Transitions by Danielle Hopkins

Transitions Reviews

• 
  Jules

  By far one of the best anthologies of trans writing I have read so far (and I have read quite a few at this point). It’s quite short but the quality and diversity and frankly importance of these stories easily makes up for that. New comfort book. Already looking forward to rereading this one.
• 
  Trans-cending-literature

  I loved this. Trans narrative often falls into talking about tragedy and all the worst parts of living as trans. This book doesnt. This book is about the mundane and the moments of joy that come with daily trans life. Im an artist currently working on a collection about trans joy and will definitely be taking inspiration from this collection. All of the writing is gorgeous, it is rare to read an anthology without atleast one story that isnt a flop. This book is def quality over quantity.
  I do wish it was more diverse it was largely written from the nonbinary trans masc experience.
• 
  thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books)

  The collection is short but so important and contains some real gems. This is full of wonderful reads and a book that I'd recommend to members of the trans community who are looking for comforting writing and to those outside of the community wishing to look for something more than a ‘guide to’. These individual voices and stories which share the everyday of trans life are organised carefully each is unique and full of joy and warmth. This is one of the most powerful And life affirming books I’ve ever read. Thoroughly recommended to everybody
  
  Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
• 
  Elle

  This is a very short collection of essays centred around the everyday experience of being trans. Considering it’s a little over 112 pages, this collection packs a lot in, running across various themes throughout and capturing a range of different voices. Books like this are incredibly important – on the one hand, for trans folks, it shows moments they will likely identify with, a reminder that they are not alone (I hope!), and for others, it’s a glimpse into trans lives, but more broadly, it’s humanity across these pages, moments we can all recognise in one form or another.
  
  Some feel thoughtful, planned, the writer puzzling over exactly what to write, while others feel more like a stream of consciousness. Moments of anxiety, rage, joy, beauty – all contained in a small package. These voices are placed carefully beside one another, each fresh and unique. It’s not a long read, yet it’s one of the most impactful books I’ve read for a while.
  
  Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.
• 
  Erika Janet

  If you don't mind, would you be able to check out my blog. I post book reviews on there and we have discussions on my Instagram - thank you!
  
  
  Bottles of Books
  This book has been kindly gifted to me by NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  
  Transitions: Our Stories of Being Trans by Various Authors is a short collection of trans joy and non-binary joy experiences attempting to stray away from the over emphasised narrative of trans and non-binary trauma and the over medicalisation of the trans experience. Comprising of 8 short anthropologies, the authors express their everyday experiences and the small events that make them feel loved, happy and comfortable in their identities.
  
  I was really excited to read this book as I don’t think there’s been many books I’ve read, either fiction or non-fiction, which purely homes in on trans and non-binary people, so to be able to read these 8 gems of some people’s experience was really refreshing. I loved the focus on trans and non-binary joy and how heart-warming the stories felt – just a pure expression of love and joy in the face of discrimination, lack of government support and funding and a rise in trans misinformation rhetoric.
  
  The writing of these were all beautiful, which is definitely a bonus! Some of the authors, most notably Ezra Woodger, whose anecdote resonated with me, moved me with their gorgeous writing and eloquent expression of trans resilience.
  
  The only drawback I found was how short it is, which I think is reflected in the fact that most of the stories seemed to be from a more trans masc non-binary perspective instead of being perhaps a little more diverse. However, these collections could likely be published every year with new authors, so I’d love to see this project expanded further.
  
  Overall, this is a lovely little book to read, especially if you’re discovering your gender identity at the moment. I think its expected to talk about the hardships of being non-cis and non-heterosexual, but the beauty of these stories is they acknowledged their pain, trauma and negative experiences and still chose to focus on pure trans joy.
• 
  Lindsey

  Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
  
  This is a really great essay collection. It's full of trans and non-binary joy. It acknowledges that there are hardships that come with living outside the gender binary but it focuses on queer love and joyous moments. My favorite essays were "An Eagle at Sunset" and "My Amazing Mostly Monochrome Dreamcoat."
  
  There were only two things I slightly disliked about this collection. 1, it is rather short; there are only eight essays. I would have preferred a ninth essay rather than lined pages in the back to write my own since I could write such a thing anywhere if I were so inspired. and 2, it was written during the pandemic with many essays referencing that and I'm afraid it will date itself quickly because of that.
  
  Overall I think this is a great collection and an important addition to trans literature.
• 
  Zoe Jackson

  Much writing on trans & non-binary experiences focuses on trauma or the medical aspects of (some people's) transition. In 'Transitions' this narrative is challenged, as the contributors share stories of joy, resilience, and community.
  
  The collection is short but thoughtfully collated, containing some real gems. A wonderful read that I'd recommend to members of the trans community seeking nuanced, comforting writing and to those outside of the community wishing to look beyond 'trans 101' texts for more individual stories of trans life and joy.
  
  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Emily

  This is a super interesting collection. It's filled with stories of trans joy, which we don't see nearly enough of, and I really appreciated reading from perspectives that are so different from my own.
  
  I absolutely loved a few essays in this collection, but at about the halfway point, I ended up DNFing it. Maybe (almost definitely) it was because I just wasn't in the right headspace at the time to give these essays the attention they deserved, but some of them just felt a little underdeveloped and I wasn't vibing with the writing anymore. I may circle back to this collection when I'm in a better, more receptive place!
• 
  Kris Rowland

  A diverse collection of trans personal histories that tries to broaden the trans narrative. From the everyday to the inspirational to the heartbreak it's a gorgeous collection, that is so well written. I was excited to read on. I just wish it was longer. Maybe see some of these writers novels someday.
• 
  Alison Fiona Mckay

  Beautiful and uplifting. Trans stories about everyday trans experiences. A comforting book made special not only because of the entries themselves but also because there is a space at the end for you to write in your own experiences. This was an excellent library find.
• 
  Kristin

  I appreciated being able to read stories that were about small moments and everyday experiences. Many stories seem to focus on the deepest traumas. Each story was thoughtful and poignant in its own unique way. An excellent collection of newer authors!
• 
  Ollie Sherwin

  i cried a lot
• 
  charlotte

  4.5 stars - beautiful anthology of trans/queer/neurodiverse stories :)
• 
  Oli

  I hope this sparks a thousand more anthologies
• 
  Rachel

  4.5 stars
• 
  maisy

  Pure queer power and affirmation. No words could explain or expand on how moved I felt by this.
• 
  eleanor g

  Gorgeous. I cried at 3 separate points reading this anthology, so much of it really hit home and I resonated deeply. Really moving
• 
  Zina

  Particularly enjoyed "Walk in My Shoes" by Kirrin Medcalf and "Banana" by Harry Mizumoto.
• 
  El

  A delightful anthology of trans stories, sped through it in a couple of hours and only complaint is I wish there were more of it. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC.