Official Review: Kenna...A Transgender Life

[wendyj]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kenna...A Transgender Life" by Kenna Henderson.]

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I received a free copy of Kenna . . . A Transgender Life in exchange for my honest review. This book is a memoir written by a transgender male to female author who explains and explores his lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria and his experience transitioning to live openly as a female. I will refer to the author as “she” or “her” in this review since the book does not reveal her male name or occupation prior to transitioning to her female persona.

Kenna was born male but was aware of her female tendencies beginning around the age of six years. She always identified more with girls than boys and enjoyed dressing in female clothing. She learned very early that this behavior was shameful. Kenna had only shared her secret with one person, her wife, and while that experience was positive, she still feared rejection from other people such as her children, coworkers and and church friends. As Kenna grew older, she had an increasing desire to validate the female side of herself. As Kenna described it: “ I am two people. One is the socially-adapted male construct you see, who is constantly attempting to deny the female. The other is the female, who is demanding with growing urgency to exist.”

Finally, while in her 50’s and after years of fighting the urge, Kenna could no longer repress her need to appear publicly as a woman. Since she didn’t feel ready to be seen dressed as a woman by people who knew her as a man, she decided to seek work as a volunteer in the arts; a setting she thought will be more accepting of people who are “different.” In the book, we follow along as Kenna faces her fears, first in the sequestered environment of her workplace and then later as she ventures out into more public, and less protected, environments. Kenna’s transition is not an easy one and she is plagued with self-doubt and depression. Hers is a story of courage and perseverance tempered by hope and a good sense of humor.

While this book is specifically about the struggles related to gender dysphoria, many will identify with the overriding themes of the book: acceptance of ourselves and of others, the balance between following our heart and potentially hurting those we love, and the need to grow and change as a person versus staying in our safety zone. One of Kenna’s biggest fears is that she will be called out publicly as a transvestite. She is always worrying and waiting for something bad thing to happen. In the end, she comes to the profound realization that even if the worst happens “people notice (or not), absorb, pass judgment, adjust and go about their lives. Maybe some nitwit will step out of bounds, but that’s not to say that others will follow. We have to overcome the fear, and take the path that leads us out of our own way.”

I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. I didn’t give it a 4 because I thought it was a bit repetitive at times and I felt like it needed a bit more character development. I didn’t give it a 2 because it is a quick read and worth spending the time on. I learned several things I didn’t know about transgender issues. I was also inspired by the author’s struggle through the stages of self-awareness, resistance, denial and then final acceptance. In the end, Kenna doesn’t demand anyone’s acceptance but she makes it clear that there is no room to argue about who she is. This is a great book if you want to do some deep thinking on issues of judgement and acceptance or if you want to know more about gender dysphoria.

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[crazyreader12]

Hi Wendy sounds like a good book that will be interesting to read. I have read many books that are repetitive and really asked myself "why?"

[wendyj]

Hi Crazyreader12. I wonder that as well. I think it's one of two things. Either the author really wants to emphasize a point or is too close to his/her own writing to notice the repeats.

[readforlife]

Thanks for the review. I may read this out of curiosity.

[Kenna Henderson]

Either the author really wants to emphasize a point or is too close to his/her own writing to notice the repeats.

I think I'm guilty of both in this case.

During my long journey to self-acceptance, certain simple truths kept being reinforced. And I can see that I related them again and again as they ate away at my resistance and slowly built my confidence.

This was my first book, and I can't claim to be a polished writer. The process was both painful and cathartic, as I am by nature a private person. I wrote it to support others who might walk the same path and to foster understanding among those who are unfamiliar with the transgender experience.

I do appreciate the comments and reactions - good or bad - of anyone who takes the time to read it.

[wendyj]

Thanks for sharing Kenna. It takes tremendous courage to put yourself out there. I hope many read your book!