Book Review : Birthing Me : Memoirs of a Transwoman

13th June 2024

The joy inches a level high when you get to know someone you know is looking to write a book, seek your help and accomplish it against all odds! "Birthing Me" is that book for me. I say this to her every time we chat, but I am not hesitating to say it publicly today, "Living life on your terms comes with a price and requires a lot of courage. I am happy and proud to see you doing that!"
Yes, I know Nyna since 2018.
But that is not the reason for this review.
As the subtitle clearly says, these are memoirs of a transwoman. It is her journey that she takes you through, her dilema, the jitters that she feels, the fiasco, the social barrier and in total all the highs and lows that she has faced and been through. I appreciate the honesty with which she has clearly drawn a line as to which aspects of her journey she wishes to share and which she doesn't. Some incidents that will remain with me are:
1) Nyna's first outing.
2) Mumbai - where Nyna spends her first outing as a woman with her school friend.
3) Malls don't judge.
4) Gudiya ( I have known this part of story previously through one of her social media posts in a closed group) A clear illustration of what happens when one human decides to only help the other without judging and without any agenda.
5) Nyna's hotchpotch feelings throughout the pageantry events.



I love her take on sexuality & gender, the clarity is intimidating and it takes time to sink in. The fact that she prepared herself financially way ahead in time than she realised her other side makes me feel like patting her back for being such a visionary and thoughtful.
The language is lucid and easily understandable. The cover is beautiful. The way each chapter introduces a different picture of Nyna (real picture illustrated) is particulalry commendable. Do give this book a read to understand Nyna's journey. I hope her memoirs change your perspective of LGBTQI. Also, I request all the readers to be inclusive to the community not only for a month, but all year long!

This post is a part of OutAndAboutBlogHop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai .