Review: A Queer and Pleasant Danger by Kate Bornstein
Title: A Queer and Pleasant Danger: The True Story of a Nice Jewish Boy Who Joins the Church of Scientology and Leaves Twelve Years Later to Become the Lovely Lady She is Today
Author: Bornstein, Kate
Length: 280 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, GLBTQ
Publisher / Year: Beacon Press / 2012
Source: From the publisher at Book Expo America 2012.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: I have a bit of a crush on Kate Bornstein… But really, who doesn’t?
Date Read: 29/06/12
I’m not sure how much I can say about this book without just fangirling all over it. Incredibly personal and revealing, Bornstein takes us along with her through her early years as a Jewish boy in New Jersey, to years in the Church of Scientology – including on the flagship vessel, to becoming the trans activist and inspiration that she is today.
Throughout, Bornstein shares her struggles to be honest, even going so far as to have ‘I must not tell lies’ tattooed on the back of her hand, aiming to give her daughter and grandchildren something to learn about her through if ever they look her up. She gives an unflinching account of her experiences with her gender and sexuality, and attempts to live what she considered a ‘normal’ life, with marriage and kids and a steady job.
Winding back and forth through different periods of her life, the book doesn’t follow a straight narrative, but yet is easy to follow. Starting roughly with her entry into the Church of Scientology, she then moves forward, including many flashbacks to explain life up to that point. The method worked to keep it all relevant and flowing, mixing bits of information from the current time in the narrative with related points in the past. Certainly a very readable and engaging way to tell the story, as it felt like memory would, a bit meandering but staying mostly on topic and on track.
Highly recommended to all who are interested in religion, in family, in gender, in sexuality, or just in life itself. Bornstein truly has much to teach us all.
I love your enthusiasm, Amy! I’ve been meaning to read something by Bornstein for ages and this sounds absolutely perfect
Perfect doesn’t describe it Ana
Really great read. Now I must finally read the other books by her I have on my to read shelf – of course part of the issue is that people keep borrowing them from me….
Thank you, Miss Amy. It’s me, Kate. Shifting gears to a more forward, more linear narrative in part three of the book was a risk my editor and I agreed to take. You’re the first person to give feedback on that shift in styles—and with this review, you explained to me that it worked, and why it worked. I’m grateful, and way glad you liked it as much as you did xoxo K
PS — it’s very sweet that you wrote the bit about the crush. gave me a happy morning smile. <3
Thank you so much for stopping by Miss Kate! I loved the shift and am glad to hear the feedback was useful! xoxo
Also *faints*
OMG, you got a comment from Kate Bornstein. I’m having a fangirl moment for her–and for you.
ME TOO Niranjana!
Oh wow, this does sound like an incredible book, and one that might really open my eyes to the different topics that the author addresses. I am really curious about the Scientology bits. It’s a religion that I find fascinating, yet so, so dangerous. Very engaging and thoughtful review today! I really loved it!
Yes, and a religion that it seems hard to really learn much about – though I do know other books exist. It was a really interesting read zibilee.
I love books like this and admire the author for her honesty.
Definitely a great read for that reason among others Kathy.
This sounds fascinating. I have added it to my reading list. Thanks.
I hope you really enjoy it Heather!
A good review of a fascinating and inetresting book.
Thank you very much readinpleasure.
Ohhhh, this reminds me that Gender Outlaw has been sitting in my TBR pile for far too long. I have to get it off the shelf and into my brain.
This one sounds great too but I’m not going to let myself read it until I’ve read the book I already own. Your review makes that hard, tho.
Mine as well k! I want to read it right away, but a friend still has it… must track it back down. This one was pretty amazing…