The Danish Girl 3 Stars
by David Ebershoff

A truth based tale of a transgender person, that needed to be told, and that needs to be read.

This book was picked for a ladies book group that I try to attend, because it is being made into an upcoming movie starrring Eddie Redmayne. Although I was suprised that it's currently out of print, (there's a possible reprint in December) but if you can get your hands on a copy, I'd say it's well worth it.

A man's (Einar Wegener) journey of self discovery is sparked by a seemingly innocent act, a favour for his wife when he poses in women's clothes when her model is missing for a portrait. The best way I can bolster this book is with a quote (p10-11): 'Yes, that was how it felt the first time: the silk was so fine and airy that it felt like a gauze - a balm-soaked gauze lying delicately on healing skin.' It is through wonderfully incitful and beautiful quotes like these, that Ebershoff manages to create a path to understanding.

I could not truly begin imagine what it feels like to be trapped in your own body - that was until I read this book. Hopefully that speaks volumes to you... 

Whilst this is a rather romanticised version of the truth, it doesn't stint on covering all the aspects. We see both positive and negative responses to Einar's want to change, getting inside both his head and that of his wife, Greta's, as well as details about the medical side too.

When you are made to feel someone elses excrutiating pain, humilation and fear, you cannot not see that they were born that way. (See, on a lighter note, Lady Gaga's right!)

There's much more to this book, but it's such a personnal in-the-moment experience that it's hard to surmise it afterwards. 

I think, ultimately, it's a book about acceptance and the goodness of human nature, about being at peace with yourself, whether transgender or not, and about true selflessness, and love.

* Want to read this now? Liked this review? Anticipating the film? 
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