Amateur:
A Reckoning with Gender, Identity and Masculinity
A Reckoning with Gender, Identity and Masculinity
Author: Thomas Page McBee
Published by: Canongate Books
Pages: 205
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
Published by: Canongate Books
Pages: 205
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★★
In this groundbreaking new book, Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence.
Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a way forward: a new masculinity, inside the ring and out of it.
Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a way forward: a new masculinity, inside the ring and out of it.
My thoughts:
Amateur is a brilliant and extremely moving memoir that tells the remarkable story of Thomas Page McBee, the first trans man to fight in a boxing match in Madison Square Garden.
McBee’s story is told with sensitivity and courage, exploring ideas of manhood and masculinity that feels relevant to readers of any gender. He is deeply honest, and
I think what I most appreciated were the author’s observations of how others have related to him since his transition. He notices that he’s taken more seriously at work as a man, and that he can be an object of fear – when jogging behind a woman at night, for instance. One of the most eye-opening moments of the book is when he realizes that he’s been talking over his own sister. Thankfully, McBee is sensitive enough to stop and change, recognising that kindness and vulnerability are not faults, but in fact attributes any person should be proud of.
McBee is a trans man, a survivor of childhood sexual assault and a journalist who became interested in the question of why men fight. As he experiences the boxing gym and the locker room, McBee reflects on how life is different now that he looks like a man. He fills his account of training, and “passing” as male, with information from various experts in different aspects of masculinity. A psychology professor tells him how adolescent boys’ close friendships start to be labelled “girlie” and “gay”. A neuroscientist explains that testosterone makes people “do whatever they need to maintain their status” – whether that is fighting or cooperating.
Thomas Page McBee writes beautifully. For me, it feels like a perfectly balanced mixture of fascinating documentary writing and a well-structured lecture, filled with the perfect amount of humour and informality that make this such an engrossing read. Not only does the book open a much-needed discussion about masculinity, but also doesn't shy away from the challenging topics and comparisons from male, female and transgendered people.
Amateur is intersectional and deeply personal. This illuminating book provides plenty to think about regarding what ‘makes’ a man. And, in connection, what ‘makes’ a woman. Or a human being. It’s a must read.
Overall reaction:
Amateur is a brilliant and extremely moving memoir that tells the remarkable story of Thomas Page McBee, the first trans man to fight in a boxing match in Madison Square Garden.
McBee’s story is told with sensitivity and courage, exploring ideas of manhood and masculinity that feels relevant to readers of any gender. He is deeply honest, and
I think what I most appreciated were the author’s observations of how others have related to him since his transition. He notices that he’s taken more seriously at work as a man, and that he can be an object of fear – when jogging behind a woman at night, for instance. One of the most eye-opening moments of the book is when he realizes that he’s been talking over his own sister. Thankfully, McBee is sensitive enough to stop and change, recognising that kindness and vulnerability are not faults, but in fact attributes any person should be proud of.
McBee is a trans man, a survivor of childhood sexual assault and a journalist who became interested in the question of why men fight. As he experiences the boxing gym and the locker room, McBee reflects on how life is different now that he looks like a man. He fills his account of training, and “passing” as male, with information from various experts in different aspects of masculinity. A psychology professor tells him how adolescent boys’ close friendships start to be labelled “girlie” and “gay”. A neuroscientist explains that testosterone makes people “do whatever they need to maintain their status” – whether that is fighting or cooperating.
Thomas Page McBee writes beautifully. For me, it feels like a perfectly balanced mixture of fascinating documentary writing and a well-structured lecture, filled with the perfect amount of humour and informality that make this such an engrossing read. Not only does the book open a much-needed discussion about masculinity, but also doesn't shy away from the challenging topics and comparisons from male, female and transgendered people.
Amateur is intersectional and deeply personal. This illuminating book provides plenty to think about regarding what ‘makes’ a man. And, in connection, what ‘makes’ a woman. Or a human being. It’s a must read.
Overall reaction:
