What do you think?
Rate this book
Man into Woman: The First Sex Change
English, Pages 337. Reprinted in 2016 with the help of original edition published long back[1923]. This book is in black & white, Hardcover, sewing binding for longer life with Matt laminated multi-Colour Dust Cover, Printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, there may be some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. (Customisation is possible). Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions. Original Man into Woman 1923 [Hardcover], Original Niels Hoyer
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1931
197 people are currently reading
5917 people want to read
About the author
Lili Elbe
6 books47 followersLili Ilse Elvenes, better known as Lili Elbe, was a Danish transgender woman and one of the first identifiable recipients of sex reassignment surgery. Elbe was born Einar Magnus Andreas Wegener and was a successful artist under that name. She also presented as Lili (sometimes spelled Lily) and was publicly introduced as Einar's sister. After transitioning, however, she made a legal name change to Lili Ilse Elvenes and stopped painting. It is highly likely that Elbe was an intersex person.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 19, 2013
There are several factors that together make this book amazing. The writing isn't exceptionally good but combined with the fact that Lili Elbe is the actual author behind her novel-like biography AND the fact that this is also the first real transgender themed work ever, this book becomes immensely interesting to read.
What also makes this book interesting is that Elbe lived in a time where it generally wasn't even thought to be possible to change one's gender (even Elbe originally thought otherwise), she was one of the pioneers. And the insight into her thoughts are truly amazing. Her emotions, her struggles... it all left a really big impression on me.
And although it is a story of struggles, it is also a wonderful story.
This book really leaves you in deep thought, whether it's about her actual life story or about the way she has chosen to present this story through her writing as stylistic/fictional elements clash with reality.
I really recommend this book, it was a great read.
What also makes this book interesting is that Elbe lived in a time where it generally wasn't even thought to be possible to change one's gender (even Elbe originally thought otherwise), she was one of the pioneers. And the insight into her thoughts are truly amazing. Her emotions, her struggles... it all left a really big impression on me.
And although it is a story of struggles, it is also a wonderful story.
This book really leaves you in deep thought, whether it's about her actual life story or about the way she has chosen to present this story through her writing as stylistic/fictional elements clash with reality.
I really recommend this book, it was a great read.
January 6, 2016
A good book. It changed the way I look at LGBT, I didn't really feel disgust or indignation toward them, it was more like disbelief caused by ignorance on my part. Now I only have compassion, understanding & sympathy for them.
January 2, 2016
I decided to pursue more information on the life of Lili Elbe after reading Ebershoff's "The Danish Girl." Hoyer's "Lili" provides a collection of letters and diary entries written by Elbe herself, from the time before her transition and afterwards. Though the names had been changed to preserve anonymity, Lili is still Lili. That much cannot be changed.
She writes mainly to her wife, Gerda, as well as to friends. Her writings initially depict her sorrow, her struggle to become Lili, and later her excitement and love for life after Lili was found. I felt as if I truly came to know her throughout the book, and I was left in tears by the time I finished. It was like I had lost a friend.
She writes mainly to her wife, Gerda, as well as to friends. Her writings initially depict her sorrow, her struggle to become Lili, and later her excitement and love for life after Lili was found. I felt as if I truly came to know her throughout the book, and I was left in tears by the time I finished. It was like I had lost a friend.
February 12, 2016
Sometimes I really hate computers. I wrote a lengthy and thoughtful review and my computer ate it before it got posted. So let me try again.
I saw the movie “The Danish Girl” and loved it. But it made me very curious and interested to read the book on which the movie was based. The original book was called “Man Into Woman, The First Sex Change”, and was first published in 1933. As is the usual case in our capitalist universe, an “updated and expanded” version of the book was recently released as a tie-in to the movie. That is not what I wanted to read. I wanted to read the original 1933 version. Not easy to find, let me say. I finally tracked it down from a bookseller through Amazon UK, and it was worth the effort. The original book was edited by Lili’s good friend Niels Hoyer. Hoyer compiled the book from a variety of Lili’s correspondence and journal entries, and letters to Lili written by family and friends, and then filled in the rest of the story with his narrative in order to tie it all together. Lili's thoughts and words cut me deep. I was mesmerized by Lili’s inner conflict, her wishes, and her internal struggle to figure out how to become her real self in a place and a time where such transformation was unheard of. The book shows who Lili was in a deeper and truer way than a movie could possibly capture. I found this book absolutely fascinating, and I think anyone who loved the movie, or anyone who is interested in the topic of gender identity, or even just anyone who loves a deep, honest and intimate story would find this book as fascinating as I did.
Lili was, unknowingly, a trailblazer. She set the stage for others in our modern world to take the steps, and the risk, to live an honest and true life as they were meant to be. I am a staunch supporter of the transgender community, and besides all of the incredible literary aspects of this work, I am also grateful to Lili for paving the way for those who are now learning to live honest and true lives. Besides being a fascinating book, Lili's story gives us much to think about.
PS This review is not nearly as good as the first version, damn the stupid computers
I saw the movie “The Danish Girl” and loved it. But it made me very curious and interested to read the book on which the movie was based. The original book was called “Man Into Woman, The First Sex Change”, and was first published in 1933. As is the usual case in our capitalist universe, an “updated and expanded” version of the book was recently released as a tie-in to the movie. That is not what I wanted to read. I wanted to read the original 1933 version. Not easy to find, let me say. I finally tracked it down from a bookseller through Amazon UK, and it was worth the effort. The original book was edited by Lili’s good friend Niels Hoyer. Hoyer compiled the book from a variety of Lili’s correspondence and journal entries, and letters to Lili written by family and friends, and then filled in the rest of the story with his narrative in order to tie it all together. Lili's thoughts and words cut me deep. I was mesmerized by Lili’s inner conflict, her wishes, and her internal struggle to figure out how to become her real self in a place and a time where such transformation was unheard of. The book shows who Lili was in a deeper and truer way than a movie could possibly capture. I found this book absolutely fascinating, and I think anyone who loved the movie, or anyone who is interested in the topic of gender identity, or even just anyone who loves a deep, honest and intimate story would find this book as fascinating as I did.
Lili was, unknowingly, a trailblazer. She set the stage for others in our modern world to take the steps, and the risk, to live an honest and true life as they were meant to be. I am a staunch supporter of the transgender community, and besides all of the incredible literary aspects of this work, I am also grateful to Lili for paving the way for those who are now learning to live honest and true lives. Besides being a fascinating book, Lili's story gives us much to think about.
PS This review is not nearly as good as the first version, damn the stupid computers
February 5, 2016
The copy I received via inter-library loan arrived from California State University, and was in fragile condition. I felt very honored that they would even send it to me! I was particularly interested to read this first documented account of the transformation of a person into the gender they most closely identify with, because of personal experience within my own family. I have been interested in the study of gender dysphoria since my daughter came out to me as transgendered at age sixteen. I was instrumental in her transition to a man, and truly astonished at the acceptance, and encouragement of several individuals within in our local community.
The path of successful gender transition does not run smooth. Some of the challenges that individuals may face include: the initial revealing of their gender dysphoria to family and friends, inadequate health insurance to cover treatment, possible side-effects of cross-hormonal medications, and the high cost of gender reassignment surgeries. Transitional stages may be delayed due to lack of resources, or not being physiologically, or psychologically ready. Sadly, even when the individual finally achieves congruence between their physical body and their internal gender identification, the struggle for true acceptance of self, and inclusion in society may continue.
Lili Elbe's story is an important, and inspiring one. It is amazing to think of the encouragement she received from Grete, whom she had married before transforming gender, and the pioneering surgeries that enabled her to transform her body into the gender she identified with. Sadly, she died in 1931 before the final surgery that might have enabled her to realize her dream to become a mother. I am truly thankful that she committed her life to print as an inspiration to others who suffer the torment of being trapped inside a body that visually aligns them to the gender they least identify with. Lili's life stands as a beacon of hope.
The path of successful gender transition does not run smooth. Some of the challenges that individuals may face include: the initial revealing of their gender dysphoria to family and friends, inadequate health insurance to cover treatment, possible side-effects of cross-hormonal medications, and the high cost of gender reassignment surgeries. Transitional stages may be delayed due to lack of resources, or not being physiologically, or psychologically ready. Sadly, even when the individual finally achieves congruence between their physical body and their internal gender identification, the struggle for true acceptance of self, and inclusion in society may continue.
Lili Elbe's story is an important, and inspiring one. It is amazing to think of the encouragement she received from Grete, whom she had married before transforming gender, and the pioneering surgeries that enabled her to transform her body into the gender she identified with. Sadly, she died in 1931 before the final surgery that might have enabled her to realize her dream to become a mother. I am truly thankful that she committed her life to print as an inspiration to others who suffer the torment of being trapped inside a body that visually aligns them to the gender they least identify with. Lili's life stands as a beacon of hope.
March 23, 2016
After watching the film, the Danish Girl, I wanted to find out more about the amazing story of Einar Wegener, a famous Danish landscape painter living in the bohemian Europe of the 1930s who underwent multiple surgeries to become the woman Lili Elbe. As it turns out the movie is not entirely based on facts and I wanted to really understand what happened with Einar, his wife Gerda, and Lili. For something written in the 1930s it is an incredibly easy read, and explicit in the facts surrounding what actually took place.
August 1, 2016
Technically speaking it was not a sex change since Lili apparently was born an intersexual person, but in any case the story of her adult life (the book tells nothing about her childhood and adolescence) is a tale of stubbornness and resilience. It is amazing how she managed, surrounded by a net of friends and parents, who supported her all the way.
What I have not liked at all is her image of femininity as weakness, dependence on men and shyness. I suppose it was the mental idea she had of being a woman, but it is quite sad, actually.
What I have not liked at all is her image of femininity as weakness, dependence on men and shyness. I suppose it was the mental idea she had of being a woman, but it is quite sad, actually.
January 24, 2023
What a fantastic and thought provoking book. Told in her own words, ‘Man Into Woman: The First Sex Change’ tells the remarkable story of Lili Elbe; the first trans woman to ever undergo gender affirmation surgery and be fully and legally acknowledged as a gender other than the one assigned to her at birth.
At the time of Lili’s transition, so little was known or even acknowledged by the scientific community about gender dysphoria. Lili had no pre-existing words, context or anything to understand or explain how she felt. The surgeries she underwent were largely experimental and fatally dangerous, but they were also completely pioneering and, despite ultimately costing Lili her life, saved it. The relief, joy and wonder Lili conveys in her new life as a passing woman is truly lovely and wondrous to read. She had little to no psychological support following the culture shock of transition and her prevailing strength and fortitude in the face of such hardship is inspiring. Her death was a tragedy, and the closing pages of this book are desperately bittersweet. What a thing it is that Lili shared her journey with us; that we have this unique and insightful document into a journey so few of us take.
I was also eternally struck during my reading how loving and accepting Lili’s friends and family were of her predicament and how willing they were to help. In present day 2023, trans people in the U.K. (thanks She Who Will Not Be Named) are still so vilified and mistrusted by the media and general public, and face so many obstacles to simply live as themselves. How can pre-Nazi Germany in 1931 have so much to teach us about empathy, love and strength? I wish I could gift this book to every radicalised TERF. It saddens me so much that it’s so hard to get hold of a copy of this book now. I think a friend bought this one for me off of eBay many moons ago.
I should mention that this is very much a book of its time with lots of misgendering and deadnaming by its very design. Several outdated terms are also used, and there are elements of gender essentialism and internalised misogyny in Lili’s thinking. It’s clear Lily was very privileged and wealthy and that is what ultimately enabled her to travel so widely and seek the best care she could get. It’s also worth mentioning that the narrative suggests Lili may have been intersex instead of trans, but this has apparently been disputed. In any case, this is a fascinating and important historical document, and I am so very glad to have read it.
At the time of Lili’s transition, so little was known or even acknowledged by the scientific community about gender dysphoria. Lili had no pre-existing words, context or anything to understand or explain how she felt. The surgeries she underwent were largely experimental and fatally dangerous, but they were also completely pioneering and, despite ultimately costing Lili her life, saved it. The relief, joy and wonder Lili conveys in her new life as a passing woman is truly lovely and wondrous to read. She had little to no psychological support following the culture shock of transition and her prevailing strength and fortitude in the face of such hardship is inspiring. Her death was a tragedy, and the closing pages of this book are desperately bittersweet. What a thing it is that Lili shared her journey with us; that we have this unique and insightful document into a journey so few of us take.
I was also eternally struck during my reading how loving and accepting Lili’s friends and family were of her predicament and how willing they were to help. In present day 2023, trans people in the U.K. (thanks She Who Will Not Be Named) are still so vilified and mistrusted by the media and general public, and face so many obstacles to simply live as themselves. How can pre-Nazi Germany in 1931 have so much to teach us about empathy, love and strength? I wish I could gift this book to every radicalised TERF. It saddens me so much that it’s so hard to get hold of a copy of this book now. I think a friend bought this one for me off of eBay many moons ago.
I should mention that this is very much a book of its time with lots of misgendering and deadnaming by its very design. Several outdated terms are also used, and there are elements of gender essentialism and internalised misogyny in Lili’s thinking. It’s clear Lily was very privileged and wealthy and that is what ultimately enabled her to travel so widely and seek the best care she could get. It’s also worth mentioning that the narrative suggests Lili may have been intersex instead of trans, but this has apparently been disputed. In any case, this is a fascinating and important historical document, and I am so very glad to have read it.
February 22, 2016
After seeing the movie, it wasn't until the end of this book that I understood why it was so important for Lili to be able to give birth. She was truly a woman and no longer a man. I was also amazed at the support system she had.
It is hard to imagine how difficult this must have been for her. Some questions I'm left with are: Why did the doctor leave on vacation? What happened to the doctors and the clinic, especially with the rise of National Socialism aka NAZI Germany? I would like to find some of these answers.
It is hard to imagine how difficult this must have been for her. Some questions I'm left with are: Why did the doctor leave on vacation? What happened to the doctors and the clinic, especially with the rise of National Socialism aka NAZI Germany? I would like to find some of these answers.
February 23, 2016
3.5 stars
This is the story of the first sex change featured in the movie, The Danish Girl, and the previous partly fictional novel on which the movie was based. . This book gives us a truer and more intimate picture of the thoughts and emotional state of Einar Wegener while he transitioned into Lili Elbe, and of the constant support of his wife,Gerda Gottlieb, and most relatives and friends before and after his four surgeries in 1930/1931.
The husband and wife team were artists, and lived a Bohemian lifestyle along with the artistic community in Paris, etc. The book is based on actual journals, letters written by Einar/Lili and on contemporary interviews with friends. It gives us an understanding of his painful struggle to become the woman he believed himself to be. Some of the writing is very sad, as it shows her to be emotionally fragile and depressed while still Einar, and after becoming Lili the mood fluctuated between joyful exuberance and her withdrawing into depression and isolation.
Lili had a longtime friendship with a male friend who wanted to marry her. She desperately wanted to have children and died during the fourth operation.
If you are looking for details of the surgeries, Lili could not supply any as the doctor's refused to explain anything to her when asked, just telling her they were minor operations and not to concern herself. Of course they were major and experimental, and were followed each time with much pain and long confinement to bed. The doctor also encouraged her in the belief that the transplanted ovaries from a much younger woman would make her physically a younger person and Lili sought to change her age on legal documents. One wonders what happened to this medical clinic in Germany so loved by Lili when the Nazis took over.
This is the story of the first sex change featured in the movie, The Danish Girl, and the previous partly fictional novel on which the movie was based. . This book gives us a truer and more intimate picture of the thoughts and emotional state of Einar Wegener while he transitioned into Lili Elbe, and of the constant support of his wife,Gerda Gottlieb, and most relatives and friends before and after his four surgeries in 1930/1931.
The husband and wife team were artists, and lived a Bohemian lifestyle along with the artistic community in Paris, etc. The book is based on actual journals, letters written by Einar/Lili and on contemporary interviews with friends. It gives us an understanding of his painful struggle to become the woman he believed himself to be. Some of the writing is very sad, as it shows her to be emotionally fragile and depressed while still Einar, and after becoming Lili the mood fluctuated between joyful exuberance and her withdrawing into depression and isolation.
Lili had a longtime friendship with a male friend who wanted to marry her. She desperately wanted to have children and died during the fourth operation.
If you are looking for details of the surgeries, Lili could not supply any as the doctor's refused to explain anything to her when asked, just telling her they were minor operations and not to concern herself. Of course they were major and experimental, and were followed each time with much pain and long confinement to bed. The doctor also encouraged her in the belief that the transplanted ovaries from a much younger woman would make her physically a younger person and Lili sought to change her age on legal documents. One wonders what happened to this medical clinic in Germany so loved by Lili when the Nazis took over.
February 27, 2017
Like a lot of people I saw The Danish Girl and loved it, so I went looking for what really happened and found this book. Lili: A Portrait of the First Sex Change was partially written by Lili around the time of her last operation. The rest is taken from Lili's letters to her friends and loved ones, her diary entries, Gerda's diary entries, and small inserts from Niels Hoyer, who edited and put together this book. Sometimes this reads like a novel, and I can't believe how incredible this story is.
Lili was so brave. Dressing as a woman could have gotten her killed, then she underwent a series of operations that had never been done before, there was no guarantee that she'd survive them. I have the utmost respect for her and for the people around her. She had so much support from so many people and it broke my heart that she couldn't be who she truly was for longer. My heart was breaking all the way through knowing that she didn't make it.
I definitely recommend this book. Her whole life was pioneering and her thought processes before and during her transition were so interesting. The writing style wasn't a problem for me but I know a lot of people have said it's quite hard to get into but I think if you've read anything else from the same era you probably won't have any problems with it. All in all this was a heartbreaking and iconic story and I'm happy I know more about Lili Elbe.
Lili was so brave. Dressing as a woman could have gotten her killed, then she underwent a series of operations that had never been done before, there was no guarantee that she'd survive them. I have the utmost respect for her and for the people around her. She had so much support from so many people and it broke my heart that she couldn't be who she truly was for longer. My heart was breaking all the way through knowing that she didn't make it.
I definitely recommend this book. Her whole life was pioneering and her thought processes before and during her transition were so interesting. The writing style wasn't a problem for me but I know a lot of people have said it's quite hard to get into but I think if you've read anything else from the same era you probably won't have any problems with it. All in all this was a heartbreaking and iconic story and I'm happy I know more about Lili Elbe.
January 3, 2016
Something lost forever
This brave, infinitely sad story of a gender pioneer, doing what most likely had never been done or imagined and certainly not tried. It is also a tragic story; how different everything could have been had all involved known when to stop. One of those rare, small books you will never forget ...
This brave, infinitely sad story of a gender pioneer, doing what most likely had never been done or imagined and certainly not tried. It is also a tragic story; how different everything could have been had all involved known when to stop. One of those rare, small books you will never forget ...
January 3, 2023
“For Andreas bestod af to Væsener, af en Mand: Andreas, og af en kvinde: Lili…… Man kunde også betegne dem som et Par Tvillinger, der begge på samme Tid havde taget det samme legeme i Besiddelse.”
Meget smuk bog, jeg i høj grad anbefaler. Smuk fortælling.
Meget smuk bog, jeg i høj grad anbefaler. Smuk fortælling.
April 17, 2024
A ratos está muy bien, otros ratos puede ser tedioso por estar claramente anclado en su época - las opiniones sobre qué es ser mujer u hombre y lo femenino etc son super esencialistas
Que lo entiendo por la época pero se me ha hecho cansino🤷♀️
Que lo entiendo por la época pero se me ha hecho cansino🤷♀️
February 17, 2018
Honestly a pretty good narrative of the life of Lille Elbe. It’s interesting to see from a modern perspective how people viewed her and even how she viewed herself. For example, Lili wrote some pretty awful/sexist things about herself, showing how much she internalized sexism of the time, as well as believed that she had to follow societal feminine ideals in order to be a “real woman”. It’s fascinating to me to see how those beliefs have changed in how most transgender women view themselves these days- and how sometimes they have stayed the same.
It’s super cool perspective and not dramatized/made into a romance story, unlike the book/movie inspired by this story. Highly recommended for anyone interested in gender study and transgender literature.
It’s super cool perspective and not dramatized/made into a romance story, unlike the book/movie inspired by this story. Highly recommended for anyone interested in gender study and transgender literature.
June 9, 2024
„More than ever, it is clear to me that it is my moral obligation to let my confession come amongst humanity, to teach them not to judge…“
(Lili Elbe, 1931)
—-
This was a fabulous, and still today, extremely important and thought-provoking read. I think I am going to need a few days to let it properly sink in before I can write a more substantial review.
(Lili Elbe, 1931)
—-
This was a fabulous, and still today, extremely important and thought-provoking read. I think I am going to need a few days to let it properly sink in before I can write a more substantial review.
February 4, 2021
It brings me joy to know the support Lili received from her friends and family in 1930. Yet it is devastating to know that many transgender individuals still, in 2020, cannot receive the love that was to Lili so freely given.
July 29, 2021
Definitely a very informative and important book but the reason I only gave it 3 stars is because for me it was a bit of a slog to get through at some points. I don't usually read nonfiction books that are entirely about one subject / person and usually prefer to read something with a lot of little mini biographies or essays about a related group of people / topics so this honestly just ended up being a bit more in-depth than I prefer for my attention span. Still I think it is something you should read if you're trying to learn more about trans history and it gives both a good personal narrative as well as showing in general how some things have changed a lot and how some things are still very similar.
June 14, 2022
I have no words. Just tears. One of the most moving and bittersweet things I've ever read.
January 15, 2023
A rare look into the life of Einar Wegener and Lili Elbe. This is in places not especially well written, but it is however an extremely interesting and moving book written by Elbe to tell her story and the story of how Einar (in the book Andreas) gave his life for her to live. I love the paintings of both Einar and Gerda Wegener and read this to get to know more about them.
April 25, 2018
I haven't seen the movie The Danish girl nor have I read the novel The Danish girl, however I was very much interested in the topic of the novel/movie (and at the time I was specifically looking for a LGBT themed book written as biography or journal). So when I learned about the existence of the original material, the biography written with the assistance of the 'Danish girl' herself, I chose to go to the source first. It was a good choice.
---
I understand why is Lili considered such an important milestone in the history of transgered and transsexual people and history of medicine. However, I can't quite agree with people who call Lili/Andreas simply a trans woman because truthfully his/her gender and sex situation is more complex. Andreas/Lili was actually Intersex. Born with both sets of genitalia. He (because for years he had identified as male without any self-doubt) didn't experience gender dysphoria for years. Until the unfortunate medical treatment which resulted in BOTH sets of genitalia being irreparably damaged.
Therefore he/she may also be classified as genderfluid, I guess. Given that for a time, as long as all organs were healthy and undamaged, both 'personas' co-existed without any major conflict.
I have a theory that he/she may have been a chimera. Rarely, two human fetuses merge into one baby in the womb. Often times the person has no idea they are actually a chimera. The fact that Andreas/Lili was born with both ovaries and penis might be a clue. Also Andreas and Lili seem to differ in personalities a bit. Which Lili herself states and because even the family members seem to find Lili a different person from Andreas. (I can't say how much is it because of an actual personality change or because it's them being shocked by the sex change.)
It's sad that she died. BUT I'm horrified when I imagine what kind of hell the nazis would like to inflict on someone as Lili. This way she died peacefully, knowing she pursued her dream and stayed true to herself. And that she left her notes that were written by both Andreas and Lili for anyone who might find this book soul-soothing, useful etc. I'm grateful to whatever deity sent a guardian angel to protect this text from getting lost in the book burning spree but I would be even happier if the biography got translated into at least five more large languages, because eventhough I don't condemn those who read the Danish girl, it is a shame that the novel is the only world-wide available source of information regarding Lili Elbe though.
Anyway I think that Lili's case may seem unassuming at the first glance but to forget her story would mean a great loss for the LGBT community and the humanity in general. Therefore I think everyone should read it. Even if you aren't trans nor intersex or genderfluid yourself.
---
I understand why is Lili considered such an important milestone in the history of transgered and transsexual people and history of medicine. However, I can't quite agree with people who call Lili/Andreas simply a trans woman because truthfully his/her gender and sex situation is more complex. Andreas/Lili was actually Intersex. Born with both sets of genitalia. He (because for years he had identified as male without any self-doubt) didn't experience gender dysphoria for years. Until the unfortunate medical treatment which resulted in BOTH sets of genitalia being irreparably damaged.
Therefore he/she may also be classified as genderfluid, I guess. Given that for a time, as long as all organs were healthy and undamaged, both 'personas' co-existed without any major conflict.
I have a theory that he/she may have been a chimera. Rarely, two human fetuses merge into one baby in the womb. Often times the person has no idea they are actually a chimera. The fact that Andreas/Lili was born with both ovaries and penis might be a clue. Also Andreas and Lili seem to differ in personalities a bit. Which Lili herself states and because even the family members seem to find Lili a different person from Andreas. (I can't say how much is it because of an actual personality change or because it's them being shocked by the sex change.)
It's sad that she died. BUT I'm horrified when I imagine what kind of hell the nazis would like to inflict on someone as Lili. This way she died peacefully, knowing she pursued her dream and stayed true to herself. And that she left her notes that were written by both Andreas and Lili for anyone who might find this book soul-soothing, useful etc. I'm grateful to whatever deity sent a guardian angel to protect this text from getting lost in the book burning spree but I would be even happier if the biography got translated into at least five more large languages, because eventhough I don't condemn those who read the Danish girl, it is a shame that the novel is the only world-wide available source of information regarding Lili Elbe though.
Anyway I think that Lili's case may seem unassuming at the first glance but to forget her story would mean a great loss for the LGBT community and the humanity in general. Therefore I think everyone should read it. Even if you aren't trans nor intersex or genderfluid yourself.
February 14, 2016
Lili is the republishing of Man Into Woman, the memoir of one of the first openly trans women, Lili Elbe. Lili's life story was the inspiration behind The Danish Girl - which completely twisted and disregarded many of her life circumstances - and in my opinion the truth is much more interesting and compelling. While Lili lived in the beginning of the 20th century, what surprised me the most is in how many ways things haven't changed. It is of such vital importance that we listen to the own voices of those in the trans* (and other) communities, rather than rely on the (often mis-)interpretations of privileged, white, cis, male authors such as Ebershoff.
November 8, 2020
The true story of Einar Wegener, a famous Danish landscape painter who underwent multiple operations in the 1930s to become the world's first male-to-female transsexual. While the writing is far from remarkable, the story itself is quite fascinating and, at times, heart-wrenching.
July 3, 2021
This is such a beautiful book that really captures the pain and suffering someone felt and the happiness they were able to experience before sadly being taken from this world at what felt like the beginning of their life.
I felt like I actually knew Lili and that’s what I like in a book!
I felt like I actually knew Lili and that’s what I like in a book!
May 28, 2022
I feel weird rating autobiographies.
I feel like this book shouldn’t be judged for its prose, the pacing, the characters, etc. The important thing about it isn’t anything that might make other books worth rating; the important thing about it is the reminder that Lili Elbe was a real woman who lived and died nine decades ago, and that through her autobiography we got a glimpse of how was life back then for transgender women, and how they might have seen and perceived their femininity in comparison to today’s trans women (I say might because everyone is different, but historical context nevertheless helps in shaping one’s character and outlook on identity).
I’ve seen reviews criticising the way Lili thought women were, but she was never a ‘feminist icon’ —for that you’d have to read Olympe de Gouges or even literature like Little Women— and, in my opinion, judging this book by today’s standards of womanhood is wrong. This book was never intended to give lessons on how women lived in the 1920s-30s, but rather it is simply Lili telling us her story. It is tragic that she didn’t get the opportunity to continue it beyond her last surgery, and it’s nearly infuriating that David Ebershoff got wind of the existence of this book and decided to twist it into The Danish Girl (really not an accurate depiction of being trans, even by Lili’s 1930s standards). But this book is beautiful.
I feel like this book shouldn’t be judged for its prose, the pacing, the characters, etc. The important thing about it isn’t anything that might make other books worth rating; the important thing about it is the reminder that Lili Elbe was a real woman who lived and died nine decades ago, and that through her autobiography we got a glimpse of how was life back then for transgender women, and how they might have seen and perceived their femininity in comparison to today’s trans women (I say might because everyone is different, but historical context nevertheless helps in shaping one’s character and outlook on identity).
I’ve seen reviews criticising the way Lili thought women were, but she was never a ‘feminist icon’ —for that you’d have to read Olympe de Gouges or even literature like Little Women— and, in my opinion, judging this book by today’s standards of womanhood is wrong. This book was never intended to give lessons on how women lived in the 1920s-30s, but rather it is simply Lili telling us her story. It is tragic that she didn’t get the opportunity to continue it beyond her last surgery, and it’s nearly infuriating that David Ebershoff got wind of the existence of this book and decided to twist it into The Danish Girl (really not an accurate depiction of being trans, even by Lili’s 1930s standards). But this book is beautiful.
February 1, 2020
Man Into Woman is an autobiography about Lili Elbe. Lili Elbe was a Danish women born in the early 1900's. The thing is Lili was not born a woman but instead a man by the name of Einar Magnus Andreas Wegener. Her story goes through the challenges she had mentally and physically, and how difficult it was especially when she was the only transgender woman she knew of. Lili Elbe didn't think of herself as a transgender woman though, probably because nobody knew what that was, but also because she thought of Lili and Andreas as two completely different people. She often writes in her book about how she feels as if there are two people living in her body, and in the end she comes to the conclusion that only one of them can stay. That's why the story leads into how she becomes the first woman to successfully get a sex change, although she did pass away due to problems from her uterus transplant. I loved reading this book and I think it gave a look into the mind of someone very different from me. It was incredible to see what that was like for her, I really recommend this book to anyone interested in her story.
January 6, 2025
I started reading this a year or two ago, after becoming interested in Gerda Wegener’s art and learning more about her life. I am so glad I found this book, I enjoyed it so much! I think this is an important read, I wish Elbe’s story were more well known.
To see the way Elbe navigated her transition and the way the people around her reacted to her in a Western world that predated the concept of being transgender was so interesting. While there were still social ideas that shaped people’s opinions on Elbe’s transition, they were still operating with a different bias from the one that exists today. It makes sense that it would be easier as a woman to accept Elbe without the preconcieved notions generated by the transphobic rhetoric the people of today have been largely socialized by. It also makes sense that it would be harder as a man to accept Elbe without the efforts to devalue gender roles we are used to now.
Rest in peace, Lili Elbe. I am glad you lay in Dresden. Thank you for sharing your story with the world. I wish you had had more time to share more of your beautiful words.
To see the way Elbe navigated her transition and the way the people around her reacted to her in a Western world that predated the concept of being transgender was so interesting. While there were still social ideas that shaped people’s opinions on Elbe’s transition, they were still operating with a different bias from the one that exists today. It makes sense that it would be easier as a woman to accept Elbe without the preconcieved notions generated by the transphobic rhetoric the people of today have been largely socialized by. It also makes sense that it would be harder as a man to accept Elbe without the efforts to devalue gender roles we are used to now.
Rest in peace, Lili Elbe. I am glad you lay in Dresden. Thank you for sharing your story with the world. I wish you had had more time to share more of your beautiful words.
June 16, 2024
A remarkable account of Lili Elbe's transition experience, largely as written by the woman herself. Her conception of that experience, as a masculine predecessor's death, and the birth of a new woman, is particularly fascinating, and shapes her entire story. Few are those in transgender history who have ever taken so extreme a position on the definite end of one individual's life, and the beginning of another individual's existence, as the description of their transition process.
The account is emotionally open and honest and heartfelt, and that is the most we can ever ask from such works, it seems to me. Its being written in the style of autofiction (rather than simple diary entries) also helps to make it more accessible and inviting to the average reader. In light of which, this is a surprisingly "easy read" given its origins.
The account is emotionally open and honest and heartfelt, and that is the most we can ever ask from such works, it seems to me. Its being written in the style of autofiction (rather than simple diary entries) also helps to make it more accessible and inviting to the average reader. In light of which, this is a surprisingly "easy read" given its origins.
August 4, 2019
This was such a powerful testimony. As someone who grew up in a wildly transphobic household, this book helped to dispel any lingering illusions about that community. I originally heard about Lili Elbe from the movie The Danish Girl, and I desperately wanted to know more about her story.
This book was such a raw documentation of all the emotions and struggles Lili went through, and I feel like it gave me a peek into the reality of the transgender experience. It frequently gave me chills to realize that the words I was reading were written so long ago by someone so strong and brave. I highly recommend this book.
This book was such a raw documentation of all the emotions and struggles Lili went through, and I feel like it gave me a peek into the reality of the transgender experience. It frequently gave me chills to realize that the words I was reading were written so long ago by someone so strong and brave. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews