Ein Schädlicher Einfluss: Mein Mutiges Leben (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I chose this book mainly because of the title -- it just called to me for some reason. I guess partly I like hearing about people "escaping" Scientology. Also, I was a little curious about being transgender as one of my siblings is. But, once I started reading it, I really wanted to know more and more about the author. She gives you a great insight into the Church of Scientology and the life and transition of a transgender person. I guess I never realized some of the difficulties and that even lesbians/homosexuals can be transphobic. A lot of this book made me uncomfortable. (That's probably good, right?) Not so much the discussion of a boy wanting to be a girl (or girl wanting to be a boy). But the discussion of sadomasochism and sex slaves really makes me uncomfortable. Still, this is one of the best memoirs I've read this year. I hesitated in labelling this non-fiction, as Bornstein cheerfully admits to making parts of it up, then doesn't say which parts. However, it's meant to feel true, and at least it's honest obfuscation. It certainly wasn't done in the spirit of making herself look good, as it's a pretty unflinching account. Actually, there's quite a bit of flinching, and a lot of humour as well, she admits to always going for the laugh lines.I picked it up for the Scientology, which is very interesting (and horrifying!), but ended up loving it for the sex and gender politics. Will certainly check out Bornstein's other books.
What do You think about Ein Schädlicher Einfluss: Mein Mutiges Leben (2013)?
SO GOOD. IT'S A MUST READ. SO SO FREAKING GOOD. NO REALLY IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.
—Chestnut
I must read this at some point simply for the title...
—Jerrod
