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Morbid Obsessions
The histories of the trans and sex worker rights movements are closely intertwined and, particularly in the UK, it’s rare to find a carceral feminist who isn’t also a rabid transphobe. What does it mean to write as part of a community that is under attack? Where, in fiction, is the line between exploring harmful ideology and humanising it?
In Morbid Obsessions, Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren explore these questions and talk about the crossover in the ways they chose to approach them in their novels Tell Me I’m Worthless (Cipher Press) and The Service (Influx Press), covering the pornographic interest in sex workers and trans women, online violence, moral panic, creative representation, and paying tribute to sex worker and trans activism through fiction.
Frank, funny, and hopeful, and featuring two new stories and an introduction by writer and historian Morgan M. Page, Morbid Obsessions is an urgent and vital conversation about making art as collective struggle.
In Morbid Obsessions, Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren explore these questions and talk about the crossover in the ways they chose to approach them in their novels Tell Me I’m Worthless (Cipher Press) and The Service (Influx Press), covering the pornographic interest in sex workers and trans women, online violence, moral panic, creative representation, and paying tribute to sex worker and trans activism through fiction.
Frank, funny, and hopeful, and featuring two new stories and an introduction by writer and historian Morgan M. Page, Morbid Obsessions is an urgent and vital conversation about making art as collective struggle.
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2022
2 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 29, 2022
Big Issue review here: https://www.bigissue.com/culture/book...
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January 6, 2024This was such an interesting and important conversation to read. I have seen some people criticise Tell Me I’m Worthless for feeding into TERF ideology and I urge those people to give this book a read to get a better insight into Alison Rumfitt’s thinking and intention behind her novel. Natalia Santana Mendes’ interview at the end was also incredibly moving and powerful.
October 31, 2022
Short but important read from these two UK power houses who are trying to ensure human rights for all. "you cannot criminialize people out of poverty" are strong and true words. The Nordic Model does not work for prostitution as it leaves the folks doing the work in more dangerous situations.
Both the trans and the sex worker community are fetishized and that is a big part of the problem.
Both the trans and the sex worker community are fetishized and that is a big part of the problem.
April 26, 2023
Heavy but necessary. Alison & Frankie’s words glow as ever. Natalia completely moved me. 89 very important pages !
February 25, 2025
This was a refreshing read - the first piece of fantasy/fiction that I read which is centred on sex work and the trans community. Short, shocking and sweet. I particularly enjoyed the candid exchange of emails between Miren and Rumfitt at the end of the book, it really reminded me of the conversations that I shared whilst at LSE - I do miss those days.
November 12, 2022
4 / 5 stars
An interesting book by Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren. It contains two short stories, 'Mother' by Miren and 'A Unique Case of British Disease' by Rumfitt which are both distinct but complementary. It’s then followed by a discussion from both authors about the current situation regarding SWERFs and TERFs.
Alongside this, they discuss similar themes in their books The Service and Tell Me I’m Worthless. They speak about creating a character whose views are so antagonistic to their own beliefs and their existence. Their identities as a sex worker (Miren) and trans woman (Rumfitt) allows them to have a conversation regarding overlap in SWERF and TERF ideologies as well as the ethics of writing about trauma.
The book concludes with an interview with Natalia Santana Mendes, a trans sex worker from Brazil who passed in March 2021. This adds some additional insights outwith the UK context and discusses similar themes to the discussion between Rumfitt and Miren but from Mendes perspective in Brazil. She speaks about the struggles she faced in Brazil both in wider society as well as more personally with her family whilst highlighting the importance of community and organising together to create a better world.
An interesting book by Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren. It contains two short stories, 'Mother' by Miren and 'A Unique Case of British Disease' by Rumfitt which are both distinct but complementary. It’s then followed by a discussion from both authors about the current situation regarding SWERFs and TERFs.
Alongside this, they discuss similar themes in their books The Service and Tell Me I’m Worthless. They speak about creating a character whose views are so antagonistic to their own beliefs and their existence. Their identities as a sex worker (Miren) and trans woman (Rumfitt) allows them to have a conversation regarding overlap in SWERF and TERF ideologies as well as the ethics of writing about trauma.
The book concludes with an interview with Natalia Santana Mendes, a trans sex worker from Brazil who passed in March 2021. This adds some additional insights outwith the UK context and discusses similar themes to the discussion between Rumfitt and Miren but from Mendes perspective in Brazil. She speaks about the struggles she faced in Brazil both in wider society as well as more personally with her family whilst highlighting the importance of community and organising together to create a better world.
March 4, 2024
Morbid Obsessions dives into the intersection of fiction, feminism, and social issues, exploring the challenges faced by authors tackling sensitive topics like sex work, trans activism, and online violence, offering a frank and hopeful perspective on making art amidst collective struggles.
The book opens with an introduction by writer and historian Morgan M. Page, followed by two exclusive short stories (of fiction), a conversation between the authors Miren and Rumfitt, and an exclusive interview with Brazilian trans sex worker Natalia Santana Mendes.
This is a brief but impactful and necessary read, highlighting importance of community networks, the necessity of speaking up against TERFS and SWERFS ideologies, and the vital urgency of using art to convey testimonials of struggles, spreading awareness and inspiring change.
I haven’t read the fiction debut novels by the authors in this conversation, but now I desperately want and need to. They are: “The service” by Frankie Miren and “Tell me I’m worthless” by Alison Rumfitt.
If you have read them, this book is a definite companion that should be on your radar.
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The book opens with an introduction by writer and historian Morgan M. Page, followed by two exclusive short stories (of fiction), a conversation between the authors Miren and Rumfitt, and an exclusive interview with Brazilian trans sex worker Natalia Santana Mendes.
This is a brief but impactful and necessary read, highlighting importance of community networks, the necessity of speaking up against TERFS and SWERFS ideologies, and the vital urgency of using art to convey testimonials of struggles, spreading awareness and inspiring change.
I haven’t read the fiction debut novels by the authors in this conversation, but now I desperately want and need to. They are: “The service” by Frankie Miren and “Tell me I’m worthless” by Alison Rumfitt.
If you have read them, this book is a definite companion that should be on your radar.
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 13, 2023
The conversation at the end was fascinating to read, really sucked me in and gave me a lot to think about (and further evidence that one of my prpject ideas for an article has legs)
January 17, 2025
Forgot to log this and I read it so slowly and fragmented but I still think about it to this day
November 8, 2022
Dream colab tbh ♥️
March 30, 2023
Really enjoyed this one for its insightful comments on writing from and about marginalised experiences. The conversation between Miren and Rumfitt was full of super interesting perspectives, particularly surrounding how experiencing and opening up in public about trauma is so often considered necessary to prove one's credentials in order to write, and how this can lead to further harm being perpetuated - both writers discuss the Isabel Fall disaster of a few years ago, and how Fall's treatment by both the Left and Right ultimately silenced her.
I also found the discussions about the similarities and overlaps between SWERF and TERF ideology really insightful. It's not exactly news that there's a lot of shared rhetoric there, but Miren in particular really articulated their purist view of what a woman is or should be, and how this leads to the marginalisation of women who are perceived by SWERFs and TERFs to essentially be betraying womanhood. Rumfitt's points about JKR in particular appealing to and identifying with the average 'woman and mother' whilst being a billionaire who's completely removed from these average experiences were also really thoughtful.
Neither short story was entirely to my taste, but that's my own fault for never quite being able to get into short stories. I found Rumfitt's to be a bit on the nose, but then I thought the same about her novel and I'm definitely in the minority there, so maybe I'm just not picking up on some of the nuances.
Thoroughly recommend this one, and the only reason I can't quite bring myself to give it 5 stars is because I do think it suffered from being so short. Both authors have so much to say that it sometimes felt a bit unfinished.
I also found the discussions about the similarities and overlaps between SWERF and TERF ideology really insightful. It's not exactly news that there's a lot of shared rhetoric there, but Miren in particular really articulated their purist view of what a woman is or should be, and how this leads to the marginalisation of women who are perceived by SWERFs and TERFs to essentially be betraying womanhood. Rumfitt's points about JKR in particular appealing to and identifying with the average 'woman and mother' whilst being a billionaire who's completely removed from these average experiences were also really thoughtful.
Neither short story was entirely to my taste, but that's my own fault for never quite being able to get into short stories. I found Rumfitt's to be a bit on the nose, but then I thought the same about her novel and I'm definitely in the minority there, so maybe I'm just not picking up on some of the nuances.
Thoroughly recommend this one, and the only reason I can't quite bring myself to give it 5 stars is because I do think it suffered from being so short. Both authors have so much to say that it sometimes felt a bit unfinished.
December 28, 2024
Morbid Obsessions is a short but captivating read, featuring a fantastic introduction by Morgan M. Page, followed by short stories, a conversational exchange, and an interview. The two authors, Frankie Miren and Alison Rumfitt, respectively tackle the topics of sex work and transgender people and their intersection with fiction, feminism, and social issues expertly.
Not only does it explore the current political climate surrounding sex work and transgender people, especially with the rise of Mumsnet and SWERF/TERF ideology, but it also delves into their experience with writing about the topics.
At times this book is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. It's also so important to have literature like this at a time when marginalised communities are under threat. It also highlights how SWERF & TERF beliefs share the same roots, and there are many crossovers with the language and ideology.
My only criticism is that there isn't more. I'd have loved to read more from both authors or more interviews with other people from either sex work or trans communities. The sole interview in this book, with Natalia Santana Mendes, a Brazilian trans sex worker, was absolutely eye-opening and moving.
As a transwoman, this book really struck a chord with me, and I'd mark it as a must-read for anyone and everyone. It really highlights the importance of community, conversation, and art for spreading change and for activism. 5/5.
I'm also a pre-existing fan of both authors, so reading the "behind-the-scenes" and the thought process that went into writing their novels was interesting.
Not only does it explore the current political climate surrounding sex work and transgender people, especially with the rise of Mumsnet and SWERF/TERF ideology, but it also delves into their experience with writing about the topics.
At times this book is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful. It's also so important to have literature like this at a time when marginalised communities are under threat. It also highlights how SWERF & TERF beliefs share the same roots, and there are many crossovers with the language and ideology.
My only criticism is that there isn't more. I'd have loved to read more from both authors or more interviews with other people from either sex work or trans communities. The sole interview in this book, with Natalia Santana Mendes, a Brazilian trans sex worker, was absolutely eye-opening and moving.
As a transwoman, this book really struck a chord with me, and I'd mark it as a must-read for anyone and everyone. It really highlights the importance of community, conversation, and art for spreading change and for activism. 5/5.
I'm also a pre-existing fan of both authors, so reading the "behind-the-scenes" and the thought process that went into writing their novels was interesting.
December 12, 2025
this review obviously isnt low bcs of political reasons
i was not a fan
when i bought this at the book at the book fair i was led into thinking it was a collection of short stories written by sex workers the transgang with the forefront theme being body and inhabiting body in relation to both internal shame and self hatred and outside violence and plain hatred
in reality it was two fictional stories one about mumsnet the other about jk rowling which were not bad but at the same time were nothing special
as i was expexting more stories i got hit w the majority of the book which is a conversation between the two short story authors. this is okay if it hadnt been so shallow. it felt like i was reading a woke conversation at the pub which is all fine and good if im having a woke conversation at the pub but once i realized what rhe vibe of the book was i was expecting more depth within this conversation, not:
“jkr bought her children huge tree houses to live in, for chrusts sake. i think the ability to do that means you functionally dont have anything in common with a woman who can barely afore to buy her kids a christmas present” yes i agree “you are a woman still you are a mother but you are not a woman and a mother” um. this is in the middle of something and is not referenced again before or after to build on either an argument or a point. its just that. and that was kind of the vibe throughout
the interview at the end with brazilian trans sex worker natalia santana mendes was goof and interesting
i was not a fan
when i bought this at the book at the book fair i was led into thinking it was a collection of short stories written by sex workers the transgang with the forefront theme being body and inhabiting body in relation to both internal shame and self hatred and outside violence and plain hatred
in reality it was two fictional stories one about mumsnet the other about jk rowling which were not bad but at the same time were nothing special
as i was expexting more stories i got hit w the majority of the book which is a conversation between the two short story authors. this is okay if it hadnt been so shallow. it felt like i was reading a woke conversation at the pub which is all fine and good if im having a woke conversation at the pub but once i realized what rhe vibe of the book was i was expecting more depth within this conversation, not:
“jkr bought her children huge tree houses to live in, for chrusts sake. i think the ability to do that means you functionally dont have anything in common with a woman who can barely afore to buy her kids a christmas present” yes i agree “you are a woman still you are a mother but you are not a woman and a mother” um. this is in the middle of something and is not referenced again before or after to build on either an argument or a point. its just that. and that was kind of the vibe throughout
the interview at the end with brazilian trans sex worker natalia santana mendes was goof and interesting
May 21, 2023
"For a while I just assumed I'd be dead by now, and I'm not, which can be quite confusing."
Sometimes you read a book that just...speaks to you. That tells you everything you needed to hear and more. This is one of those books.
Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren's short stories, that make up the first half of this text, are horrific screams about the intersectional oppression faced by both trans people and sex workers.
These screams develop into a thoughtful, and hopeful, conversation between the two authors, where they discuss these continuous ideologies of SWERFs and TERFs, and the complications of exploring right-wing viewpoints through fiction.
Finally, we end with an interview from the late Natalia Santana Mendes, whose eloquence and urgency regarding the rights of QTBIPOC sex workers brings to the fore the necessity for community in the struggle against oppression.
Sometimes you read a book that just...speaks to you. That tells you everything you needed to hear and more. This is one of those books.
Alison Rumfitt and Frankie Miren's short stories, that make up the first half of this text, are horrific screams about the intersectional oppression faced by both trans people and sex workers.
These screams develop into a thoughtful, and hopeful, conversation between the two authors, where they discuss these continuous ideologies of SWERFs and TERFs, and the complications of exploring right-wing viewpoints through fiction.
Finally, we end with an interview from the late Natalia Santana Mendes, whose eloquence and urgency regarding the rights of QTBIPOC sex workers brings to the fore the necessity for community in the struggle against oppression.
September 18, 2024
Idk how I could possibly critique this, two amazing short stories and an amazing convo with two of today's most underrated new writers about taboo topics that the whole world seems to have a PhD in these days but are rarely given a platform to hear from the people who are actually a part of those topics. And not to forget the very insightful interview with a late Brazilian trans sex worker which could empower and enrage anyone with a heart
June 26, 2024
i think this book will have a very special place in my heart forever;
from the short stories, to the letters between miren + rumfitt + lastly, the powerful words natalia santana mendes shared; viva a alianca das mulheres, indigenas, negras e trans. fica com deus. rest in peace natalia santana mendes
from the short stories, to the letters between miren + rumfitt + lastly, the powerful words natalia santana mendes shared; viva a alianca das mulheres, indigenas, negras e trans. fica com deus. rest in peace natalia santana mendes
May 31, 2023
Banger - both stories were good and brutal. But what really affected me and made me absolutely sob is the interview at the end with Natalia Santana Mendes - beautiful, tragic, filled with such clarity of thought and purpose.
Cipher continues to make great decisions.
Cipher continues to make great decisions.
December 14, 2023
Well written,interesting book( again not my usual genre,but knowing one of the authors was reason for reading) I just wish they had included a glossary of the acronyms at the back of the book. As a lot are used and for the uninitiated it would really help.
September 30, 2022
Loveeeee. Two brilliant authors, couldn't have asked for anything better.
November 5, 2022
Good insight into topics behind Alison and Frankies books, just wish I read tell me I’m worthless and the service before I read morbid obsessions.
I just wish it was longer
I just wish it was longer
December 2, 2022
Fantastic. No notes.
March 20, 2023
The chat between Frankie and Alison was my favourite bit - so smart! So insightful!
August 8, 2023
3.5 stars
October 14, 2024
disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher - thoughts at https://thetransfemininereview.com/be...
October 27, 2024
this was frikken fantastic 🤓💗
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews