Pussified: A sex change story I didn't have the balls to tell

by Ina Ferencic

As an adult, Ina harboured a secret that she had kept from almost everyone but her close family and childhood friends. A confession of sorts, Pussified is an honest outpouring as Ina courageously comes out.

After a childhood diagnosis of mixed gonadal dysgenesis, she explores out loud, for the first time, the path she has never her journey from boy to girl. Ina shares her memories and explores the challenges she faced, the prejudices she encountered, and how the love and support of her late mother carried her through painful and depression-filled times.

This book is a raw and open diary, a reflection on growing up, a lesson in acceptance and a testament to the power of love. This story also shows how truly powerful and important self-honesty is, and how suffocating and claustrophobic closets inevitably get. You are in for a ride.

Genres: Nonfiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2022

About the author

I was born in 1988 in Croatia, as an intersex, predominantly male child. After a diagnosis of mixed gonadal dysgenesis and several years of medical supervision, a sex reassignment surgery - from male to female - was done at the age of six, which is the reason I am here now. This event is the core of my book Pussified: A sex change story I didn't have the balls to tell, and I am taking willing participants on a brief journey with me. You are in for a ride.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s bravery is to be celebrated and admired!

This is such an important topic, especially now. I learned so much through these pages. There are some profound life wisdoms thread throughout. Such as:

“The life that we live in is truly unparalleled, and it’s unfortunate that someday, it has to end. I guess that’s the reason it’s so special and precious — at one point, every person will cease to exist.”

“I believe that if you are good friends with someone, they should know the real you. Their value in your life qualifies them and gives them the right to know. So when you feel that the time has come, go for it. Take that weight off your shoulders and get rid of it. You’ve had it long enough.”

“We, as human beings, are remarkably adaptable. Many times, when we decide to take on a challenge, we end up laughing at the fear that we felt over the issue that, in the end, turned out to be relatively easy to overcome. Well, maybe it was not easy, but it was not unsolvable, either.”

I’m so glad I read this book!

[Paola Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to the author of this book for being so vulnerable and sharing their story with the world. ❣️We hear and see so much about voluntary sex changes and of course a lot of society is either accepting or against those, but we never as a society hear about those that don’t have an option but to undergo a sex change.
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This was a very quick read, but kept me interested. (Under 200 pages)
The whole thing was just something I never imagined I’d come across, much less ever even really thought deeply about. I do have respect for the parents who made the decisions that needed to be made, but I also 100% could tell how some of the events that took place were traumatic and hard for a child to face and overcome. This book felt as if I was sitting in a room with Ina and just having an honest and open conversation. I loved that.
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This book is free on KU, so check it out!

[IU_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had finished this book few months a go. This is devastating book where Ina don't have but to change her gender due to medical issues.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting and fascinating about a child who’s parents had to make the decision of what sex their child would be for the remainder of their life. People are amazing.

[Sara Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how to rate this so 4⭐️.
It was short and I wanted more detail, but the author tells her story with grace and positivity.

[Esmé · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in the story of an intersex person, this is good.

There is not really any other good reason to read it. Writing is generally a little worse than average. Writer is often preachy.

If you are a GSRM person, note that these topics are barely covered (with the obvious exception), there is regular use of outdated terms, and strong support for a number of known famous transphobes.

[GRAHAM BETH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ina Ferencic writes with the kind of raw honesty that makes you pause, breathe, and reread a sentence not because it’s confusing, but because it hits so deep. Pussified isn’t just a memoir, it’s a living, breathing journey through truth, identity, pain, and healing. This book will challenge your assumptions, move your heart, and leave you better for having read it. Highly recommended.

[Charlie Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I felt like Ina was speaking directly to me. Her vulnerability is stunning, and the strength it took to share this story shines through every chapter. It’s about much more than gender, it’s about love, resilience, and the human spirit. I walked away from this book with a deeper understanding of what it means to be seen. Do yourself a favour and read it.

[Susan Brassfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Pussified felt like being invited into someone's most private, sacred truths and trusting me enough to let me witness it. Ina Ferencic doesn’t sugarcoat her journey, and that’s exactly why it’s so gripping. The way she captures her relationship with her late mother brought me to tears. This isn’t just a memoir, it’s a mirror, a love letter, and a lifeline. An unforgettable read.

[Brittany Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something magnetic about Ina’s writing it’s unfiltered but never bitter, heartfelt but never overly sentimental. Pussified is the kind of book that you close and immediately want to tell your friends about. It reminded me how brave it is to live openly and authentically. Thank you, Ina, for sharing your truth. I’ll carry this one with me for a long time.

[Taymor Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tore down walls in my heart I didn’t even realize I had. Ina Ferencic shares not just her transition but the deeply emotional layers that come with becoming. Pussified is heartbreaking, uplifting, and eye opening. If you’re looking for a book that will move you this is it. Buy it, read it, and pass it on. The world needs more voices like Ina’s.

[John Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, brave, and beautifully human. Ina’s story is told with such honesty that it sticks with you long after the last page. This is more than a memoir, it’s a reminder of the power of love and self-acceptance.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw and emotional account of one woman’s journey to embrace her truth. Ina’s courage in sharing her experiences will resonate with anyone who has faced prejudice or felt the weight of hiding who they are. This memoir is powerful, heartfelt, and inspiring.

[Absolute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ina’s story is touching and thought-provoking. She doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments, yet her honesty shines as a source of empowerment. This memoir is a reminder of how important acceptance both from others and from ourselves truly is.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and profoundly human. Ina’s voice is both vulnerable and strong, and her willingness to share her struggles makes this an inspiring read. Pussified is the kind of memoir that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a testament to resilience. Ina’s story is deeply personal yet universally relatable, reminding us how powerful honesty can be. Her reflections are filled with both pain and hope, offering readers a window into her world with grace and candor.

[Stellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ina memoir is raw, heartfelt, and courageous. She shares her truth with such openness that it’s impossible not to be moved. Her journey is not only about identity, but also about love, loss, and the strength it takes to live authentically.

[C B · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting

I thought it was super interesting though I didn’t have any thoughts prior I feel that I’m a little more knowledgeable about intersex individuals now.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unforgettable read. Ina voice is tender yet strong, and her story reminds us why living authentically matters more than anything else.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as much about finding yourself as it is about surviving the world’s judgments. Honest, emotional, and deeply human.

[Sandra Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving testament to resilience. Ina courage in sharing her truth is inspiring, and her mother’s love shines like a steady light through every chapter.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking at times, uplifting at others. Ina takes you through her journey with unflinching openness. It’s rare to read something so personal and real.