Detransition, BabyDetransition, Baby
What it's about
Reese is a trans woman in New York who badly wants to be a mother. Her ex, Amy, has detransitioned and now lives as Ames, and Ames has just gotten his boss, Katrina, pregnant. Ames, uncertain he wants to be a father, proposes that the three of them raise the baby together. All three have to decide what family means to them.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Goodreads Choice finalist, and the New York Times named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It's funny, sharp and tender about gender, motherhood and love.
You'll love it if you liked
Stag Dance
The Argonauts
Normal PeopleGood to know
It's frank about sex and moves back and forth in time.
By the numbers
- Readers21 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
More by Torrey Peters
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Quick answers
Is Detransition, Baby worth reading?
Yes. It was a Goodreads Choice finalist, and the New York Times named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It ranks #1,950 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Detransition, Baby about?
Reese is a trans woman in New York who badly wants to be a mother. Her ex, Amy, has detransitioned and now lives as Ames, and Ames has just gotten his boss, Katrina, pregnant. Ames, uncertain he wants to be a father, proposes that the three of them raise the baby together. All three have to decide what family means to them.
How long does it take to read Detransition, Baby?
About 8 hours (320 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Detransition, Baby?
If you liked it, try Stag Dance by Torrey Peters, The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson or Normal People by Sally Rooney.