Wrapped In Blue: A Journey of Discovery

by Donna Rose

Wrapped In Blue is Donna Rose's deeply personal memoir of self-discovery. The emotional story of her courageous and difficult journey across the gender line challenges the reader to consider life, love and gender in a new and insightful way. In the process, it provides a unique, intriguing, and sometimes humorous perspective on the differences between men and women.

Genres: Queer, Gender, Transgender, Nonfiction, Biography

357 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, I found myself initially picturing the author as a male, but as the story progressed I imagined a female. It was a story that is relatable on the issues of self discovery. Inspirational. I didn't always love Dave/Donna's choices, but I deeply respect this individual.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read "Wrapped in Blue" a month into my transition -- months before hormone therapy and long before any surgery. I cried when I read it and I think I underlined half the book. Now, after HRT, FFS & SRS, I went back and reread this book. As much as it meant to me when I first read it, I now have an even greater appreciation for what Donna wrote.

Every transsexuial has a different set of experiences, but Donna's story contains so many universal elements. In many ways, Donna's story is my story and the story of many of my friends. It is such a basic human story. Most people will never understand why we need to transition, but they understand how it feels to be lost and unhappy. We each undertake an incredible journey to find ourselves. While transsexuals end up at a place that is foreign to most people, the idea of undertaking such a journey is universal. That is the sory that Donna tells.

I recommend this book to transwomen just starting transition because of it's honesty. I also recommend Jenny Boylan's book She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders. For friends and family I recommend Joanne Herman's Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not.

[Eric Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I know Donna, and consider her to be a friend. AND, this book is incredible. When I started it, I was under the impression that I knew a fair amount about the transgender experience. To be fair, I knew more than most cis-gender people know, and what I knew was more or less correct. But there was SO much that I DIDN'T know, and I'm incredibly grateful to Donna for being so forthcoming, so brave, so insightful, so willing to share her story - ALL of her story, not just the parts that make her look like a hero or a victim. I especially appreciated her ability to embrace her forty years as David. As fond as I am of Donna, I realize that until I read this story, I didn't know "David" at all, though he is very much a part of who she is today. For anyone who needs to know more about the transgender experience or wants to, I can't recommend this memoir highly enough.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually met the author and have a signed copy of this book. When I read what she went through, and what so many others go through, to have their outsides match what they really feel inside, I knew no one would make this decision and go through this process simply on a whim, or to follow the crowd. But that's exactly what bible thumpers would want us to believe. I could never do what she has done, but then I also don't have the inner turmoil she had. As a society, we need to embrace folks like Donna, and not spurn them.

[Ivy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an autogynephilic person with a general interest in sociology and sex and gender, and a specific interest in gender transgression and transsexualism, this autobiographical book was an enjoyable, and at times emotional, read.