Up the Creek Book Club

Trans-Sister Radio

by Chris Bohjalian

October 2001

Synopsis

"With 'Trans-Sister Radio' Chris Bohjalian, Bestselling Author of 'Midwives' again confronts his very human characters wtih issues larger than they are, tackling here the explosive issue of gender.

When schoolteacher Allison Banks develops a crush on university professor Dana Stevens, she knows that he will give her what she needs most: gentleness, kindness, passion. Her daughter, Carly, enthusiastically witnesses the change in her mother. But a few months into their relationship, Dana tells Allison his secret: he has always been certain that he is a woman born into the wrong skin, and is considering a sex-change operation. Allison, overwhelmed by the depth of her love, finds herself unable to leave him--but, by deciding to stay, she must face questions most people never even consider. Not only will her own life and Carly's be irrevocably changed, she will have to contend with the outrage of her Vermont community and come to terms with her lover's new sense of self--and hope against hope that their lover will transcend their ingrained notions of what it means to be a man and a woman." (Publisher)

Book Club Rating and Comments

The conversation was lively about this book. Most people thought the book was interesting and informative, delving into areas we didn't know much about. But the general consensus was that the book didn't go deep enough into the question of how much of what we feel about someone is dependent on their gender. Everyone was disappointed in the ending and felt it ruined the book.

If you or your book club has read this book and would like to share your comments, please email us at upthecreekbc@yahoo.com.