Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition

by Munroe Bergdorf

The wise, life-changing, ground-breaking book from writer and activist Munroe Bergdorf. Transitioning is an alignment of the invisible and the physical. It is truth rising to the surface. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition—a part of our experience as a conscious being, no matter who we are. As time goes on, we all develop as people. None of us ever becomes someone else entirely—regardless of how we identify—but nor do we stay the same forever. We all transition. It's what binds us, not what separates us. In Transitional , activist and writer Munroe Bergdorf draws on her own experience and theory from key experts, change-makers and activists to reveal just how deeply ingrained transitioning is in human experience. This is a book to help bring us closer to a shared a powerful guide to how our differences can be harnessed as a tool to heal, build community, and construct a better society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, LGBT, Queer, Transgender, Feminism, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Emily B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this but unfortunately I didn't. It was interesting and informative but didn't fully meet my expectations.

This seemed to be a memoir of sorts but lacked the depth and richness of a memoir. It felt like a lot wasn't said or expanded upon which would have benefited the book if it was. As a result I didn't feel like I got to know Munroe Bergdort by reading this book

[Charley Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this book. As someone who often struggles to really ingest academic writing, but who has a keen interest in social issues, the way that Bergdorf has so expertly combined her own story with such beautifully constructed discussions of the relevant issues absolutely shone through to me. As a trans woman, the way she writes and conveys her experiences feels like she is saying all the things I've never been able to put into words. However it is not only validating for someone like me, but I believe that it would also be incredibly understandable to a cisgender audience, exploring things in a way that is easy to follow without sacrificing its detail. This book has the very real potential to change somebody, or, for someone like me, simply be a thoroughly insightful, powerful and magnetic read.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read this book. Trying to balance out the bot reviews.

[Krystle Carrington · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a badly written book; it’s poorly structured and it was a struggle to finish. I bought it thinking it was a memoir or autobiography but it’s actually “reflections from her own life”, so the life story we’re given is incomplete, somewhat self-serving and feels dishonest. I was wondering why, two thirds through the (short) book, it wasn’t clear why the writer had chosen to reveal so little of herself and to hide behind her political values, when I realised she had produced a version of her life suitable for her current and future employers. It’s unfortunate as I’m sure her actual life story is more interesting than the sanitised version presented here. The book really only comes alive in a brief section about Pxssy Palace in the final chapter. There’s a better book to be written here and a more authentic one, in time.

[Dona's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5

trigger warnings: SA, child SA, ED, mental illness and stigma, addiction, violence against women, violence against LGBTQ people

[Carolyn Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Transitional” by @munroebergdorf Munroe Bergdorf . Her story of growing up as a queer kid of colour in the UK in the late 80s onwards. The first trans woman of colour to model for L’Oreal then subsequently dumped when she spoke out about racism - only to get them to apologize and re hire once people actually began accepting that systemic racism is and has always happened . As a cis gender white woman with a trans daughter this was a hard listen at times BUT it’s a dialogue we should ALL be listening to and taking part in. This book is slated for publication on 16th Feb in UK and 21st in Canada Thanks to @talismanonpender @librofm @harpercollins @harpercollinsca @harperaudio for the advanced listening copy #ALC of this book #readmorebooks #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #lbgtq #translivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #blm

[angel ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My decision to transition was a life adjustment, not a life change. We do not all of a sudden become a whole different person upon the realisation of our transness. None of us becomes a whole different person the moment we start presenting ourselves in a way that aligns with who we are on the inside. We do not change just because people start to see us differently from how they initially perceived us. And what struck me when I started to contemplate these ideas around my transition, was just how deeply transitioning is ingrained in our human experience. It is not a process that only trans people go through: transitioning is universal.” (p. 2)

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transitional is a memoir and manifesto by Munroe Bergdorf, trans model and activist, exploring her childhood and growing up, finding love, sex, and fame, and living as a Black woman. Each chapter is focused on a theme—'Adolescence', 'Love', 'Gender', 'Race' etc—and is mostly a memoir, with some parts moving more into guide and manifesto around the central theme of the idea that everyone transitions in some way.

I was expecting from the blurb for this to be more of a manifesto than a memoir, when really it's the other way around for a lot of the book, with a lot focused on Bergdorf's own experiences and drawing out her conclusions from that, but by the end the book moves more towards her activism and the importance of activism and spaces and communities for making change. From growing up black in a mostly white area to being fired by L'Oréal for a social media post denouncing racism, the parts exploring race and racism were particularly interesting, and by the end of the book this is connected up with Black feminist theory, linking personal together with theory. At other points in the book, there were some generalised statements about how, people are viewed in society that felt less backed up, for example how bisexuality and gender intersect, and it would've been good to know if that was based on statistics or was more of an opinion as it was presented as a fact without comment.

There are a fair number of mainstream trans memoirs out there now and this one goes over a lot of the expected areas—growing up, sex, transitioning, mental health—whilst also getting into things like the fashion industry and social media algorithms. It covers a lot in a short space, and whilst I wish there was more within the book to build upon the idea from the introduction and ending that everyone transitions in life, it offers an insight into Bergdorf's life and what has impacted her life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of memoir, sort of manifesto, from trans model and activist Munroe Bergdorf. This is fairly short and easy to read (she's very good at making complex ideas very accessible) so I've given a high rating despite it's limitations as there's good stuff in there and I leant a lot.

Essentially though, it feels like it was rushed out – there's a better book in here somewhere. She is very open but you don't come away feeling like you know her at all, and the structure is a bit all over the place. I hope Bergdorf will write a proper memoir when she's ready, as I'd be keen to read it.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book knowing that I wouldn’t necessarily agree with the all the author’s views, but I feel that’s exactly why I should read it. It’s important to experience the viewpoints of others.
The story of Munroe’s life is fascinating, often heartbreaking, and told beautifully, with such intimacy. Many of her views and observations on how society works (or doesn’t) were insightful and struck a chord. As expected, there were some that I couldn’t agree with, and there was one stand-out factual error that an editor should have corrected.
But overall, I’m glad to have read the book, and feel that I’ve gained some insight.

[suzannah ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I was kindly sent a copy of this book as part of a read along with Tandem Collective on Instagram

This book is an absolute gem and a must read! Exploring race, gender, lgbtq+ rights, and many other significantly important issues, Transitional is Munroe Bergdorf’s powerful story about how she overcame challenges and how she fought for equality and change. This book is educational, authentic, and absolutely incredible.

[Laura O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always find it difficult to critique someone's memoir when it's their life, and they have chosen where to draw the lines in terms of sharing. That being said, I feel like Munroe really held back in terms of what was shared. She describes a period where she was suicidal and then sectioned. The next paragraph literally jumps forward with "I got through university and graduated with a 2:1".

I feel like this book is informative and concepts like intersectionality and transgender experience are well written, but the book lacked something I'm not sure I can put my finger on.

I think this is another case of someone with an online presence being encouraged to write a book, when actually they could write a much better book in a few more years.

Book provided by NetGalley.

[Reader rainbow_reads_review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brutally honest reflection on life. This is not a memoir, so if you’re looking for a life story, this probably isn’t it. This is anecdotes about different facets of transition in life.

This book discusses really hard topics relating to growing up a black trans kid in the 80s. It discusses discrimination still today and how performative activism isn’t enough.

I thought this was an interesting book. It is a great perspective on life, and gives unique insights on living. However, I felt the writing wasn’t well done in parts, and couldn’t get past some of the issues with the writing itself.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to rate this higher. I love Munroe, I loved the content around her own life but I wanted MORE.

A 3.5 really, the structure and poor editing made it harder to read.

Ultimately, there are a lot of important points raised in this book, I just wish it went a little deeper.

[Sophie Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book tricky - although I was fascinated and moved by Munroe’s story, I found it an uncomfortable read as the story line jumped more than occasionally making it difficult to follow.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into it, at first I just thought it was a memoir, dabbling in discussing social and political issues - which it is - but it’s so much more than that. I think its primary value is in offering a representation she talks about never quite existing before. Whilst I’m not black or trans, just as a gay man there were parts I could personally understand. In times like today it’s vital we listen to black, trans, and queer voices on the issues she raises, and Bergdorf is an exceptional voice to listen to. Plus, she signed my copy, and told me she loved my Lauryn Hill t-shirt when she did 😎💗 … I just wish it hadn’t taken me two years to actually read it.

[Izzy Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong this book is a great intro to a lot of important social topics - but I feel this book has an identity crisis.

It's too short to really explore each social issue in depth as well as limiting the insight into Munroe's life.

I would have loved this to be a longer read with more depth, especially as Bergdorf writes in a succinct accessible way, which allows readers to approach new topics with a level of comfort

[Mia]

“There was only one trans narrative in the mainstream and that was tragedy.”

“You feel better about yourself when other people give their approval. This is how society works, it’s normalised, internalised, considered the natural way of being.”

“You cannot love someone fully in their complexity unless you love yourself in your own.”

[Willow Heath]

Munroe Bergdorf’s Transitonal is one of those wonderfully savvy non-fiction books that uses the framework of personal memoir to tell a broader story about a specific concept...

My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/transgender-s...

[Niall Kiely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bergdorf presents a very interesting memoir/manifesto about her life and how all humans 'transition', whether through age, gender, sexuality, purpose etc.
Surprisingly some of it felt as if it was made more palatable to appeal to a wider audience but I hope she'll write more

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Jesse Tyler Lobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a lot of reviews of this memoir miss the point lol

[Lindsay B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, could not put it down. A wonderfully written story of the hardships faced by this beautiful woman. Highly reccommend this important piece of work.

[CJ Opal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Munroe ❤️ This book is gorgeous. Bergdorf's honesty and vulnerability in telling her story made me feel like a trusted confidante. She delivers her personal experiences with the edge of an activist showing her audience how all the dots connect, how her experience is not unique because the path she had to walk was formed by institutionalized racism, homophobia, misogyny, and transphobia. Her story isn't just about a personal fight to be oneself, it's about learning to acknowledge the way the world around us is built, and fight it for the sake of each other. Bergdorf's story gave me insight into my own transition I hadn't yet realized for myself, and I'm grateful that she has shared it with us.

[Katie Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I gobbled this up!! Followed munroe on insta for ages but didn’t know much about her. Then heard her on a podcast and thought I simply must read this! It was sooo sad, and soo inspiring. I loved how the chapters were divided and found her takes really insightful. Will re-read for sure!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving and very open memoir, and I think it was incredibly brave of Munroe to write it given the current absolute state of the UK. For that it deserves 5*. In terms of actual reading experience I’d probably give it 4, as the structure hadn’t quite decided whether to be chronological or thematic, which made it repetitive at times.

[Phil Hodgkiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I though I might enjoy this book but it left me a little disappointed. Very similar to the Mel B one I recently read, wanting more but never getting it.

[Tom Allen Olivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Munroe has to say is important, candid and often uncomfortable because it’s true. However, I felt that as a structure, this book tried to pack too many things in and didn’t flow well. I think I’d have preferred it if she’d split some of the chapters into whole separate projects so she could go into more detail. Still worth a read, but a little frustrating!

[Kade Hendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully and honestly written from cover to cover. centring the importance of intersectionality throughout & calling out the cis, het, white, able normative narrative, munroe brings her story to life while telling so many others. great read, support black trans women.