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A New Man
Imagine you are a proud lesbian and a feminist. You have the odd doubt about your sexuality but you understand how the male-dominated world works and are angry about it. You even go to prison to protest at the ultimate in male violence: nuclear weapons. Then one day, a shock realisation occurs that not only are you not a lesbian, but you are in fact, a man. Your world is turned upside down. This is Charlie’s story.
A New Man is a story of broken families, isolation and a total collapse of identity. It’s also inspirational: after suffering destructive episodes of mania, homelessness and loss of friends and dignity, Charlie manages to continue life without medication and get by.
Throughout all these challenges lies the conflict of self-identity within, as Charlie knows deep down that he is male. He represses this, believing that he should fight against stereotypes of what it is to be a woman. The repressed feelings keep resurfacing and Charlie finally takes steps to be a man. He becomes heterosexual and remains a feminist. Living as a man, the world treats him differently and he has to adjust quickly. Charlie, however, is now stable, far happier and feels right in his new body.
A New Man is a story of broken families, isolation and a total collapse of identity. It’s also inspirational: after suffering destructive episodes of mania, homelessness and loss of friends and dignity, Charlie manages to continue life without medication and get by.
Throughout all these challenges lies the conflict of self-identity within, as Charlie knows deep down that he is male. He represses this, believing that he should fight against stereotypes of what it is to be a woman. The repressed feelings keep resurfacing and Charlie finally takes steps to be a man. He becomes heterosexual and remains a feminist. Living as a man, the world treats him differently and he has to adjust quickly. Charlie, however, is now stable, far happier and feels right in his new body.
- GenresLGBT
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 17, 2017
I was worried when my copy of Charlie Kiss’ ‘New Man’ arrrived.Trans people’s stories can be very badly told, and history has justly consigned many of them to a kind oblivion. I wanted this one to be good. (Disclaimer; Charlie is a friend, and we have been travelling both in opposite directions and the same one for a long time now, as it were)
I shouldn’t have been concerned. His style is straightforward and matter-of-fact; even without the trans element his story would have been interesting; embracing punk, that great ‘just do it’ movement that energised so many of us; joining the Greenham Common peace camp and spending time in prison in consequence, but also both being part of that massively empowering time for women, and questioning and working through where he belonged genderwise. There’s more, much more, but anyway…
He’s frank and honest, and I learned stuff from reading the book. It might be of particular interest in its examination of the crucial difference between 'masculine' women and trans men, an area in which I suspect that *some* contemporary feminists miss the point. And it was a very good read.
I shouldn’t have been concerned. His style is straightforward and matter-of-fact; even without the trans element his story would have been interesting; embracing punk, that great ‘just do it’ movement that energised so many of us; joining the Greenham Common peace camp and spending time in prison in consequence, but also both being part of that massively empowering time for women, and questioning and working through where he belonged genderwise. There’s more, much more, but anyway…
He’s frank and honest, and I learned stuff from reading the book. It might be of particular interest in its examination of the crucial difference between 'masculine' women and trans men, an area in which I suspect that *some* contemporary feminists miss the point. And it was a very good read.
August 18, 2017
A thoroughly engaging read. Charlie covers so many issues in this book, and for those of us of a similar age it is a real trip down memory lane.
An amazing insight into Greenham Common which made me feel ashamed that at the same time, barring the obvious big CND rallies and anti BNP marches I was busily enjoying my middle class life listening to Culture Club and drinking Malibu!
Charlie takes you by the hand and leads you through his journey from separatist lesbian activist to adolescent 40 year old man! It will make you consider the things you think you know about gender and sanity.
This is not a book about terminology and words - it's about a life lived. I loved every page
An amazing insight into Greenham Common which made me feel ashamed that at the same time, barring the obvious big CND rallies and anti BNP marches I was busily enjoying my middle class life listening to Culture Club and drinking Malibu!
Charlie takes you by the hand and leads you through his journey from separatist lesbian activist to adolescent 40 year old man! It will make you consider the things you think you know about gender and sanity.
This is not a book about terminology and words - it's about a life lived. I loved every page
September 21, 2017
An excellent read, couldn't put it down! This is a book about the personal and the political, about feminism, and patriarchy, and the peace movement, mental illness, the London lesbian scene of the 70s and 80s, and the theory and practice of transitioning. Narrated with honesty and tenderness, this extraordinary autobiography tells the gripping story of one person's incredible journey.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews