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The Gender Games: The Problem with Men and Women, from Someone Who Has Been Both
'It's a boy!' or 'It's a girl!' are the first words almost all of us hear when we enter the world. Before our names, before we have likes and dislikes - before we, or anyone else, has any idea who we are. And two years ago, as Juno Dawson went to tell her mother she was (and actually, always had been) a woman, she started to realise just how wrong we've been getting it.
Gender isn't just screwing over trans people, it's messing with everyone. From little girls who think they can't be doctors to teenagers who come to expect street harassment. From exclusionist feminists to 'alt-right' young men. From men who can't cry to the women who think they shouldn't. As her body gets in line with her mind, Juno tells not only her own story, but the story of everyone who is shaped by society's expectations of gender - and what we can do about it.
Featuring insights from well-known gender, feminist and trans activists including Rebecca Root, Laura Bates, Gemma Cairney, Anthony Anaxagorou, Hannah Witton, Alaska Thunderfuck and many more, The Gender Games is a frank, witty and powerful manifesto for a world in which everyone can truly be themselves.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2017
138 people are currently reading
5956 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
March 17, 2018
In short: I loved every second of this. I adored the warmth, the humour, the pop culture reference, and how very very positive this was. I listened to the book as read by the author and I can only recommend this. Juno Dawson brings an absolute wonderful joy to this memoir that I just really needed.
Compared to other memoirs I read in my month of reading mostly memoirs, this was lighthearted and fun. This does not mean that Juno Dawson does not have a lot to say, which she does, brilliantly so. She just refuses to use a narrative of sadness for her own journey and I am glad. Coming out stories are not always awful and that gives me hope.
I agree with a lot of Juno Dawson’s thoughts on gender – and that felt nice because I am often the most radical in my social circle. I wasn’t at university (not by a long shot) but back in my small town and with in-laws who are very much of the opinion that boys and girls are fundamentally different and that girls should always wear pink (I am exaggerating, of course, but only a little) I do sometimes feel a bit weird. So listening to somebody who so very eloquently has similar thoughts was absolutely lovely.
I am around the same age as Juno Dawson and as such really appreciated a lot of her pop culture references a whole lot; I mean I was always going to love a book that references Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. I just had so much fun listening to this. Please do check this one out if you haven’t already.
Compared to other memoirs I read in my month of reading mostly memoirs, this was lighthearted and fun. This does not mean that Juno Dawson does not have a lot to say, which she does, brilliantly so. She just refuses to use a narrative of sadness for her own journey and I am glad. Coming out stories are not always awful and that gives me hope.
I agree with a lot of Juno Dawson’s thoughts on gender – and that felt nice because I am often the most radical in my social circle. I wasn’t at university (not by a long shot) but back in my small town and with in-laws who are very much of the opinion that boys and girls are fundamentally different and that girls should always wear pink (I am exaggerating, of course, but only a little) I do sometimes feel a bit weird. So listening to somebody who so very eloquently has similar thoughts was absolutely lovely.
I am around the same age as Juno Dawson and as such really appreciated a lot of her pop culture references a whole lot; I mean I was always going to love a book that references Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. I just had so much fun listening to this. Please do check this one out if you haven’t already.
February 6, 2018
Let me be clear, I don't think this is a badly written book.
I think this is one of those "It's not you, it's me." situations.
Juno Dawson's approach to this topic is funny and approachable and I find myself agreeing with her a lot.
I just really didn't gel with the overly familiar tone, the chatty, matey thing. I also felt a bit like she was preaching to the converted in a lot of cases and if I'm reading nonfiction it's because I'm trying to learn something new.
I think this book is perfect for teens questioning their own identity and sexuality and would be incredibly informative and supportive to them, but for me, I've read quite widely about gender, feminism and rape culture so it felt like a very shallow discussion on these topics for me.
To summarise, excellent author with a unique voice that sadly didn't mesh with me. Would recommend to teens or adults that wish to begin exploring gender.
I think this is one of those "It's not you, it's me." situations.
Juno Dawson's approach to this topic is funny and approachable and I find myself agreeing with her a lot.
I just really didn't gel with the overly familiar tone, the chatty, matey thing. I also felt a bit like she was preaching to the converted in a lot of cases and if I'm reading nonfiction it's because I'm trying to learn something new.
I think this book is perfect for teens questioning their own identity and sexuality and would be incredibly informative and supportive to them, but for me, I've read quite widely about gender, feminism and rape culture so it felt like a very shallow discussion on these topics for me.
To summarise, excellent author with a unique voice that sadly didn't mesh with me. Would recommend to teens or adults that wish to begin exploring gender.
February 2, 2018
This is a book I picked up on audiobook after hearing my friend Lauren talk about it. I was quite keen to find out more about Trans issues and being Trans, and I thought this sounded like it would be a great start point. Not only this, but the audiobook is actually narrated by the author herself and I love when the author narrates their own story as I think it really brings out the emotion.
Juno's story is probably not too dissimilar from many other UK-based trans people. I really liked seeing the perspective of someone who lives in the same country and, although Juno was born in a male body and therefore had male-privilege, I do think growing up our life experiences are more similar than someone who was from, say, USA etc. I found that there were many parts of the British culture which Juno referenced from her childhood when she was James, that I could relate to, and then when Juno spoke about her life as Juno later on and discussed the cons/pros of being a woman, again I felt I could relate.
What I liked about this book is that it's not just the personal story of Juno, but also her discovery of Feminism, Identity, Gender and much more. There's a whole load of mine-fields when it comes to political correctness and misconception over these topics, and Juno artfully describes her own experience with these, which was fascinating and eye-opening.
In the end, I think this is certainly a book worth reading and a story worth uncovering and I really do hope that more of these books start to be produced mainstream so that others who are trans or have gender-dysmorphia can find them. I also hope that those of us who are cis find these sorts of books too and we can understand more about the journey so we don't demean or undermine people's lived experiences. It's well worth a read. 4*s from me.
Juno's story is probably not too dissimilar from many other UK-based trans people. I really liked seeing the perspective of someone who lives in the same country and, although Juno was born in a male body and therefore had male-privilege, I do think growing up our life experiences are more similar than someone who was from, say, USA etc. I found that there were many parts of the British culture which Juno referenced from her childhood when she was James, that I could relate to, and then when Juno spoke about her life as Juno later on and discussed the cons/pros of being a woman, again I felt I could relate.
What I liked about this book is that it's not just the personal story of Juno, but also her discovery of Feminism, Identity, Gender and much more. There's a whole load of mine-fields when it comes to political correctness and misconception over these topics, and Juno artfully describes her own experience with these, which was fascinating and eye-opening.
In the end, I think this is certainly a book worth reading and a story worth uncovering and I really do hope that more of these books start to be produced mainstream so that others who are trans or have gender-dysmorphia can find them. I also hope that those of us who are cis find these sorts of books too and we can understand more about the journey so we don't demean or undermine people's lived experiences. It's well worth a read. 4*s from me.
October 7, 2020
Been sitting on this review for two months now, trying to land on a star rating, and how to articulate what I wanted to say. Ultimately, this is a good book that is part memoir and part feminist/social text about being transgender (with a focus on the UK), with some intersectional feminist ideas thrown in. It's also written in a very colloquial, humorous style that is very much not the norm for these kinds of books. This is what threw me, because I couldn't decide if the familiar/jokey tone helped or hurt the book, because it wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I was expecting you know, serious words for serious themes or some such rot. In the end, I think it's both, but it helped far more than it hurt. (This is obviously completely subjective.)
Ultimately, I think the tone helps with the overall design of the book, which is aimed not just at trans readers but for everybody else as well. It's meant to be humanizing and disarming, and I think that works. (There were just a few instances where I thought the joke went a bit far and cut into the points she was making. Then again, I'm sensitive to this because a friend of mine is always the one to take a joke too far. It's funny, and it's funny, and then it crosses the line and you want to hide your face, roll your eyes, that kind of thing.)
The Gender Games is a 2017 book by transgender author Juno Dawson. Though things have changed quite a bit in the cultural conversation surrounding gender, this book is still very relevant. Perhaps even more so right now, as a certain formerly beloved British author has been throwing her ignorant, uniformed views into the public conversation and making waves. Juno mentions in the book, and I have heard it elsewhere, that the single most important thing to people being understanding of trans issues is knowing a trans person. I certainly became much more aware after having multiple trans friends, online and off, because if someone you care about cares about something, the natural impulse is for you to care, too, and to be informed. For people who don't have anyone trans in their life, Juno (we are on a first name basis now because this book gets very personal) has written this book instead. Hopefully some of them will pick it up.
She does two things here: Telling the story of her life as it relates to Gender (which she personifies throughout the book), and using the opportunities presented by her story to explicate the ideas of Gender, sexuality, and other feminist and social issues, in plain language in a way that most people would be easily able to understand. She uses her real life stories or those of people she's met or interviewed to provide examples. In that way, it's a text that discusses intellectual, nearly academic, issues but in a very down to earth way. The main thesis of the book is that "we have all been fucked by Gender," which is a social construct, aka something completely made up by humans and therefore malleable, but which most of us inexplicably treat like hard and fast live or die rules. She takes full advantage of her perspective, having lived the first part of her life as a gay white effeminate man (with all the complex privileges and disadvantages that come with all her intersecting identities), and then later in life suddenly experiencing the view from the other side of the gender spectrum.
Because of her familiar tone, the book did at points feel messy, but overall this was a very intelligent and compassionate exploration (both personal and cultural) of Gender in today's social context. And she is funny, and has a very unique voice as a writer. As with anyone possessing a unique style, YMMV.
This would also be a good starting point if you know someone with a good sense of humor who wants to know more about trans people and trans experiences, or if you just want to read someone funny talking about gender and sexuality.
Ultimately, I think the tone helps with the overall design of the book, which is aimed not just at trans readers but for everybody else as well. It's meant to be humanizing and disarming, and I think that works. (There were just a few instances where I thought the joke went a bit far and cut into the points she was making. Then again, I'm sensitive to this because a friend of mine is always the one to take a joke too far. It's funny, and it's funny, and then it crosses the line and you want to hide your face, roll your eyes, that kind of thing.)
The Gender Games is a 2017 book by transgender author Juno Dawson. Though things have changed quite a bit in the cultural conversation surrounding gender, this book is still very relevant. Perhaps even more so right now, as a certain formerly beloved British author has been throwing her ignorant, uniformed views into the public conversation and making waves. Juno mentions in the book, and I have heard it elsewhere, that the single most important thing to people being understanding of trans issues is knowing a trans person. I certainly became much more aware after having multiple trans friends, online and off, because if someone you care about cares about something, the natural impulse is for you to care, too, and to be informed. For people who don't have anyone trans in their life, Juno (we are on a first name basis now because this book gets very personal) has written this book instead. Hopefully some of them will pick it up.
She does two things here: Telling the story of her life as it relates to Gender (which she personifies throughout the book), and using the opportunities presented by her story to explicate the ideas of Gender, sexuality, and other feminist and social issues, in plain language in a way that most people would be easily able to understand. She uses her real life stories or those of people she's met or interviewed to provide examples. In that way, it's a text that discusses intellectual, nearly academic, issues but in a very down to earth way. The main thesis of the book is that "we have all been fucked by Gender," which is a social construct, aka something completely made up by humans and therefore malleable, but which most of us inexplicably treat like hard and fast live or die rules. She takes full advantage of her perspective, having lived the first part of her life as a gay white effeminate man (with all the complex privileges and disadvantages that come with all her intersecting identities), and then later in life suddenly experiencing the view from the other side of the gender spectrum.
Because of her familiar tone, the book did at points feel messy, but overall this was a very intelligent and compassionate exploration (both personal and cultural) of Gender in today's social context. And she is funny, and has a very unique voice as a writer. As with anyone possessing a unique style, YMMV.
This would also be a good starting point if you know someone with a good sense of humor who wants to know more about trans people and trans experiences, or if you just want to read someone funny talking about gender and sexuality.
June 18, 2022
Dawson seems like a well-meaning person and if transitioning to a socially female identity makes them happy that’s fine and I’m glad it seems to have helped with some issues. However, this book is a garbled, contradictory mess that on the one hand roundly denounces sexist stereotypes about men and women and on the other embraces them whole-heartedly in order to make the idea of ‘gender identity’ something that can be adopted by a person of the other sex. To be fair to Dawson, this is entirely standard for the gender ideology espoused, but that doesn’t make it make sense.
Obviously the tone of the book is meant to be light and breezy. I personally found it cloying but easy to read. However the fluff and endless references to Spice Girls, Madonna etc conceal some harmful ideas around gender stereotypes, safe-guarding of children, and women’s rights. Dawson is particularly dismissive of the concerns of women and the interests of children and detransitioners.
There is a lot of flippancy around the impact this ideology has on children, particularly through medicalising young kids who experience gender dysphoria by putting them on “delicious” puberty blocking drugs that stop their development (including brain development) as Dawson laments not being able to become the typical “tiny, hairless and doe-eyed” woman because he was never given access to them. This despite the evidence showing that somewhere between 70-90% of gender dysphoric children will actually grow out of it as they go through puberty - if allowed to actually go through it that is. To be fair to Dawson, this was published in 2017 and I think information on the harm of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones on children and young people was far less easy to obtain, mostly because these are experimental treatments with limited studies to show the long-term effects.
There was also a great deal of strawmanning of gender critical (“Terf” as Dawson refers to them) arguments without honestly addressing their concerns (particularly around the impact biology actually has on people, and the impact of the erosion of safe spaces for women with the rise of gender self-ID) A number of illogical and unscientific claims were made, and I didn’t like the half-arsed pretence of academic rigour shown with the occasional footnote of partial citations but without an actual bibliography to double-check from.
So, overall, I think this is a good book to read to get an idea of the arguments trans activists are making, but actually has far more information on Dawson’s life as a young gay man before transitioning than anything to do with gender. For a far more rigorous, evidence-based and logical discussion of the topic of trans rights and gender ideology I recommend Trans by Helen Joyce and Material Girls by Kathleen Stock.
Obviously the tone of the book is meant to be light and breezy. I personally found it cloying but easy to read. However the fluff and endless references to Spice Girls, Madonna etc conceal some harmful ideas around gender stereotypes, safe-guarding of children, and women’s rights. Dawson is particularly dismissive of the concerns of women and the interests of children and detransitioners.
There is a lot of flippancy around the impact this ideology has on children, particularly through medicalising young kids who experience gender dysphoria by putting them on “delicious” puberty blocking drugs that stop their development (including brain development) as Dawson laments not being able to become the typical “tiny, hairless and doe-eyed” woman because he was never given access to them. This despite the evidence showing that somewhere between 70-90% of gender dysphoric children will actually grow out of it as they go through puberty - if allowed to actually go through it that is. To be fair to Dawson, this was published in 2017 and I think information on the harm of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones on children and young people was far less easy to obtain, mostly because these are experimental treatments with limited studies to show the long-term effects.
There was also a great deal of strawmanning of gender critical (“Terf” as Dawson refers to them) arguments without honestly addressing their concerns (particularly around the impact biology actually has on people, and the impact of the erosion of safe spaces for women with the rise of gender self-ID) A number of illogical and unscientific claims were made, and I didn’t like the half-arsed pretence of academic rigour shown with the occasional footnote of partial citations but without an actual bibliography to double-check from.
So, overall, I think this is a good book to read to get an idea of the arguments trans activists are making, but actually has far more information on Dawson’s life as a young gay man before transitioning than anything to do with gender. For a far more rigorous, evidence-based and logical discussion of the topic of trans rights and gender ideology I recommend Trans by Helen Joyce and Material Girls by Kathleen Stock.
June 15, 2021
Read it, especially if you are not trans. This helped me understand a lot of concepts I have not had to think about and always struggle to comprehend - as I cannot experience it.
So much general information is given in this book interwoven with her personal experience.
Just read it. The audiobook was very well done and it helped hear her read it as to not read and intonation that was not intended into it.
Loved it!
So much general information is given in this book interwoven with her personal experience.
Just read it. The audiobook was very well done and it helped hear her read it as to not read and intonation that was not intended into it.
Loved it!
March 13, 2023
*Re-read March 2023 - on a re-read, the writing here presents as a little immature, almost as though the book is aimed at the YA market, which is great as Juno's experience is such a great learning resource for young adults. I think for me though, I've read numerous superior texts on gender, rights and psychology, so I feel as though the subject has already been covered for me. Nevertheless, this is a good "all-rounder" if you're new to gender studies. It's quite funny and self-effacing but remember it is only one human's experience and doesn't reflect the story of everyone. A drop from 5 to 3 stars as the writing is average, not spectacular. This one is going to the library for donation.
Original review: I loved this book. Juno's Northern sense of humour runs deeply and resonated greatly with me throughout the book. A really interesting look at the role of gender in society, the difference between how men and women are perceived and treated all against the backdrop of Juno's story of her road to transition. She treats the subject with a smacking honesty yet with a sensitivity and grace.
Original review: I loved this book. Juno's Northern sense of humour runs deeply and resonated greatly with me throughout the book. A really interesting look at the role of gender in society, the difference between how men and women are perceived and treated all against the backdrop of Juno's story of her road to transition. She treats the subject with a smacking honesty yet with a sensitivity and grace.
November 11, 2018
It was really good but there were some minor things that bothered me so I don't want to give it 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this if you are interested in reading about feminism from a different perspective or am interested in trans issues.
October 6, 2017
Well I'm going to have to go for a second go, but YES, this was brilliant!!!
I listened to the audiobook (also read by Juno Dawson) who's voice is compelling.
It's wonderful, thought provoking and will leave you thinking for days.
I was touched by the honesty and no bullshit, take of Juno mind.
The audiobook is a delight as Juno is a pleasure to listen to and has a very emotive voice.
I giggled and talked to the audiobook out lout, it felt interactive. Like a good sit down and chin wag with a mate about life and the state of the world.
Covering topic from Gender, NHS, Rape Culture, Patriarch and Privilege. I was moved by Juno's repeated admittance that she, (growing up as a gay, white, man) had certain privilege, that other do not. But was not without discrimination herself.
I would love for this book to be read in schools, yes it has a chapter on sex, but it is not lurid. It is informative and emotional.
Seriously, read it, listen to it, devour it! A brilliant book and (as cliche as it may sound) an important one at that
I listened to the audiobook (also read by Juno Dawson) who's voice is compelling.
It's wonderful, thought provoking and will leave you thinking for days.
I was touched by the honesty and no bullshit, take of Juno mind.
The audiobook is a delight as Juno is a pleasure to listen to and has a very emotive voice.
I giggled and talked to the audiobook out lout, it felt interactive. Like a good sit down and chin wag with a mate about life and the state of the world.
Covering topic from Gender, NHS, Rape Culture, Patriarch and Privilege. I was moved by Juno's repeated admittance that she, (growing up as a gay, white, man) had certain privilege, that other do not. But was not without discrimination herself.
I would love for this book to be read in schools, yes it has a chapter on sex, but it is not lurid. It is informative and emotional.
Seriously, read it, listen to it, devour it! A brilliant book and (as cliche as it may sound) an important one at that
July 15, 2017
i enjoyed this
July 12, 2017
Juno made some really interesting points and this was thought provoking.
January 13, 2023
I thought I had a pretty open mind, but it has just been opened a little more by this combination of memoir and social commentary by transgender author Juno Dawson. In this book, Dawson details her thirty plus year journey to come to terms with being the woman she was meant to be, and also tackles the topic of the gender roles and stereotypes to which we are all subjected from the day we are born. She suggests that these gender norms don't really serve anyone, be they gay, straight, cis, trans or otherwise, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. In the title, she likens growing up in our gendered world to competing in the Hunger Games. She is very honest and open about her journey, and at times she discloses a little too much information for my comfort level, but that is my problem, not hers. The world in which she found herself was pretty rough at times, and the mother in me just wanted to take her home and protect her. She tackles some pretty serious subject matter in a very light and humorous way, and this is not a difficult or heavy read at all. She does get a bit long-winded at times, though, and I so wish she had a better relationship with punctuation, but that is part of her conversational style which I'm sure appeals to the teens for whom she normally writes.
February 6, 2018
This book was amazing! A great mix of Juno's experience transitioning from man to woman and her thoughts on gender issues and feminism. I loved that it was funny and sarcastic at times, but also that she let her emotion and anger shine through when talking about infuriating subject and behaviours. I didn't know anything about the trans culture (and still don't know much to be honest), but this book was eye-opening and a great and quick read.
September 26, 2019
I really enjoy it
January 4, 2020
It’s such a fun read. Wasn’t expecting it as the subject is serious, but it just oozes positivity. Definitely a must read!
July 19, 2021
She discusses a lot of topics. It was informative and interesting. However, some sections were a bit harder for me to get through. The writing style didn't always agree with me. Looking at other reviews, an audiobook might have been a better option.
April 8, 2022
The issue of gender is of personal interest to me, as a family member and one or two friends grapple with it on a daily basis. I've read many books and essays on the subject so was interested to see what this author had to say about it.
Fortunately this has become less of a taboo subject over the past few years, but still causes hostility and ridicule. This book is a bold attempt to address the issues, and from that point of view, works well. From a personal point of view, however, I didn't like the style – maybe I'm the wrong age to appreciate the chatty-let's-be-friends style; the language and sexual references don't bother me at all, but the chatty style did irritate me.
Without wishing to sound a Nelly Know All, the book didn't really tell me anything new, but people grappling with their own gender identity, or those with an interest but little knowledge, will probably find it interesting. I'm aware, now, that Juno Dawson is a successful author of teen fiction, and I feel this is also the target audience for this book.
My thanks to Amazon for a complimentary copy.
Fortunately this has become less of a taboo subject over the past few years, but still causes hostility and ridicule. This book is a bold attempt to address the issues, and from that point of view, works well. From a personal point of view, however, I didn't like the style – maybe I'm the wrong age to appreciate the chatty-let's-be-friends style; the language and sexual references don't bother me at all, but the chatty style did irritate me.
Without wishing to sound a Nelly Know All, the book didn't really tell me anything new, but people grappling with their own gender identity, or those with an interest but little knowledge, will probably find it interesting. I'm aware, now, that Juno Dawson is a successful author of teen fiction, and I feel this is also the target audience for this book.
My thanks to Amazon for a complimentary copy.
June 16, 2017
An interesting Read.
This book delivers a very good part-chatty memoir and part-introduction to gender and trans issues within society. Throughout the book it really made me think and want to go and read further into academic gender studies and look into some of social and political issues contemporary society raised within Dawson's book.
This book delivers a very good part-chatty memoir and part-introduction to gender and trans issues within society. Throughout the book it really made me think and want to go and read further into academic gender studies and look into some of social and political issues contemporary society raised within Dawson's book.
April 25, 2021
Excellent book for anyone looking for a funny, accessible read about gender issues, and trans topics in particular. Dawson is witty and engaging and really helped me understand how it is that women who transition as adults are NOT socialized as male. This was something I had trouble conceptualizing. Dawson always knew she was a girl and naturally looked for female role models in pop culture and internalized many of society's toxic messages about womanhood, just like any cis girl. Her best friends were all cis girls and after her first novel came out - which was before she transitioned - many people expressed surprise that someone who they thought was a cis gay man could write teenage girls so well. As Natalie Wynn (Contrapoints) once pointed out, socialization is not a passive process but a two-way street.
July 19, 2020
This is one of the best books I listened to. I'm really glad I listened to it as an audiobook.
This book of Juno Dawson was interesting and educational. I admire Dawson's strength and everything she done to come this far in life. She is a strong, smart and beautiful woman.
In my opinion, everyone should give this book a chance. I think everyone find something that they can learn here. Dawson tacles very important topics.
Not just regarding transsexuality and being transgender. It also focus on the entire LGBTQ+ community, bullying, mental health, feminism and everyday life of being a woman.
This book of Juno Dawson was interesting and educational. I admire Dawson's strength and everything she done to come this far in life. She is a strong, smart and beautiful woman.
In my opinion, everyone should give this book a chance. I think everyone find something that they can learn here. Dawson tacles very important topics.
Not just regarding transsexuality and being transgender. It also focus on the entire LGBTQ+ community, bullying, mental health, feminism and everyday life of being a woman.
May 12, 2021
I got more than halfway through and then stopped.
I think the topics that Dawson covers here are very important. But what I wasn't interested in was her sex life and social life. I just... wasn't, and a lot of it is that. At one point she asks her parents, if they are reading, to skip the next 200 pages or so because it's about her sex life.
I'm glad she has a great sex life, but I wasn't interested.
I do wish the author well, though, and I'm glad she was able to transition and be herself.
I think the topics that Dawson covers here are very important. But what I wasn't interested in was her sex life and social life. I just... wasn't, and a lot of it is that. At one point she asks her parents, if they are reading, to skip the next 200 pages or so because it's about her sex life.
I'm glad she has a great sex life, but I wasn't interested.
I do wish the author well, though, and I'm glad she was able to transition and be herself.
October 13, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. It is a deeply heartfelt and very candid autobiography about what it means to be a transgender woman in contemporary Great Britain. Juno Dawson allows the reader into her life when she traces her journey to transition and beyond. This is a serious book, but it is also, at times, uproariously funny or bitingly sarcastic.
I gave copies of this book away as gifts before I had finished it myself because I enjoyed it so much.
I gave copies of this book away as gifts before I had finished it myself because I enjoyed it so much.
September 4, 2021
This book makes me realize how fast things like terminology are changing. It was published in 2017 and reading it only 4 years later is wild. It holds some views I'm not sure Juno even still agrees with. Also showed me how set I am in my views, how up-and-ready to want to correct/criticize something I'm reading. Bothers me, tbh. It's tiring to always see faults in everything.
But yeah, the book was not bad.
But yeah, the book was not bad.
August 27, 2017
I enjoyed the book a lot, but there were instances when I disagreed with the author, especially parts about magazine analysis motherhood. Also, I wish I'd understand all references to the pop culture or people mentioned.. In this respect I'm so clueless!
December 4, 2021
Can't say I learned anything new, and I wanted to scream Just get to the point already! at some particularly rambley, long-winded parts, but overall I'm glad this book exists and I'm sure it'll help many people.
June 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this book.
I have only recently stumbled across Juno Dawson as an author as I heard on a podcast about her new book Meat Market which is a book I intend to read.
However, I knew nothing about Juno at this point and only when stumbling across this book (as I was very intrigued by the title), did I find out that Juno was a trans woman.
I think she offers lots of interesting observations, arguments and particularly on the points of gender, childhood and the way as a society we engage with gender did she make some really important points.
I don't agree with her views on women's magazines offering good things as I think they are still far too focused on celeb culture, stereotypes, diets, image etc. However, overall I think everything Juno writes about is really important.
The book worked really well as both a memoir/feminist text on gender and sexuality.
I learnt a lot about trans women and the LGBTQ+ community and it made me realize I don't really read/listen/watch many things related to the LGBTQ+ community and has made me interested to find more cultural things.
Would recommend to everyone interested in gender, feminism and personal memoirs.
I have only recently stumbled across Juno Dawson as an author as I heard on a podcast about her new book Meat Market which is a book I intend to read.
However, I knew nothing about Juno at this point and only when stumbling across this book (as I was very intrigued by the title), did I find out that Juno was a trans woman.
I think she offers lots of interesting observations, arguments and particularly on the points of gender, childhood and the way as a society we engage with gender did she make some really important points.
I don't agree with her views on women's magazines offering good things as I think they are still far too focused on celeb culture, stereotypes, diets, image etc. However, overall I think everything Juno writes about is really important.
The book worked really well as both a memoir/feminist text on gender and sexuality.
I learnt a lot about trans women and the LGBTQ+ community and it made me realize I don't really read/listen/watch many things related to the LGBTQ+ community and has made me interested to find more cultural things.
Would recommend to everyone interested in gender, feminism and personal memoirs.
February 18, 2021
Very much enjoyed this “accidental memoir” come social commentary. Juno raises important, thought inducing points on gender, sexuality and feminism (amongst other issues) in an accessible way with pop cultural references thrown in for good measure (Sex & The City, Rupaul’s Drag Race, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Spice Girls, Labyrinth and Bridget Jones to mention a few).
The warm humorous writing tone (unusual for a book on this topic) was very much endearing and enjoyed. I do think in some parts a bit more expansion of details into arguments and points would have have been welcomed (for me anyway)
In my opinion this book is an enjoyable read and a great introduction (for anyone) looking to broaden their knowledge into transgender issues.
The warm humorous writing tone (unusual for a book on this topic) was very much endearing and enjoyed. I do think in some parts a bit more expansion of details into arguments and points would have have been welcomed (for me anyway)
In my opinion this book is an enjoyable read and a great introduction (for anyone) looking to broaden their knowledge into transgender issues.
February 23, 2024
A mix of memoir and an examination of gender, focusing on trans issues particularly . There was a lot about how gender expectations and roles are limiting and harmful, how the patriarchy harms us all, and how feminism serves everyone. Dawson’s own life story was interesting, she’s a great storyteller and did an excellent job pulling from her own life experiences to illustrate various points.
She kept hitting on a pet peeve of mine though, at the beginning of the book she makes clear that sex and gender are different and male/female aren’t the same thing as man/woman. But then she spent the whole book using male/female as synonyms for man/woman which undermined her earlier point and was a misuse of language given that she was discussing gender and not sex
She kept hitting on a pet peeve of mine though, at the beginning of the book she makes clear that sex and gender are different and male/female aren’t the same thing as man/woman. But then she spent the whole book using male/female as synonyms for man/woman which undermined her earlier point and was a misuse of language given that she was discussing gender and not sex
November 28, 2019
Why we are all being messed up by gender, and what we can do about it. 'It's a boy!' or 'It's a girl!' are the first words almost all of us hear when we enter the world. Before our names, before we have likes and dislikes - before we, or anyone else, has any idea who we are. And two years ago, as Juno Dawson went to tell her mother she was (and actually, always had been) a woman, she started to realise just how wrong we've been getting it.
Gender isn't just screwing over trans people, it's messing with everyone. From little girls who think they can't be doctors to teenagers who come to expect street harassment. From exclusionist feminists to 'alt-right' young men. From men who can't cry to the women who think they shouldn't. As her body gets in line with her mind, Juno tells not only her own story, but the story of everyone who is shaped by society's expectations of gender - and what we can do about it.
Featuring insights from well-known gender, feminist and trans activists including Rebecca Root, Laura Bates, Gemma Cairney, Anthony Anaxagorou, Hannah Witton, Alaska Thunderfuck and many more, The Gender Games is a frank, witty and powerful manifesto for a world where what's in your head is more important than what's between your legs.
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The Gender Games by Juno Dawson shows you her life before she Transitioned and how her life started through the coming outs and as she Transitioned. Juno doesn't just talk about her transition and her life in this book she shows us two different worlds one how humanity treats cis white men and how humany treats cis white/black woman. She talks about feminism and how everybody should be a feminist. .
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In my opinion I loved this book and gave it 5/5 ⭐. It was fun reading it and I'm a huge fab of Juno Dawsons Books.
Gender isn't just screwing over trans people, it's messing with everyone. From little girls who think they can't be doctors to teenagers who come to expect street harassment. From exclusionist feminists to 'alt-right' young men. From men who can't cry to the women who think they shouldn't. As her body gets in line with her mind, Juno tells not only her own story, but the story of everyone who is shaped by society's expectations of gender - and what we can do about it.
Featuring insights from well-known gender, feminist and trans activists including Rebecca Root, Laura Bates, Gemma Cairney, Anthony Anaxagorou, Hannah Witton, Alaska Thunderfuck and many more, The Gender Games is a frank, witty and powerful manifesto for a world where what's in your head is more important than what's between your legs.
.
.
The Gender Games by Juno Dawson shows you her life before she Transitioned and how her life started through the coming outs and as she Transitioned. Juno doesn't just talk about her transition and her life in this book she shows us two different worlds one how humanity treats cis white men and how humany treats cis white/black woman. She talks about feminism and how everybody should be a feminist. .
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In my opinion I loved this book and gave it 5/5 ⭐. It was fun reading it and I'm a huge fab of Juno Dawsons Books.
October 25, 2020
I knew Juno Dawson because of her Dr Who stories first, but she's also an advocate for feminism and trans rights (alongside being really funny, too). This book is a memoir of her experience being brought up as a boy and living as a gay man before realising she was trans, as well as a wider discussion about how gender norms fuck us all over. It's very very good, please read it.
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