Neenah Public Library

My brother my sister, story of a transformation, Molly Haskell

eng

individual biography

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

My brother my sister

834432255

Molly Haskell

story of a transformation

On a visit, the brother of well-known film critic Molly Haskell dropped a bombshell: nearing age sixty, and married, he had decided to become a woman. This book gracefully explores a delicate subject from the perspective of a family member. Haskell chronicles her brother Chevey's transformation through a series of psychological evaluations, grueling surgeries, drug regimens, and comportment and fashion lessons as he becomes Ellen. Despite Haskell's liberal views on gender roles, she was dumbfounded by her brother's decision. With candor and compassion, she charts not only her brother's journey to becoming her sister, but also her own path from shock, confusion, embarrassment, and devastation to acceptance, empathy, and love. Haskell widens the lens on her brother's story to include scientific and psychoanalytic views. In an honest, informed voice, she has revealed the controversial world of gender reassignment and transsexuals from both a personal and a social perspective in this frank and moving memoir.--From publisher description

My brother drops a bombshell -- Flesh and blood -- My brother kisses his elbow -- My brother advertises for a secretary and reels in a wife -- Who has it better, men or women? -- My brother writes a story -- A tale of two wives -- The sculptor of human faces -- He learns to walk and talk like a dame -- Ellen becomes a mountain woman -- Ellen changes her mind, and changes it again -- Andrew falls and Ellen comes up and shows off her body -- The year of the transsexual -- Ellen is a Medicare mudder -- Looking backward and moving forward