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Dragonfly: A Memoir
I was 51 years old when someone I’d never met spoke to me, using my voice. She had been locked away inside since I was a kid, a self I’d deemed too dangerous to be known to others. But the world had changed since she was imprisoned. My teenage child had made a different choice, had embraced their true self, and was living authentically.
Maybe I could too.
It took time, and a series of small steps, furtive experiments, reading, reflection, leaps of faith, risk of losses great and small, and commitment. But the journey of renewal, regeneration, and integration would change my emotions, my body, my relationships… even my name.
You are invited to take a front-row seat.
Maybe I could too.
It took time, and a series of small steps, furtive experiments, reading, reflection, leaps of faith, risk of losses great and small, and commitment. But the journey of renewal, regeneration, and integration would change my emotions, my body, my relationships… even my name.
You are invited to take a front-row seat.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2023
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 13, 2023
Just delightful
I started reading this a while ago as Marie would periodically post chapters as she wrote them on Facebook. I found myself just smiling, delighted. In chapter 54, Paola says:
“don’t know you but you are making me so happy right now. It couldn’t be any more obvious that you’re living your best life.”
I’ve known more than 6 trans folk over the years. (Marie says it’s 6 out of 1000 acquaintances are likely trans, just hiding it well). But never really learned so much so quickly about the process and issues (medical, social, political) around it. (Unless someone volunteers, why ask?).
Marie’s statistics are much smaller than I hear from some, and are much more likely to be correct. After all, she’s an engineer.
This story is truly delightful and works on many levels to introduce a topic that has become much more charged than it should be. I highly recommend it.
I started reading this a while ago as Marie would periodically post chapters as she wrote them on Facebook. I found myself just smiling, delighted. In chapter 54, Paola says:
“don’t know you but you are making me so happy right now. It couldn’t be any more obvious that you’re living your best life.”
I’ve known more than 6 trans folk over the years. (Marie says it’s 6 out of 1000 acquaintances are likely trans, just hiding it well). But never really learned so much so quickly about the process and issues (medical, social, political) around it. (Unless someone volunteers, why ask?).
Marie’s statistics are much smaller than I hear from some, and are much more likely to be correct. After all, she’s an engineer.
This story is truly delightful and works on many levels to introduce a topic that has become much more charged than it should be. I highly recommend it.
March 31, 2023
This review first appeared on Reedsy and on my blog - https://nsfordwriter.com - on 29th March 2023.
An inspirational and informative memoir of transitioning which raises awareness but lacks narrative flair.
An inspirational journey of transition, via trapeze, circus camp, software development, dancing, lots of friends, oh and the little black dress that begins the memoir! The author, Marie, is donating the proceeds of this book to non-profit trans organisations.
The memoir is mainly an exploration of self-discovery, focusing on how Marie transitioned from male to female somewhat late in life after lots of clues added up over the years. There are many admirable elements in this book, such as the positive outlook, friendly tone of voice, unflinching candour and also the parenting of a nonbinary teen. The structure, however, feels a little disjointed and is like a series of blog posts rather than a cohesive autobiography. Although the writing style is straightforward and therefore easy to read, it lacks the narrative flair that I enjoy in non-fiction reads. For example, almost near the end of the book, the author jokes that she killed a man (meaning her former identity). This would have been a great way to open the narrative and get the reader hooked. The structure should be more linear, instead of travelling back and forth the last few years with only occasional dips further into the past. Moreover, the content is sometimes too detailed, such as how many milligrams of hormone Marie had at various times, or replicating content from Reddit, or mentioning whenever she got her covid vaccines. It also shows Marie's particular experience from the viewpoint of privilege, such as having access to great healthcare in the US and trying lots of new experiences that not everyone would be able to afford.
I would recommend this book as a very personal perspective of transitioning, whether to better understand how it feels, or for a reader who is perhaps starting their own journey of self-discovery and wants some reassurance.
An inspirational and informative memoir of transitioning which raises awareness but lacks narrative flair.
An inspirational journey of transition, via trapeze, circus camp, software development, dancing, lots of friends, oh and the little black dress that begins the memoir! The author, Marie, is donating the proceeds of this book to non-profit trans organisations.
The memoir is mainly an exploration of self-discovery, focusing on how Marie transitioned from male to female somewhat late in life after lots of clues added up over the years. There are many admirable elements in this book, such as the positive outlook, friendly tone of voice, unflinching candour and also the parenting of a nonbinary teen. The structure, however, feels a little disjointed and is like a series of blog posts rather than a cohesive autobiography. Although the writing style is straightforward and therefore easy to read, it lacks the narrative flair that I enjoy in non-fiction reads. For example, almost near the end of the book, the author jokes that she killed a man (meaning her former identity). This would have been a great way to open the narrative and get the reader hooked. The structure should be more linear, instead of travelling back and forth the last few years with only occasional dips further into the past. Moreover, the content is sometimes too detailed, such as how many milligrams of hormone Marie had at various times, or replicating content from Reddit, or mentioning whenever she got her covid vaccines. It also shows Marie's particular experience from the viewpoint of privilege, such as having access to great healthcare in the US and trying lots of new experiences that not everyone would be able to afford.
I would recommend this book as a very personal perspective of transitioning, whether to better understand how it feels, or for a reader who is perhaps starting their own journey of self-discovery and wants some reassurance.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews