a good read-- quick, engaging, and you get to learn more about transition from male to female, which is something i don't know much about. Bohjalian's writing, as usual, flows really well and keeps you engaged in the story, but this isn't his strongest piece of fiction--the plot tension pales in comparison to Midwives and The Double Bind.

I do like his exploration of people's feelings towards something like gay marriage or transsexuals, an almost NIMBY sensibility, that in general it's OK, but you still wouldn't want your child/neighbor/community leader to have that or be that.

the ending does make you want to roll your eyes a bit (I mean, seriously?) and is probably the weakest part.

also the radio construct is a bit forced-- it's a nifty idea, but I'm not sure it really helps the book in any way. but maybe it supports or pushes along the plot and i just didn't even realize it.