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January 23rd, 2007
 | 03:43 pm - Aaron's Book: What Becomes You
Over the weekend, I finally had a chance to read the entirety of an advance copy of What Becomes You by Aaron Raz Link & Hilda Raz.
This is a book about his transition by my dear friend Aaron, who I will have known for 25 years in March. He co-wrote this book with his mom, a nationally recognized poet who I have known for just as long. They are both exceptionally fine authors, and provide many insights into life, gender, being and knowing someone transsexual and all manner of similar things. Beyond that, I can say little useful about the book, because I was present for almost all of the events of Aaron's life as an adult and so reading the book is for me an act of observing events that I experienced from different PoVs as opposed to how anyone other than I will read this book.
In any case, it's a fabulous book and I urge people to pre-order it (it's coming out at the end of March). For those interested in learning more about me, in the book, I'm referred to as Paul – initially, Aaron was planning to change the names of everyone outside his immediate family, but we all prevailed on him not to. Then, he discovered that the various editors and similar folk were confused by the fact that his brother and my names were both John, so he gives me the name Paul. In any case, in addition to finding it a lovely book, I'm also deeply flattered by Aaron's portrayal of me in it, here are two brief samples of his statements about me:"...was such an impossibly exaggerated mix of swish and nerd that no one knew quite what to make of him; Paul could have minced straight off the screen of a forties movie. We got along famously...
Paul had undying faith in two things, technology and condiments." and later"For years, Paul would return from visits to his conservative parents, break out his sissiest clothes, and put on something flamboyant. Then, he'd turn to me and say, 'How do I look?' I'd take in the billowy silk shirt, under which his narrow chest showed every rib, an insectlike economy as familiar and disconcerting as a mantis in a petticoat. He'd always say anxiously, "Do you think I look fat.'" I'm honored and pleased to have him as a friend.
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Thanks for the heads-up. I'm preordering a copy, and I'm sure both  bard_bloom and I will enjoy reading it. I believe on my next pay, I'll preorder this as well. Your friend has a gift for description, from these passages.
And I must say, from what I've observed, that's SO you. :)
*giggle*
Wow. That is a most accurate description of you.
When does the book actually come out? | | From: | heron61 |
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| Date: | January 24th, 2007 05:19 am (UTC) |
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Late March. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/70456868/240226) | | From: | baxil |
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| Date: | January 24th, 2007 10:22 am (UTC) |
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> Paul had undying faith in two things, technology and condiments.
Ha! So totally quotebook'd. For now, I've added it to my wishlist so I'll remember to get it when I'm more flush. Sounds fascinating! Please post another reminder when the book is out. I will consider ordering it then. It sounds interesting. |
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