Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s review of Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day > Likes and Comments

Happy Reading Rosh! I hope you enjoy this!

Brooke wrote: "Happy Reading Rosh! I hope you enjoy this!"

Thanks, Brooke. :)

Considering I barely know anything about the historical part, that does sound quite interesting, even if you did find it a bit dry. And you’re right in saying the definition of those labels we use aren’t exactly clear to everyone. So there definitely are misconceptions. I’m glad this was so well-researched and interesting. And there’s clearly some wisdom to be found here, as well as in your review. Good review, Rosh.

Oooohhh. It sounds interesting. Great review as per usual.

Using a graphic format is very clever in telling the history. Oh the trans world has occupied since the beginning of time....

Great review, Rosh! ;)

Wonderful review! 💞

Fantastic review, Rosh. I need to read this. My sister has two trans daughters. 🤗💕

I'm glad this book exists and that you have found it. Wise and insightful review, Rosh! 🤗

Wow, interesting book, great review Rosh :)

Loved your shoutout to Bishakh Som’s section - it’s so important to reconnect with pre-colonial acceptance and cultural nuance.

Beautiful review Rosh ♥️

Amazing review!

Even with its flaws (and doubts about the ancient world) it's great that such books exist in accessible formats that might appeal more to certain groups of readers.

An excellent review of what sounds like an intriguing book Rosh, thank you! I ran across an interesting take in an unexpected place a few years ago in the book Queer Ukraine: An Anthology of LGBTQI+ Ukrainian Voices During Wartime where among the historical precedents one author posits the view that Joan of Arc was trans i.e. she wore men's clothing and armour and that was one of the reasons the Church executed her. It certainly makes you think.

Excellent review, Rosh. I have lots of trans friends so I can imagine what some of the OwnVoices stories would have been about. Life’s not easy when you have to worry about your safety all the time. I can’t help but notice the call for more labels these days. Back in my day we tried to avoid labels. Interesting how things change.

Superb review Rosh. I love this creative way of reaching out to varying age groups to talk about this history. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. ☺️

Wonderful and balanced review, Rosh! 💖 I agree that community voices should have been scattered throughout rather than being clubbed at the end. This would also have made the history parts less dry. Love that point about the kinnar community.

Rosh...This presentation of trans history, in the form of a graphic novel, sounds very informative. I agree with Srivalli in that community voices, interspersed though out, might have been the cure for some of the dry historic data. Superb review!📚

Amazing review! So glad you enjoyed it!!!🖤💗

Incredible and insightful review, Rosh. 🤍

Thibault wrote: "Considering I barely know anything about the historical part, that does sound quite interesting, even if you did find it a bit dry. And you’re right in saying the definition of those labels we use ..."

Thanks much, Thibault! It's still interesting, but tilts more towards general history, which felt a bit boring in its presentation here. Regardless, there is indeed wisdom to be found in the book, as you rightly said.

G_occasionally_reads (a lifetime behind) wrote: "Oooohhh. It sounds interesting. Great review as per usual."

Very informative, G. Offers so many points to ponder upon!
Thanks!

Barbara wrote: "Using a graphic format is very clever in telling the history. Oh the trans world has occupied since the beginning of time...."

I agree, Barbara. Makes the information easier to understand.
Oh yes. Unfortunately, so many disagree... 😒

Diane wrote: "Great review, Rosh! ;)"

Thanks, Diane! 😊

Jayme wrote: "Wonderful review! 💞"

Thank you, Jayme! 💞

Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "Fantastic review, Rosh. I need to read this. My sister has two trans daughters. 🤗💕"

Thanks so much, Shelley! 💞 I'm sure they are blessed to be part of your loving family. 🤗

Alexandra wrote: "I'm glad this book exists and that you have found it. Wise and insightful review, Rosh! 🤗"

Me too, Alexandra. Thanks much! 🤗

Baba wrote: "Wow, interesting book, great review Rosh :)"

Thank you, Baba! 😊

Taufiq wrote: "Loved your shoutout to Bishakh Som’s section - it’s so important to reconnect with pre-colonial acceptance and cultural nuance."

Absolutely, Taufiq! I don't agree with those who want a blind return to the old culture because there were several negatives also in our precolonial beliefs, but we cannot forget the positive elements. 'Keep what's sane, improve on the rest' is the best way ahead for everyone.

Alya wrote: "Beautiful review Rosh ♥️"

Thanks, Alya! 💞

emelie 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ wrote: "Amazing review!"

Thanks, Emilie!

Berengaria wrote: "Even with its flaws (and doubts about the ancient world) it's great that such books exist in accessible formats that might appeal more to certain groups of readers."

Completely agree, B. There are quite a few graphic novels focusing on actual LGBTQ community experiences, and most in the form of expository non-fiction or memoirs. These would definitely be more helpful than textual non-fiction, which doesn't appeal to younger readers.

Alan (The Lone Librarian) wrote: "An excellent review of what sounds like an intriguing book Rosh, thank you! I ran across an interesting take in an unexpected place a few years ago in the book [book:Queer Ukraine: An Anthology of ..."

Thank you kindly, Alan! That is an interesting take, indeed! Several similar claims have been made in this graphic novel as well. I suppose the key difference is that the collection you read was clearly meant to be fiction, while this book is supposed to be historical and hence true. Acceptance becomes tougher in this case without adequate proof.
That anthology sounds interesting, btw. I'll see if I can find a copy here. 😊

Sportyrod wrote: "Excellent review, Rosh. I have lots of trans friends so I can imagine what some of the OwnVoices stories would have been about. Life’s not easy when you have to worry about your safety all the time..."

Thanks, Rod. I'm sure they will have similar stories to tell. All the OwnVoices anecdotes were either heartbreaking or infuriating. I think the only category of people who have life relatively easy is cis-het white men.
We've already spoken about these labels before, and you already know my feelings on the matter. I still think things have gone over the top with labelling. The value of each individual identity has been lost in the clutter. 😕

Karen wrote: "Superb review Rosh. I love this creative way of reaching out to varying age groups to talk about this history. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. ☺️"

Thank you, Karen. I agree, this is an amazing format to spread information about such topics in an accessible way. 😊

Srivalli wrote: "Wonderful and balanced review, Rosh! 💖 I agree that community voices should have been scattered throughout rather than being clubbed at the end. This would also have made the history parts less dry..."

Thanks much, Sri! 💞 Exactly... The historical and the personal bits could have balanced the information better.
It's sad how we have forgotten our own values. 😒

Fran wrote: "Rosh...This presentation of trans history, in the form of a graphic novel, sounds very informative. I agree with Srivalli in that community voices, interspersed though out, might have been the cure..."

Thanks so much, Fran! 💞 It is such an easy way of grasping centuries of trans history. I agree with you both about the presentation. It might have helped keep things more interesting at the start.

Vasilii wrote: "Amazing review! So glad you enjoyed it!!!🖤💗"

Thanks, Vasilii! 🤍

NZLisaM wrote: "Incredible and insightful review, Rosh. 🤍"

Thanks much, Lisa! 🤍

I am a little ignorant of trans history. This book seems to cover that bit. Great review, Rosh.

Amazing review, Rosh!

P.B. wrote: "I am a little ignorant of trans history. This book seems to cover that bit. Great review, Rosh."

Thanks, PB. 🤍 We all can learn a lot of trans history from this book.

Alessandra wrote: "Amazing review, Rosh!"

Thanks, Alessandra!

I’m glad you enjoyed this one and found it informative, Rosh!

Excellent and insightful review, Rosh. You're right that it can be hard to keep up with the ever increasing changes to our understanding of sexuality and gender, but I'm glad books like this exist to help! 💗

Nancy wrote: "I’m glad you enjoyed this one and found it informative, Rosh!"

Thanks, Nancy!

Kat wrote: "Excellent and insightful review, Rosh. You're right that it can be hard to keep up with the ever increasing changes to our understanding of sexuality and gender, but I'm glad books like this exist ..."

Thanks so much, Kat! 💖 I absolutely agree! Graphic novels are doing a great job leading the inclusivity way with such honest memoirs and nonfiction.

Wonderful discussion of why a book like this is needed, Rosh. It seems they kind of skipped over not only those of us who prefer not to wear frocks (comfort) but also the lesbians who don't want to become men but prefer to be the 'mannish' partner in a gay couple... and why not?

If you ever want a first-hand account by a (now) guy who's been there and done that, I highly recommend Balls: It Takes Some to Get Some by Chris Edwards. It is fascinating, warm, and funny.
My review of Balls: It Takes Some To Get Some

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Wonderful discussion of why a book like this is needed, Rosh. It seems they kind of skipped over not only those of us who prefer not to wear frocks (comfort) but also the lesbians who don't want to..."

Thanks much for the rec, Patty! Adding to my future list.