First published in 2013 and now available in audio, Binnie’s first book is paramount in the small, but ever-growing, world of transgender fiction. Sincerely narrated by Binnie herself, the first half of the book focuses on Maria’s life as a transgender woman working in an “anonymous” large bookstore in lower Manhattan. Listeners will be party to Maria’s internal monologue as she decouples from her partner and loses her job. Halfway through the book, Maria takes off driving west and meets James in Nevada. Through his young eyes, listeners can see the aging, running, and worldly Maria. James is conflicted about his own sexuality and gender and sees this as an opportunity to learn from Maria. Their dialogue reveals the intricacies of identity and sexuality. It is a delight to finally be able to access this story through audio. Binnie’s voice might as well be Maria’s—entirely authentic as it ranges from apathetic to conversational. Binnie ends the audiobook with a lesson on the landscape of trans literature and her own experience with this story.
VERDICT A must-have for LGBTQ+ representation in audiobooks, and a great way to introduce new readers to this contemporary classic.
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