bought into the music world.
Harry is in a band and she became their manager, organises gigs to play at. Geraldine meets up with the school bully, Patrick Burgess and he gets her into drugs – acid, speed and marijuana with Harry.
Later she decides she has had enough and wants to get fully into music.
Now 17 Geraldine arrives in Perth Australia in Nov 1981 where friends of the family Ada and George Williams, from where her parents knew them when they were in Zambia, pick her up. Their eldest son Jack takes Geraldine to meet a dealer and that is where she meets Claire.
Geraldine has different jobs but eventually gets into politics. But why?
#BRPreview @betterreadingau @andreathompson #Gerladine

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a READ. ‘Geraldine’ by Andrea Thompson is a difficult novel to categorise. It reads like a memoir but is so much more. Geraldine is born with the body of a boy but the soul of a woman and all she wants is to be seen as an ‘ordinary woman’. We follow her life journey through the 60s, 70s until the present day, from England to Rhodesia, back to England, and eventually to Australia. Her parents are distant, but her brother is, at times, her only friend introducing her to music. Geraldine finds herself in her love of music, uses it to follow her dreams, and supports so many others along the way. Her journey as a gender diverse person is cleverly portrayed and we learn about the struggle for legal acceptance in Western Australia, a struggle still going on today. Andrea’s knowledge of this journey rings true throughout the book. I found myself aching for Geraldine, and cheering her on as she pushed to be Geraldine, crying when she nearly gave up and delighting in her strength.
My thanks to Better Reading and Freemantle Press for a review copy of this book: one I may not have chosen to read, but I am so happy that I did.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine is the heartfelt new novel from Andrea Thompson, a music journalist, artist manager and promoter. Based on Andrea’s own experiences as a gender diverse woman growing up in the north of England in the sixties and finally settling in Western Australia, it’s an uplifting and hopeful story that is not without its tragedies and tension. I was completely riveted by the adventures of the charming and brilliant Geraldine.

Music is a major player throughout this book and I loved reading about Geraldine’s developing musical tastes and her involvement with promoting bands, both in England and then later in Australia. Her family relationships were also intriguing, her parents disinterest in her and her wonderful relationship with her older brother who supported her musical interests. There were some incredibly adventurous moments such as their escape from boarding school in Rhodesia and sneaking out to see bands at local venues which had me giggling and cheering them on.

The book also touched on some significant moments for gender inclusivity in Western Australia which added historical context to Geraldine’s experiences.

I loved getting to know this fabulous trailblazing character and highly recommend the audiobook superbly narrated by Annie Aldington. It’s an uplifting and hopeful novel full of musical references.

[Rhiannon G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine is not the type of book I would normally go for, but I'm glad I did. It was a fascinating ride, full of ups and downs and loop-de-loops, intense and soft in places. A story of identity and the fight for the right to be named and treated how you truly are inside. Andrea says she'll never tell which parts are biography and which aren't, which I love - keeps me guessing! But regardless I feel like she has the smarts and experience to back everything up, it was all handled so wonderfully. And the themes of music in 1970s-90s England and Australia were woven masterfully in there too.

[Janet Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was the stories of migration and of music that resonated with me, and the story of the difficulty society chooses to have over things that, frankly, are no one else's business that stayed with me. Wonderfully written and evocative, the story of a life that should be ordinary - yet may end up being extraordinary?

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favourite lines:
"Well, you are in a different world, remember? said Lucas. This is Australia.
Geraldine looked at him, her eyes narrowed.
But it's second-rate, she said.
No, said Lucas, it's Australia. Maybe you just don't get it?"

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

anyone got a spare tissue?

[Ann Strautins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first half slow but when the setting became my home place I became more engaged.

[Amanda Rowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. lots of interesting music/gender rights history included

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling story about a woman just wanting to be ordinary.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a journey Geraldine took me on.

Full review to come.

[Tianne Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our dear Gerald has an interesting story of growing up. From England to Zambia and navigation to the main Interest Music. This book gives not only a rare light on Gender and who they really are when at 15 Gerald announces to a doctor they know they have been a girl since age 4. Boarding school didn’t change this but music is where one was comfortable and could share.
This is a rarer book that looks and handles this subject. Will be very widely accepted by many as well.
Thank you to BetterReading for this ARC