Amateur
A True Story About What Makes a Man
"From an award-winning writer whose work bristles with 'hard-won strength, insight, agility, and love' (Maggie Nelson), an exquisite and troubling narrative of masculinity, violence, and society"--
Thomas Page McBee Books
Thomas Page McBee is an award-winning author who deeply explores themes of masculinity, identity, and violence in his work. His writing, often in the form of reported memoirs, delves into complex societal constructs and personal experiences with striking honesty. McBee's work excels in its ability to weave together personal reflection with broader social commentary, offering readers a unique perspective on the formation of manhood in the contemporary world. His reportorial style and fearless examination of sensitive subjects make him a significant voice in current literature.
What does it mean to be a man? In this memoir, Thomas Page McBee explores this question through the lens of two significant figures in his life: his abusive father and a mugger who, in a moment of mercy, spared him. As McBee stands on the brink of transitioning from female to male, he examines these flawed examples of manhood while forging his own identity. The narrative intertwines his personal experiences with universal themes of self-creation, risk, legacy, and forgiveness. Described as gripping and poetic, McBee's journey confronts childhood trauma and a life-altering mugging, revealing the resilience of his body and spirit. This memoir is not just about transition; it’s a profound exploration of love and self-discovery. McBee's story is both despairing and hopeful, showcasing the emergence of a fuller self. The writing is both emotional and exquisite, reflecting on vulnerability and the complexities of identity. This important work challenges conventional narratives of transition, embracing uncertainty as a fundamental aspect of life. McBee, a columnist and speaker on masculinity, shares his journey with openness and insight, inviting readers to witness his path toward self-possession and authenticity.
Man alive
- 176 pages
- 7 hours of reading
If he is to become a man, what sort of man should Thomas Page McBee be? To find out, McBee must confront the suffering he has endured at the hands of men: the abuse he endured as a child from his father, and the violent mugging which almost killed him as an adult. Standing at the brink of the life-changing decision to transition from female to male, McBee seeks to understand these examples of flawed manhood, and reclaim his body on his own terms. Powerful, uplifting and profound, Man Alive is a story about transformation; about freedom, and love, and finding the strength to rebuild ourselves as the people we are meant to be.
