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Annabel

Kathleen Winter

Start date: July 1, 2011

Finish date: July 31, 2011

Discussion leader: Diane

Why we're reading this: Diane's Moderator Choice…more
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Mar 06, 2011 Deana rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, read-friend

BRIEF synopsis, that doesn't even begin to get into things ... A baby is born in the 1960s in northern Canada that has both male and female sexual organs. This is the story of that baby's life and how the family dealt with the situation. Very interesting and unique and controversial topic for a story, and yet I thought the author pulled it off in general and her writing is mostly very beautiful. I didn't really relate to the characters, though.

General thoughts...

1. There was a lot more talk abo BRIEF synopsis, that doesn't even begin to get into things ... A baby is born in the 1960s in northern Canada that has both male and female sexual organs. This is the story of that baby's life and how the family dealt with the situation. Very interesting and unique and controversial topic for a story, and yet I thought the author pulled it off in general and her writing is mostly very beautiful. I didn't really relate to the characters, though.

General thoughts...

1. There was a lot more talk about vaginas and orgasms and etc etc than I was expecting and it startled me every time those words popped in. The writing was so beautiful and these parts were just thrown in bluntly and they sort of jabbed me through the beautiful writing. Maybe that was the point? But it was jarring and uncomfortable, and I'm not usually uncomfortable talking about sexual organs, you know?

2. I notice a lot of comments revolve around making the decision to choose a sex for the baby rather than just letting the baby be as it was born. You do have to remember that this was supposed to be the 1960s. We've made a lot of progress since them, things are definitely more acceptable now than they were then. And you also have to remember, these small isolated northern towns are about 20 years behind everyone else :P Being from a small northern town myself, I am reminded of that every time I go home. I think his life would have been hell if people had known.

In the same vein, I think raising him as a boy but -telling- him about his condition may not have been the best choice either. Well, let me rephrase. He definitely should have been told SOMETHING and a lot sooner than he was. But how old is the right age to tell someone something like that? 5 is surely too young .. I can just see a 5 year old blabbering on like they do and telling strangers in the grocery store like they tell people when they have to pee... But is 7 too young? 10?

SERIOUS SPOILER AHEAD
And when he (view spoiler)

Er anyway, if I had a child with this condition, I would probably choose to raise it as a girl to the public world, at least until the child is old enough to make a decision. After all, it's far more acceptable (even today) for girls to like boy things and wear boy clothes than the other way around.

3. Ok, 2 was long, so I'll cut this short. I loved the writing and the writing style. I am impressed that someone was able to write about such a sensitive topic and really address a lot of issues in a beautiful book. And I loved reading the descriptions of the small canadian town and people -- reminded me of home. But none of the characters (including Wayne) really spoke to me, and the "plot" really didn't speak to me, and the ending was sort of up in the air. I'm glad I read it, but it won't become a favorite or anything. ...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Debbie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Probably 3.5 stars

I liked the premise of this book. I found it very hard to read and had a hard time connecting with any of the characters.

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