In 2016, Erica is a 35-year-old teacher in South Dakota. Her marriage has recently ended, and she’s come to the realization that she is transgender, despite living as a man. This realization answers many questions for her, but how can she live as her authentic self without losing everything in her life?
Abigail is a student at the high school where Erica teaches. She’s the only trans girl in the school, she’s estranged from her parents and a few of her siblings, and the last thing she’s expecting is for her English teacher to out herself as trans. Abigail isn’t much interested in being Erica’s trans mom and confidante, but she knows what it’s like to have no one.
As Erica tries to decide whom to confide in and whether or not she wants to fully transition, Abigail has to decide how to support Erica while taking care of her own journey. Their stories are told against the backdrop of a local election that features an anti-trans candidate as well as the impending presidential election.
“Erica had often imagined what she might say if she ever talked to another trans woman. She always assumed she would be personable, smooth. She would find a way to be, like, “Hey, we’re all trans here, right?!” then laugh blithely.”
There are parts of this book that need to unfold for you, so you can feel their power. I love how Emily St. James uses shaded gibberish in place of Erica and Abigail’s dead names, because they say they hear them through a fog. All in all, this is an unforgettable book. What a debut.
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