(no subject)

[alexseanchai]

Has anybody read The Bone Doll's Twin et al by Lynn Flewelling? 'Cause—spoilers!—I'm thinking that trilogy is a trans narrative, but I'm not wholly convinced our lead is a trans character. Opinions?

Comments

[madgastronomer]

Yep. Several times. I would not consider the character to be trans. There's no expressed gender dysphoria, although there's an adjustment period after the change. The character personally does not seem to have much gender identity. The author, honestly, doesn't seem to have much idea that gender identity independent of plumbing is a thing that exists in the world (she's a straight woman who is really, really into slash, with no apparent awareness of the greater issues queer people face). But internal to the books, I'd say the character just isn't strongly gender identified at all.

[alexseanchai]

Nod. Thanks!

[madgastronomer]

My wife, who is trans, disagrees, and says that because the character has no apparent gender identity or dysphoria, it's not a trans narrative, either, but a simple transformation story. Other than a (magical) change of body and social role, the story has no elements in common with trans experience, and so can't really be called a trans narrative, either. She also says she's seen that phrasing debated before, with trans people taking either side, but predominantly the no-it-isn't side. She's not particularly offended or upset by the interpretation, she just doesn't agree.

[alexseanchai]

Nodnod.

[aldersprig]

I'd say that suits my experience with both the Bone Doll's Twin series and the Darkrunner series.