Excellent storytelling by Playdon, the cofounder of the UK's Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity, and transgender narrator Rebecca Root quickly pulls listeners into a life story that created a gap in British social justice law. Ewan Forbes (1912-1991) lived his life as male from early childhood, supported in his identity by his family and peers. Although he won a 1965 court case based on the law of male primogeniture, the 500 pages of legal documents generated were locked away immediately, and British law was altered to punish trans people. Only in 1998 were the case's details released. As the legal and cultural elements unfold, Forbes and his family are kept at the center of the story by Playdon's beautifully descriptive passages and Root's fine pacing and subtle voicing.
Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2021
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797133713
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Zoë Bossiere gives a quiet, thoughtful performance of their memoir about their trans boyhood in an Arizona trailer park. Their stories of boyhood in the desert are full of contradictions: the ease of being known and understood as a boy by their friends and neighbors, and the alienation caused by teachers who tried to force them into a gender that didn't fit. Their narration is understated but emotional. Their voice is full of tenderness for their younger self, and the adult understanding they bring to stories of their childhood adds layers of depth to already vivid scenes. The skill and nuance with which Bossiere shares their particular trans story is a moving, much-needed counterpoint to the idea that everyone's gender follows a simple linear trajectory.
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798891788756
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Author and narrator CeCé Telfer shares her compelling and timely story in this candid memoir. Born in Jamaica, CeCé knew she was female from a very early age but faced cultural and family pressure to hide her authentic self. CeCé's delivery is passionate and raw; she doesn't shy away from heartbreaking details. However, her narration is disjointed in parts. As she travels from Jamaica to Canada and New Hampshire, she shares the intimate details of her life. Throughout this journey her passion for running and her talent on the track remain constants. Listeners will find themselves immersed in CeCé's story as they learn about the social and political factors that impact her ability to achieve her goal of competing in the Olympics.
Pub Date: June 18, 2024
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668641880
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
