Reviews of trans and/or non-binary lit by trans and/or non-binary reviewers

This week, I got two separate requests by cis reviewers for trans and/or non-binary reviews of trans and/or non-binary literature. They wanted to link to the review in their own review. This may be due to this wonderful essay about writing reviews of trans and/or non-binary books for cis reviewers, which suggests that cis reviewers read and consider trans and/or non-binary reviews.

These requests made me think about the reviews of trans and/or non-binary books by trans and/or non-binary reviewers that I had read, and the reviews I had written. And also…the reviews I chose not to write. I thought about the ways I often see cis people praising trans and/or non-binary rep in books that I personally found hurtful and problematic. The ways that trans and/or non-binary people warn each other in private about these books but don’t write reviews of them. I thought about how little I trust cis reviews of trans and/or non-binary books, and how rarely I read them because they often can be quite transphobic and cissexist. And how I really struggle to find reviews of some trans and/or non-binary books by trans and/or non-binary reviewers. I wrote a thread about that on twitter, which sparked a couple other threads, including this one listing trans and/or non-binary reviewers.

My intention is to make trans and/or non-binary reviews, and criticism of trans and/or non-binary literature more accessible, by gathering them together here into this rather long post. I am primarily interested in assisting other trans and/or non-binary readers in finding reviews by trans and/or non-binary folks.

I know that this list is likely to be used by cis people, and I encourage that. For one thing, this is trans and/or non-binary writing, and I gotta say, I am blown away by some of the thinking and writing in these reviews. So, please do read and consider what some trans and/or non-binary folks think about trans and/or non-binary books.

A couple of cautionary notes:

Please do not take any of these reviews as the “definitive” trans and/or non-binary opinion on the book. That does not exist. Even if there is only one review listed, it is not the “right” or “true” trans and/or non-binary perspective on the book.
Please do not assume that because I am trans and am including the review, that I agree with or endorse the reviewer’s opinion of the book. (I can definitely think of some examples where that is not true!)

I am listing reviews alphabetically by the title of the book, and including the gender of the reviewer. With many of these reviews, the book centers a character with a different trans and/or non-binary gender from the gender of the reviewer. That is relevant information to me as a trans reader of reviews, so I included it. (I am particularly interested in the perspectives of trans women about a book like Nevada, for example. And I’m lucky, because there are many reviews of it written by trans women!)

Note: I have inevitably left many reviews out. This is a work in progress, and I will keep updating it. Probably pretty much as soon as it goes live. Please feel free to share links of reviews of trans and/or non-binary literature by trans and/or non-binary reviewers.

What reviews are included?

For the purposes of this list, “trans and/or non-binary literature” includes:

All work by trans and/or non-binary writers whether or not it includes trans and/or non-binary characters, or is about trans and/or non-binary identity, themes or issues
Work by cis writers that includes trans and/or non-binary characters or is about trans and/or non-binary identity, themes or issues

When including work by trans and/or non-binary authors that does not include trans and/or non-binary themes, it is not my intention to out trans and/or non-binary authors.

Note: If you are an author who feels that including your work is outing you, and you wish to have it removed from this list, please let me know either in comments or via email to praxisproductions at gmail dot com.

For the purposes of this list, “trans and/or non-binary reviewer” is about public self-identification, not review content. Reviews do not need to discuss trans and/or non-binary content or authorship to be included.

It is not my intention to list reviewers if they are not out as trans and/or non-binary. If I cannot confirm by a web search whether a reviewer is out, I ask permission and only list if it is given. I identify the gender identity of the reviewer after their name based on their own profiles or their stated identity when giving permission to include the review. If I am unclear what to list, I ask, and do not include until I get a response.

Note: If you are a reviewer who wishes to be removed from this list for any reason, or to have me change which gender or name is listed, please let me know either in comments or via email to praxisproductions at gmail dot com.

Reviews and Essays about Trans and/or Non-Binary Literature by Trans and/or Non-Binary Reviewers
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert and Rex Ray

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

About a Girl by Sarah McCarry

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Adam by Ariel Schrag

Essay by Tom Léger, a trans man writer and editor

Alex As Well by Alyssa Brugman

Review by Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders 

Review by Gretchen, a genderqueer reviewer

An Alphabet of Embers, ed. by Rose Lemberg

Review by Polenth Blake, a non-binary writer

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Annabel by Kathleen Winter

Review by Casey Plett, trans woman writer

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Review by Jeanne Thornton, a trans woman writer

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

At Land by Morgan M. Page

Essay by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Beast by Brie Spangler

Review by Gretchen, a genderqueer reviewer

Becoming Nicole: The transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt

Review by Chelsea Manning, a trans woman writer

Being Emily by Rachel Gold

Review by Kuzu, a genderfluid/nonbinary trans boy reviewer

Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Beyond Binary: Genderqueer and Sexually Fluid Speculative Fiction ed. by Brit Mandelo

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

The Black Emerald by Jeanne Thornton

Review by Morgan M. Page, a trans woman writer

Black Helicopters by Caitlín R. Kiernan

Review by D Libris, a genderqueer reviewer

Body Alchemy: Transsexual Portraits by Loren Cameron

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

A Boy Called Cin by Cecil Wilde

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Cam Girl, by Elliot Wake (writing as Leah Raeder)

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Review by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

Chasing Death Metal Dreams by Kaje Harper

Review by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

The Child Eater by Rachel Pollack

Review by D Libris, a genderqueer reviewer

Coffee Boy by Austin Chant

Review by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

Documenting Light by E.E. Ottoman

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Dreadnought by April Daniels

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

The Drowning Girl by Caitlín R. Kiernan

Review by Jeanne Thornton, a trans woman writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Review by Morgan M. Page, a trans woman writer

Even This Page is White by Vivek Shraya

Review by Gwen Benaway, a trans woman writer

Review by Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

F2M: The Boy Within by Hazel Edwards

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl’s Confabulous Memoir by Kai Cheng Thom

Review by Gwen Benaway, a trans woman writer

Finding the Real Me ed. by Tracie O’Keefe and Katrina Fox

Essay by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

Finding Your Feet by Cass Lennox

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

For Today I Am A Boy by Kim Fu

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Review by Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

Gender Failure by Rae Spoon and Ivan E. Coyote

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Geometries of Belonging by Rose Lembeg

Essay by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

George by Alex Gino

Review by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Girl Mans Up by M.E. Girard

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Gracefully Grayson by Amy Polonsky

Review by Kuzu, a genderfluid/nonbinary trans boy reviewer

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Grandmother Nai-Leylit’s Cloth of Winds by Rose Lemberg

Essay by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

Green Toes by Avery Flinders

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Held Close In Syllables of Light by Rose Lemberg

Review by D Libris, a genderqueer reviewer

Holding Still for As Long as Possible by Zoe Whittall

Essay by Emma, a trans woman writer

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Review by Emma, a trans woman writer

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Shenwei, a non-binary/genderqueer/genderfluid reviewer

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

Review by Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

I’m Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted by Jennifer Finney Boylan

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Review by Jeanne Thornton, a trans woman writer

Improvise, Girl, Improvise, by Lilith Latini

Review by Emma, a trans woman writer

Review by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

I’ve Got A Time Bomb by Sybil Lamb

Essay by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Jerkbait by Mia Siegert

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark 

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

A Kind of Justice by Renee James

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Labyrinth by Alex Beecroft

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Look Past by Eric Devine

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Lost Boi by Sassafras Lowrey

Review by Gretchen, a genderqueer reviewer

Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time ed. by Hope Nicholson

Review by Polenth Blake, a non-binary writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Review by Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Essay by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

The Masker by Torrey Peters

Review by Merritt K, a trans woman writer

Review by Emma, a trans woman writer

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab by Shani Mootoo

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

My Husband Betty: Love, Sex, and Life with a Crossdresser by Helen Boyd

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Myra Breckinridge & Myron by Gore Vidal

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Nevada by Imogen Binnie

Review by Amy Dentata, a trans woman writer

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Essay by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Review by Emma, a trans woman writer

Essay by Emma, a trans woman writer (connecting the book to labyrinths)

Essay by xmas lemmings, a trans woman blogger

Essay by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

Essay by Kay Gabriel, a trans woman writer (speaking to the canonization of the novel)

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Shenwei, a non-binary/genderqueer/genderfluid reviewer

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Review by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

Pantomime and Shadowplay by Laura Lam

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Pantomime review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Shadowplay review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Passage by Gwen Benaway

Review by Kai Cheng Thom, a trans woman writer

Poison Kiss by Ana Mardoll

Review by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

The Potent Alchemy by Tess Bowery

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

The Queer and the Restless by Kris Ripper

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Queer and Trans Artists of Color, Interviews by Nia King

Review by Tom Léger, a trans man writer and editor

Roller Girl by Vanessa North

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Roving Pack by Sassafras Lowrey

Review by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

A Safe Girl To Love by Casey Plett

Review by Mitch Kellaway, a trans man writer

Review by Jeanne Thornton, a trans woman writer

The Sandman, Vol. 5: A Game of You by Neil Gaiman

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

She’s Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband  by Helen Boyd

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Show Yourself To Me by Xan West

Review by Gretchen, a genderqueer reviewer

Review by Kyle Jones, a butch genderqueer trans writer

Review by Erinkyan, a trans man blogger

Review by Avory Faucette, a non-binary trans writer

Review by Sinclair Sexsmith, a non-binary writer

Small Beauty by jia qing wilson-yang

Review by Kai Cheng Thom, a trans woman writer

Review by Gwen Benaway, a trans woman poet

Review by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Review by Morgan M. Page, a trans woman writer and artist

Some of the Parts by T. Cooper

Review by Imogen Binnie, a trans woman writer

Spy Stuff by Matthew Metzger

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Max, a nonbinary writer

Tales from Perach by Shira Glassman

Review by Polenth Blake, a non-binary writer

There Should Be Flowers by Joshua Jennifer Espinoza

Review by Kai Cheng Thom, a trans woman writer

Three Partitions by Bogi Takács

Review by D Libris, a genderqueer reviewer

Trees by Warren Ellis

Review by Emma, a trans woman writer

The Vampire’s Human Companion by Cecil Wilde

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Wallflower by Heidi Belleu

Review by Xan West, a genderqueer writer

Wanting in Arabic, by Trish Salah

Essay by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

Review by Merritt K, a trans woman writer

We Go Forward by Alison Evans

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Welcome to Orphancorp by Marlee Jane Ward

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

What We Left Behind by Robin Talley

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie Mc Lemore

Review by Cheryl Morgan, a trans woman writer

Review by Gretchen, a genderqueer reviewer

Review by Kuzu, a genderfluid/nonbinary trans boy reviewer

Review by Morgan Doherty, a non-binary transmasculine writer

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Which One is the Bridge by Charles Theonia

Review by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

The Wild Hunt by Stephanie Rabig

Review by Nicole Field, a multigender writer

Yemaya’s Daughters by Dane Figueroa Edidi

Essay by Casey Plett, a trans woman writer

A Selection of Related Essays by Trans and/or Non Binary Writers
On Reviewing Trans and/or Non-Binary Lit 

How to Review a Trans Book As a Cis Person, by  Vee, a non-binary trans blogger

On Trans and/or Non-Binary YA

The Acceptance Narrative in Trans YA by Vee, a non-binary trans blogger

The Hero’s Journey in Trans YA by Vee, a non-binary trans blogger

Trans Representation in YA Is Only the Beginning by Everett Maroon, a trans man writer

On Trans and/or Non-Binary SFF 

Gender, Sex, and Sexuality in SF: A Conversation between Polenth Blake, a non-binary writer, and Bogi Takács, an agender trans writer and reviewer

Changing Images of Trans People in Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature by Cheryl Morgan, a trans woman writer

On Trans and/or Non-Binary Erotica and Romance 

Talking Trans Erotica with Tobi Hill-Meyer by Jetta Rae. Tobi Hill-Meyer is a genderqueer trans woman writer, editor, actor and filmmaker. Jetta Rae is a trans woman writer and editor.

Writing Erotica for Trans Readers (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

Writing Sex Scenes with Less Cissexism (Part 1, Part 2) by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer

On Writing Trans Stories

Dear Cisgender People Who Write, Publish, and Read Trans Books by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic

Writing Better Trans Characters by Cheryl Morgan, a trans woman writer

Should I or Shouldn’t I? On Writing Trans Narratives Respectfully by John Jacobson, a non-binary genderqeer writer

How to Write Trans Characters by Everett Maroon, a trans man writer

Being Trans is a Lot Like Being a Book by Austin Chant, a trans man writer

On Reading Trans and/or Non-Binary Narratives into Cis Characters

Unintentional Trans Characters by Constance Augusta Zaber, a trans woman writer and critic (about Hermione from the Harry Potter books and Elphaba from Wicked)

No One Makes It Out Alive a dialogue between Casey Plett, and Morgan M. Page, both are trans woman writers (about Seymour and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors)

Being a Trans Reader by Xan West, a trans stone butch/genderqueer writer (about reading erotica as a trans person, particularly about reading transness into cis characters)

Tagged: criticism, non-binary, non-binary authors, non-binary characters, non-binary literature, non-binary reviewers, reviews, trans, trans authors, trans characters, trans literature, trans reviewers