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Woman as a Foreign Language
~Editor's Pick~
What do you do when the woman you want to be … is a man?
Nina’s abusive childhood left her feeling so vulnerable when wearing anything flimsier than combat boots that she has spent her whole adult life dressed like a gang boy. But when she meets the tall, glamourous, charismatic Julia (actually her cross-dressing neighbor, Julian, going out en femme), Nina is seized by an overwhelming and terrifying urge to finally express her own femininity.
Julia/n has not only a slightly split personality but also a thoroughly broken heart. What s/he wants most is a partner who will love both Julia and Julian. While Nina learns from Julia how to be a woman, Julian discovers that they might well be made for each other, but it will take a struggle against prejudice and a whole conservative mind-set before they can follow their hearts, and express their true, unique, and beautiful selves.
#LGBTQ #GENDERQUEER
What do you do when the woman you want to be … is a man?
Nina’s abusive childhood left her feeling so vulnerable when wearing anything flimsier than combat boots that she has spent her whole adult life dressed like a gang boy. But when she meets the tall, glamourous, charismatic Julia (actually her cross-dressing neighbor, Julian, going out en femme), Nina is seized by an overwhelming and terrifying urge to finally express her own femininity.
Julia/n has not only a slightly split personality but also a thoroughly broken heart. What s/he wants most is a partner who will love both Julia and Julian. While Nina learns from Julia how to be a woman, Julian discovers that they might well be made for each other, but it will take a struggle against prejudice and a whole conservative mind-set before they can follow their hearts, and express their true, unique, and beautiful selves.
#LGBTQ #GENDERQUEER
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 22, 2017
Woman as a Foreign Language is a book I was already excited about reading when I came across an absolutely atrocious review. It was harsh, completely incongruous with the praise I had seen, and did not reflect what I already knew of Katherine Wyvern. Social rebel and literary contrarian that I am, of course, that made me even more anxious to give it a read.
In all honesty, there are only two things wrong with this book, and they are both issues that I bring to it as a reader. The first is that the character of Nina's mother (perfectly described as 'the pudding') is painfully familiar, so much so that she triggered some uncomfortable flashbacks. The second is Julia's chain-smoking, a habit I absolutely detest, which triggered memories of its own. As a reader, I understand that those are my own issues, however, and not a reflection on the story or the author.
Now, having said all of that, I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful, the language perfectly suited to each point-of-view, and the characters wonderfully damaged. At its core, Wyvern twists the usual gender/genre expectations, and that excited me. Here we have a cisgender woman who looks up to her transgender neighbor, from whom she learns to embrace and celebrate her own femininity. That Nina does not initially realize Julia is transgender is both irrelevant and essential to the plot. The fact alone has nothing to do with Nina's admiration, but the way in which it is revealed has much to do with her affection.
This is a book that has a lot to say about gender, gender roles, and gender expectations. It is also a book that is not afraid to acknowledge the difference between female biology and feminine behavior. While readers who come into the story with an agenda may find flaws with its approach, I found it to be genuine and honest. Keep in mind that this a story told through two points-of-view, which means that every statement or observation is that of a character - Nina or Julia - and not that of an omniscient narrator passing judgement. While such a narrator might make a clear declaration that a woman does not have to be feminine to be female, both characters have their own reasons for seeking feminine in themselves, and each other.
As for Julia, I found her character to be fascinating. She is a transgender woman who has not really decided what that means. There is no obsession over labels, no angst over identity, just an honest acknowledgement that Julian is happier, and more comfortable as Julia. As for Nina, she loves both aspects, and sees in Julia a feminine transition to which she can relate. When they do finally become intimate, it is as one woman to another, and the fact that one of them has some extra equipment is happily accommodated, yet never fetishized.
Ultimately, Woman as a Foreign Language is exactly what I look for in an erotic transgender romance. It is gender-positive and sex-positive; erotic and romantic; and painful and funny. It is a literary reflection of life, with two characters I would very much like to get to know, and whom would be welcome in my home (or on my bookshelf) any time.
As published on Bending the Bookshelf
In all honesty, there are only two things wrong with this book, and they are both issues that I bring to it as a reader. The first is that the character of Nina's mother (perfectly described as 'the pudding') is painfully familiar, so much so that she triggered some uncomfortable flashbacks. The second is Julia's chain-smoking, a habit I absolutely detest, which triggered memories of its own. As a reader, I understand that those are my own issues, however, and not a reflection on the story or the author.
Now, having said all of that, I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful, the language perfectly suited to each point-of-view, and the characters wonderfully damaged. At its core, Wyvern twists the usual gender/genre expectations, and that excited me. Here we have a cisgender woman who looks up to her transgender neighbor, from whom she learns to embrace and celebrate her own femininity. That Nina does not initially realize Julia is transgender is both irrelevant and essential to the plot. The fact alone has nothing to do with Nina's admiration, but the way in which it is revealed has much to do with her affection.
This is a book that has a lot to say about gender, gender roles, and gender expectations. It is also a book that is not afraid to acknowledge the difference between female biology and feminine behavior. While readers who come into the story with an agenda may find flaws with its approach, I found it to be genuine and honest. Keep in mind that this a story told through two points-of-view, which means that every statement or observation is that of a character - Nina or Julia - and not that of an omniscient narrator passing judgement. While such a narrator might make a clear declaration that a woman does not have to be feminine to be female, both characters have their own reasons for seeking feminine in themselves, and each other.
As for Julia, I found her character to be fascinating. She is a transgender woman who has not really decided what that means. There is no obsession over labels, no angst over identity, just an honest acknowledgement that Julian is happier, and more comfortable as Julia. As for Nina, she loves both aspects, and sees in Julia a feminine transition to which she can relate. When they do finally become intimate, it is as one woman to another, and the fact that one of them has some extra equipment is happily accommodated, yet never fetishized.
Ultimately, Woman as a Foreign Language is exactly what I look for in an erotic transgender romance. It is gender-positive and sex-positive; erotic and romantic; and painful and funny. It is a literary reflection of life, with two characters I would very much like to get to know, and whom would be welcome in my home (or on my bookshelf) any time.
As published on Bending the Bookshelf
October 4, 2017
This story, Woman as a Foreign Language by Katherine Wyvern, captivated me from beginning to end. The only regret while reading such a story is in knowing the end is too near, but happily the ending was as satisfying as the beginning had been compelling. Fortunately it is also the kind of a story that can be reread and savored again.
The author, Ms. Wyvern, invested the two principal characters, one man and one woman, with deep and complex personalities and troubled histories. The POV (point of view) of the story switches back and forth between them. This helps to show how each character is changing from both POVs. The plot can be looked at from various perspectives. The two principals help each other find themselves and form a complementary whole together. They each are gifted, though some may say burdened, with gender fluid characteristics, and the exotic mix of masculine and feminine personalities in the man finally unleashes the hidden female in the woman after years of repression. This is ultimately a love story between two adults, and the love scenes overflow with sensuous emotion.
The author primarily limited the settings to the places where the principal characters live and work, and used words instead of a paint brush to create a verbal picture and give further insight into their personalities and interests. The home scenes also provided a field of battle as it were when each is confronted with their own arch-nemesis.
The story had a delicious climax with an unexpected twist. The final resolution was eminently satisfying. I heartily recommend this story. It will warm up a dreary day or a chilly night.
The author, Ms. Wyvern, invested the two principal characters, one man and one woman, with deep and complex personalities and troubled histories. The POV (point of view) of the story switches back and forth between them. This helps to show how each character is changing from both POVs. The plot can be looked at from various perspectives. The two principals help each other find themselves and form a complementary whole together. They each are gifted, though some may say burdened, with gender fluid characteristics, and the exotic mix of masculine and feminine personalities in the man finally unleashes the hidden female in the woman after years of repression. This is ultimately a love story between two adults, and the love scenes overflow with sensuous emotion.
The author primarily limited the settings to the places where the principal characters live and work, and used words instead of a paint brush to create a verbal picture and give further insight into their personalities and interests. The home scenes also provided a field of battle as it were when each is confronted with their own arch-nemesis.
The story had a delicious climax with an unexpected twist. The final resolution was eminently satisfying. I heartily recommend this story. It will warm up a dreary day or a chilly night.
March 6, 2018
This was an exceptionally well written love story, the best I've read in quite a few years because it transcended stereotypical-biological gender assignments and looked at people as people. To say more would reveal spoilers, but I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes that love is love. I found myself amazed at the author's skill and envious of her imagination. Her ability to put into words the dialogue that permeated so many intricate scenes allowed them to flow so well from one to the next. This is a mark of a true, master storyteller. There is nothing extraneous here, nothing left unsaid, and nothing to leave a reader wanting.
I fell in love with both main characters, Nina and Julia/Julian. Both were well developed with a perfect balance of history allowing a reader to understand how they come to be where they were at the time of the story's telling. All supporting characters played important roles and helped the story to progress not only intelligently, but also, interestingly.
This is the first book I've read by Katherine Wyvern, and I'll be sure to look out for more. She has joined my very, very short list of MUST READ authors!
I fell in love with both main characters, Nina and Julia/Julian. Both were well developed with a perfect balance of history allowing a reader to understand how they come to be where they were at the time of the story's telling. All supporting characters played important roles and helped the story to progress not only intelligently, but also, interestingly.
This is the first book I've read by Katherine Wyvern, and I'll be sure to look out for more. She has joined my very, very short list of MUST READ authors!
September 22, 2017
Not your average romance, in any sense. I thought this book was both very tender and very moving, even in the parts where it is really hot and kinky. I felt very much for both characters, Nina with her violent past and Julia who has been rejected by her family and lover for her transgender identity. It was beautiful to see them discovering each other and coming together.
A recommended read, also for its beautiful prose, which is really this author's signature.
A recommended read, also for its beautiful prose, which is really this author's signature.
October 6, 2017
It's a beautifully woven and bittersweet story of two lonely and troubled people meeting each other. For them, the matter of who should be wearing a skirt and other rules of gender that seem to be so important and adamant for other people don't mean as much as finally having someone by their side who completes them perfectly.
November 1, 2017
Wow. Wow, wow, wow. This book is amazingly beautiful. The prose is gorgeous, the characters are uniquely memorably, and their relationship is perfectly rendered.
I just had to make a shelf called 'six stars' because five isn't enough.
I just had to make a shelf called 'six stars' because five isn't enough.
December 18, 2017
I was lucky enough to win an ecopy of this title in a blog hop giveaway which TOTALLY made my day because I've had my eye on this one for awhile but Xmas has the 'me money' funds at a major low right now. LOL!
The blurb intrigued the hell out of me, and let me just say that the story more than lived up to my expectations. WaaFL is different than anything I've ever read, but so beautifully written and heart wrenching (in a good way) that I started reading and didn't get up until I finished. The characters drew on my empathy in a way few have before, and I found myself thinking that every single person needs to read this to gain a better understanding of what it means to identify differently than what your physical body dictates to society.
Rarely will I re-read a story, but this one has left me with a book hangover - two days later - that will need to be satisfied in the form of another dose of magic that Katherine has so poignantly woven.
The blurb intrigued the hell out of me, and let me just say that the story more than lived up to my expectations. WaaFL is different than anything I've ever read, but so beautifully written and heart wrenching (in a good way) that I started reading and didn't get up until I finished. The characters drew on my empathy in a way few have before, and I found myself thinking that every single person needs to read this to gain a better understanding of what it means to identify differently than what your physical body dictates to society.
Rarely will I re-read a story, but this one has left me with a book hangover - two days later - that will need to be satisfied in the form of another dose of magic that Katherine has so poignantly woven.
September 26, 2017
This was the great reading surprise of the year! The author intrigued me when she stated, "I did want to write a story about those people who, despite not being transsexuals, do not identify so easily as just man or woman, but are somewhere in-between, often in unlabeled places of the in-between, and, I think, the more beautiful for that." And succeed, she did. Everything about this story is beautiful, from the masterfully crafted atmospheric scenes to the purity of the characters' hearts and souls and their individual developments toward becoming trustful, self-confident, loving persons. Their POVs were so deep, a day later I can still feel like I'm inside their skins, their minds, their core. This book touched me on many levels and is going to stick with me for a long while. I can't recommend it enough!
March 29, 2018
Riveting!
Wow. It's not often that I say "wow" but after reading this, there's not much more I can say. Well, yes there is. Gender is not just black and white, never was, but nowadays more so. This book is about not identifying with gender, one way or another. It's not a long story, and it was a quick read, but it had a lot of context within it. There was quite a change in POVs but in this story, I found it necessary and part of the intensity of the story. It was sensuous and riveting, and beautifully written.
Wow. It's not often that I say "wow" but after reading this, there's not much more I can say. Well, yes there is. Gender is not just black and white, never was, but nowadays more so. This book is about not identifying with gender, one way or another. It's not a long story, and it was a quick read, but it had a lot of context within it. There was quite a change in POVs but in this story, I found it necessary and part of the intensity of the story. It was sensuous and riveting, and beautifully written.
July 1, 2018
Basically this book is a mess of sexism, transphobia and ignorance. - Matt
How am I supposed to buy a romance between these two when one of them wants to change the other one – career, appearance – even before they’ve properly met? - Laura
You can read our full review here .
How am I supposed to buy a romance between these two when one of them wants to change the other one – career, appearance – even before they’ve properly met? - Laura
You can read our full review here .
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews