I’m not certain if listening to a book as opposed to reading changes my opinion of things, and perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if Susan Faludi was actually the one narrating her story. Regardless, though I sadly never felt fully engaged in the story, the juxtaposition of the biographical material of Susan and her father’s life and the investigative nature within a historical context was beautifully written.

Susan finds out via e-mail that her father has undergone sex reassignment surgery and is now Stefanie. What follows is a journey through their tumultuous relationship as Susan tries to understand her father and how deeply the past can affect the future. The story weighs heavily on the idea of identity – religious, gender, familial and national, which was interesting as all of these themes seem to collide on a regular basis today.

There are several surprises that emerge from her father’s past, and the author makes us feel like we are finding them out at the same time she is, which makes for some funny, heartbreaking, and fascinating moments. All in all, it was a thorough and well-written study of identity, the history that influences us, and how a daughter grapples with the past and present version of her father.

3.5/5 stars

Published: June 14, 2016
Publisher: Metropolitan Books
Author: Susan Faludi
Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Memoir