Product Description

A provocative manifesto, Whipping Girl tells the powerful story of Julia Serano, a transsexual woman whose supremely intelligent writing reflects her diverse background as a lesbian transgender activist and professional biologist. Serano shares her experiences and observations - both pre- and post-transition - to reveal the ways in which fear, suspicion, and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes toward trans women, as well as gender and sexuality as a whole. Serano's well-honed arguments stem from her ability to bridge the gap between the often-disparate biological and social perspectives on gender. She exposes how deep-rooted the cultural belief is that femininity is frivolous, weak, and passive, and how this feminine weakness exists only to attract and appease male desire. In addition to debunking popular misconceptions about transsexuality, Serano makes the case that today's feminists and transgender activist must work to embrace and empower femininity in all of its wondrous forms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99015 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

Customer Reviews

Spot-on book about how the world interacts with Transsexuals
I bought this book, with a view to a quick read , then selling on.
Not possible now as my copy is covered with underlines & notes I made in the margins!
Julia puts into words & a framework structure, many thoughts & half observations I've made about my interactions with the world, & how oppressive, restrictive & judgmental, non-trans people & society at large is.
I'm going to loan it to my parents, & hope the book together with my notes in it, give them more understanding about me.

A great book.

Telling it like it is
This book may not be for everybody but it is really good at analysing and explaining many misconceptions about transgendered people. Well written, well informed and interesting, thankfully not the type of crap that is so often associated with trans-writings. Excellent.

A big moan
This book is one big moan. Society is what it is. Opinions don't change just because one moans about them. Dry to read and depressing to anyone who is trangendered. Don't read it if you want to be uplifted!