Thursday, January 13, 2011"She's My Dad" ~~ Astonishing~Clever and Timely Book
Astonishing clever book~~entertaining, interesting, shocking and an easy read. It's no wonder "She's My Dad" was chosen as a "Finalist - Next Generation Indie Book Awards."
Iolanthe Woulff gives a shadowy window into the little-known world of a transsexual in the most liberal of environments, a college created by a gay man for "alternate lifestyle" learners and educaters.
With honesty and no-uncertain-terms storytelling, Ms Woulff shares what appears to be her personal experiences with both the homosexual lifestyle and the challenges of life as a transsexual.
While her writing is sound and intelligent with characters believable for the most part, I found the main character, transsexual professor, Nickie Farrell, somewhat flat and lacking. We do get her reactions and relationships to the college people around her, but Nickie's personal background...the hows and whys of how she made the choice for her transformation and the challenges of that journey, are glaringly absent. I was left wanting more. Her swift dismissal of emotional "hits" and her oddly superficial reactions of running away for a few days and having brief talks with her friend leave Nickie rather an empty shell.
"She's My Dad" contains strong language and imagery that seems geared toward those who are familiar with a darker side of life, or have experienced it personally. There is much having to do with the downside of homosexuality and violence surrounding it. However, here is where Ms Woulff's strongest and most realistic writing emerges! And, in my humble opinion, I think she has the makings of a fabulous Stephen Kingish author.
In conclusion, though I would not recommend this book for all readers, I have to applaud Ms Woulff for her courage in bringing us this book about the life of a transsexual. It is a timely and important story. It carries the hope of understanding, acceptance and love for all kinds of people no matter what they are inside and out.
The Bookish Dame/Deborah P.
Astonishing clever book~~entertaining, interesting, shocking and an easy read. It's no wonder "She's My Dad" was chosen as a "Finalist - Next Generation Indie Book Awards."
Iolanthe Woulff gives a shadowy window into the little-known world of a transsexual in the most liberal of environments, a college created by a gay man for "alternate lifestyle" learners and educaters.
With honesty and no-uncertain-terms storytelling, Ms Woulff shares what appears to be her personal experiences with both the homosexual lifestyle and the challenges of life as a transsexual.
While her writing is sound and intelligent with characters believable for the most part, I found the main character, transsexual professor, Nickie Farrell, somewhat flat and lacking. We do get her reactions and relationships to the college people around her, but Nickie's personal background...the hows and whys of how she made the choice for her transformation and the challenges of that journey, are glaringly absent. I was left wanting more. Her swift dismissal of emotional "hits" and her oddly superficial reactions of running away for a few days and having brief talks with her friend leave Nickie rather an empty shell.
"She's My Dad" contains strong language and imagery that seems geared toward those who are familiar with a darker side of life, or have experienced it personally. There is much having to do with the downside of homosexuality and violence surrounding it. However, here is where Ms Woulff's strongest and most realistic writing emerges! And, in my humble opinion, I think she has the makings of a fabulous Stephen Kingish author.
In conclusion, though I would not recommend this book for all readers, I have to applaud Ms Woulff for her courage in bringing us this book about the life of a transsexual. It is a timely and important story. It carries the hope of understanding, acceptance and love for all kinds of people no matter what they are inside and out.
The Bookish Dame/Deborah P.
Shes My Dad by Iolanthe Woulff ISDN 978-1-4327-4377-2
Woulff has written nothing short of the most amazing GLBT novel this reviewer has read. With the back cover summary starting with the quote Hate destroys everything. Dont let it destroy you she fills the readers imagination with true-to-life people coming to grips with modern day realities.
Nick Farrington was a typical college student at Windfield college in Virginia. He sowed wild oats, partied and learned. By the way, Nicks eyes are different colors, one blue and one brown. In an accident of oversight, Luanne becomes pregnant with Nicks child. Nick has graduated and gone to parts unknown without learning of this. Luanne cannot bear to lose the only memory of their time together so she brings the child into the world and lets her husband, Jay-bo Skinner, believe that Collie was his own.
Time flies and the story starts again 26 years later. Collie has grown into a strapping young man struggling to make ends meet for his family. His father, Jay-Bo, is a washed up Virginia Highway Patrolman, squeaking by on Luannes and Collies incomes. Also, Collies eyes are different colors giving him a feature that stands out to anyone meeting him.
Part One is aptly titled The Hating where Woulff leads the reader into a tangled web of mystery and secrets. Part Two is The Redemption. The juxtaposition of Hate and Redemption is ironic and very revealing of Woulffs outlook.
Multiple threads are woven expertly into an intricate thriller plot. There are Collie and his family. Nick Farrigton has transitioned into the transgendered Nickie Farrell, and is now a first year professor at Windfield. Windfield is a very liberal and open institution and Nickie fits in very well. However, the local community views Windfield and its inhabitants as licentious and decadent.
Add to this cast of characters a cantankerous Congressman trying to restore his part of Virginia to a pristine state, pre Windfield College, and a secretive bar owner whos been known to do some unsavory things in the past. Jay-bo is an ardent homophobe and bigoted southerner that finds out his other son is having a Neo-Greek (read homosexual) relationship with an anti-gay terrorist.. The secondary characters fill in the details with life, tension, and passion.
Woulff displays her writing craft throughout the book. The plot is flawless and intriguing. The characters are engaging and very real. The social issues addressed range from homophobia to lesbian bias and right through to transgendered prejudice. In conjunction with exploring GLBT themes, this is a true thriller. This reviewer would recommend this book to everyone who lives in contemporary American society. This is point-on about issues being dealt with on a national level but, also, on a local level as well with a passionate intensity.
5 Stars
Published by Outskirts Press, Inc., Denver, CO (www.ourskirtspress.com) SRP $19.95/Amazon $17.97) Reviewer received the book from the author.
Woulff has written nothing short of the most amazing GLBT novel this reviewer has read. With the back cover summary starting with the quote Hate destroys everything. Dont let it destroy you she fills the readers imagination with true-to-life people coming to grips with modern day realities.
Nick Farrington was a typical college student at Windfield college in Virginia. He sowed wild oats, partied and learned. By the way, Nicks eyes are different colors, one blue and one brown. In an accident of oversight, Luanne becomes pregnant with Nicks child. Nick has graduated and gone to parts unknown without learning of this. Luanne cannot bear to lose the only memory of their time together so she brings the child into the world and lets her husband, Jay-bo Skinner, believe that Collie was his own.
Time flies and the story starts again 26 years later. Collie has grown into a strapping young man struggling to make ends meet for his family. His father, Jay-Bo, is a washed up Virginia Highway Patrolman, squeaking by on Luannes and Collies incomes. Also, Collies eyes are different colors giving him a feature that stands out to anyone meeting him.
Part One is aptly titled The Hating where Woulff leads the reader into a tangled web of mystery and secrets. Part Two is The Redemption. The juxtaposition of Hate and Redemption is ironic and very revealing of Woulffs outlook.
Multiple threads are woven expertly into an intricate thriller plot. There are Collie and his family. Nick Farrigton has transitioned into the transgendered Nickie Farrell, and is now a first year professor at Windfield. Windfield is a very liberal and open institution and Nickie fits in very well. However, the local community views Windfield and its inhabitants as licentious and decadent.
Add to this cast of characters a cantankerous Congressman trying to restore his part of Virginia to a pristine state, pre Windfield College, and a secretive bar owner whos been known to do some unsavory things in the past. Jay-bo is an ardent homophobe and bigoted southerner that finds out his other son is having a Neo-Greek (read homosexual) relationship with an anti-gay terrorist.. The secondary characters fill in the details with life, tension, and passion.
Woulff displays her writing craft throughout the book. The plot is flawless and intriguing. The characters are engaging and very real. The social issues addressed range from homophobia to lesbian bias and right through to transgendered prejudice. In conjunction with exploring GLBT themes, this is a true thriller. This reviewer would recommend this book to everyone who lives in contemporary American society. This is point-on about issues being dealt with on a national level but, also, on a local level as well with a passionate intensity.
5 Stars
Published by Outskirts Press, Inc., Denver, CO (www.ourskirtspress.com) SRP $19.95/Amazon $17.97) Reviewer received the book from the author.
