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    Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel
    Unavailable
    Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel
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    Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel

    Written by Chris Bohjalian

    Narrated by Judith Ivey

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Four people in a small Vermont village are about to have their lives inexorably intertwined by the uncertainties of love . . . and the apparent absolutes of gender.

    Schoolteacher Allison Banks, the long-divorced mother of a teenager on the cusp of college, has at last fallen in love. The object of her desire? Dana Stevens, a professor at the nearby university and her instructor for a summer film and literature course. Her daughter, Carly, watches with pleasure her mother's newfound happiness, but her ex-husband, Will, the president of Vermont Public Radio, is jealous. Still secretly in love with his ex-wife, he finds himself increasingly unsettled by the prospect of Allison's attachment to another man.

    Yet Dana is unlike anyone Allison has ever been with: attentive, gentle, kind -- and an exceptionally ardent lover. Moreover, it's clear that Dana cares just as deeply for Allison. The only stumbling block? Dana has known always that in actuality he is a woman -- genitalia, plumbing, and perceptions be damned -- and he will soon be having a sex change operation.

    At first Allison runs, but overwhelmed by the depth of her passions, she returns. But can the pair's love transcend both the biologic imperatives that are their bodies, as well as their ingrained notions of sexual preference? Moreover, can their love survive the outrage of the small community in which they live?

    All four characters -- Allison, Dana, Carly, and Will -- narrate this compelling story, spinning a tale that will keep you turning the pages with the eagerness we usually reserve for thrillers, while nodding in wonder at such a deeply moving and profoundly honest portrayal of longing, love, and desire.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJul 5, 2000
    ISBN9780375417313
    Unavailable
    Trans-Sister Radio: A Novel
    Author

    Chris Bohjalian

    Chris Bohjalian is the author of twelve novels, including the New York Times bestsellers, Secrets of Eden, The Double Bind, Skeletons at the Feast, and Midwives.  His work has been translated into twenty-six languages.  He lives in Vermont with his wife and daughter.   Visit him at www.chrisbohjalian.com or www.facebook.com .

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    Reviews for Trans-Sister Radio

    3.5/5

    321 ratings20 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Wow, can this author pick a more controversial topic?
      Laying out on the table all, if sometimes too much information on transexuality and gender reassignment.

      Like most of Bohjalian's novels, this one makes you think and question many possibly preconceived notions concerning love, sexuality and gender.

      He humanizes characters, who are usually demonized or sensationalized in our culture, without preaching to you what you should believe.

      This is a very interesting and informative read, but not for everyone.
    • 4/5
      This was the November book for our book club.I have to admit I wasn't overly enthused by the topic of a trans-gender love affair - especially when one of the characters is an elementary teacher. As a former elementary teacher in a book club of elementary teachers my experience and understanding made me pre-judge this.The premise - a lonely elementary teacher, Allie, falls in love with Dana. Sounds simple - but so not! Dana is a college professor who has began the process of gender reassignment when he and Allie meet, she was a student in one of his classes. As their love affair grows he nears the reassignment surgery deadline and a lot of decisions have to be made.This story is told over the airwaves of a NPR public radio station managed by Allie's ex-husband and narrated by her daughter. Each of these secondary characters adds to the depth of this complicated story with their perspective. The narrative moves between first person action and a retelling of the details. It adds an interesting dimension.What did I think? As an elementary teacher I did not agree with all of the actions of Allie. She made some ridiculous decisions as a teacher - allowing 6th graders to swim in a lake on a field trip only partially clad would never happen in my Iowa town!! But, I did care for her. I felt the pain of her lost love - changed love - confused love! I don't know that it changed my feelings on the topic - but it did make me pause and consider. I think that is what a great book does - force us to face a part of life that we may not bump against very often.We had a great discussion in book club.And then following our meeting this happened...(IMAGE OF TWITTER CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS BOHJALIAN)I was so excited that @Chrisbohjalian tweeted me back!I felt just like a little kid - a real author responded to me!It reminded me again why I love technology and the immediacy of connection and the power of the words we put out there to the internet. It also reminded me how much I love the printed word and the power of those words to remain current even 17 years after they were first published!I am happy we read this book and I am happy for the discussion that followed.Thanks Chris Bohjalian!
    • 3/5
      Chris Bohjalian is a solid writer, turning out intricate characterizations of Vermonters, whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Trans-Sister Radio, published in 2000, gives a sensitive look, through four points-of-view of a trans-sexual love affair and how a small town responds: with confusion, revulsion, compassion, insight. The ending was a bit too neatly tied up in a bow for my liking, but I appreciated how nuanced his approach was, and felt like I learned while being engrossed.
    • 3/5
      Written twenty years ago, I wonder how this novel would be judged by critics today, given its theme of a man transitioning to a woman. To me, it appeared thoughtful in its insight into the many issues trans people must face - struggles with family, acceptance, judgements and internal conflict. However, given the heated (often hateful) debates about trans women today, and the outrage about cultural appropriation, I think this novel would be unfairly judged.
      Quite disappointed by the ending.
    • 4/5
      From my blogIf you want debate, choose this for your book club. I thought this was a fascinating, thought provoking but at times uncomfortable book to read. And to know this is reality for some makes it a wow moment, I feel a little shell shocked but I also feel more educated.One of the debates is when should personal life be a factor for professional life. Allison has fell in love with a transsexual while she is a school teacher. Chris B was fantastic in the genuine characterization he used in the book for all involved. The ex husband Will, daughter Carly, principle, parents, students and of course the couple themselves Dana and Allison. Some of the advocates at school were out of order and made me realize a great reputation will not always win over decisions that truly should only be yours.I enjoyed the style of the book, they used the transcript of radio clips and then we heard from different characters in the book in relation to how they were affected or their role in the process. We get some details about the surgery, it can be uncomfortable to read, squeamish at times.I loved how they alternated between calling Dana he or she, this proves as great debate also. An interesting thought was if Dana had got in an accident and was castrated by mistake, many would be supportive but to choose castration, how could he. Very complex thoughts. Allison has always been straight, now that her partner is no longer a man, is she gay, hmmm.Every thought that you have while reading this, the author will touch on, amazing really. I live in a small community and if this happened, I can see many reacting the same, news and radio for sure. Unfortunately some of the judgments too.My only issue was the ending and I think it just made me uncomfortable in so many ways which also makes me feel guilty. It ended a little to quickly and neatly but then I think do I really want to know.I highly recommend this one just for the heart wrenching, emotional but thought provoking adventure it take you on.
    • 4/5
      I wasn't really sure what I was getting into when I started this book. I like Chris Bohjalian's writing for the most part, and this was one that was available on audio, so I dove in. Plot summary: Allison and Dana (male) fall in love. Unbeknownst to Allison at the time, Dana is preparing to undergo gender reassignment surgery to become a female. The transgender issue in itself is controversial for many people. Bohjalian throws an extra curve ball into this story by forcing the character of Allison to basically choose whether or not she can continue to love Dana as a female, thereby instantly transforming her status from straight to gay. The novel itself is very forthright in many ways. While reading/listening, I found myself a little squirmy & unsettled. It certainly is thought-provoking and would generate good discussion. As an audiobook, the abridgement was done fairly well, and it was not obvious that it was indeed an abridgement. The reader, however, was annoying when trying to assume different character voices. One had a strong southern drawl, another a strong Bostonian accent, and I couldn't quite justify this in my head, seeing as the setting was Vermont. This story isn't for everyone and would probably make some readers uncomfortable, but as stated above, it would make a good discussion book.
    • 4/5
      Transsexual, transgender, transvestite. These words are touched on in Chris Bohjalian's novel. Readers are drawn into the stories of the 4 main characters, feeling their emotions as a man becomes a woman. Bohjalian provides details of the sex change from man to woman that plunge into experiences and information most of us would otherwise not think about. The book is an easy and enjoyable read, but lacks congruity with interview excerpts that are included.
    • 4/5
      After undergoing the usual stress of picking the perfect book for bookclub - must be available in paperback, not too long, good story BUT must also have controversy or incite a good debate... I decided to pick Trans-Siter Radio. I just finished reading it and it did not disappoint me. Good story with great characters and I can't wait for bookclub since I am dying to discuss this book with someone. (My husband is tired of hearing me ask him all the hypothetical questions that go along with this book - would you still love me if I was a trans sexual? How do you know you're not gay?) Should be a fun discussion!
    • 3/5
      Book on CD read by Judith Ivey (abridged).The novel is told by the four central characters: Dana, Carly, Allison and Will. Dana is a professor at a local college. Carly is the teenaged daughter of Allison and Will, who are long divorced. When Allison takes a course at the university she meets Dana, and they begin dating. Dana is cultured, intelligent, a great cook and an attentive lover. But he’s hiding a secret. Dana’s always know that she is really a woman in a man’s body, and has already made plans for gender-reassignment surgery. Bohjalian tackles blended families, small town politics, prejudice, marriage, relationships, and the idea of “love conquers all” in this novel. If that sounds a little messy … well, the relationships between these characters, and the townspeople are somewhat messy as well. At one point Dana even comments that her university, where she had daily contact with students, had no problem with her gender-reassignment, while the parents and administrators of the middle school where Allison taught clearly wanted her fired just for her association with “that pervert.” And then there’s Will… Will’s second marriage is strained by his apparent interest in Allison’s new relationship. Is he jealous that some other man is interested in his ex-wife? Like I said it’s messy and complicated. A lot like real life. Bohjalian’s story forces the reader to examine (and re-examine) the labels we assign to people and the knee-jerk reactions we have to those labels. I was intrigued and the story held my interest, but I don’t think it’s Bohjalian’s best effort. I wasn’t a great fan of the interjection of the radio interviews (Will is a manager of Vermont Public Radio, and Dana’s situation becomes a focus of a story on NPR). I thought they interrupted the flow of the story, though they were a convenient way to expand on how various people felt about the issues. The audiobook is capably performed by Judith Ivey. I really liked the voices she used for Dana, Carly and Allison. But I couldn’t stand the gravelly voice she gave to Will. It certainly made it easy to tell who was who, but it just seemed so false. There is an unabridged audio version of this book, but my library didn’t carry it. Once I realized it was abridged, I resorted to the text copy to fill in the blanks. There was nothing crucial to the plot missing from the abridged audio, but I definitely got more character development from the text.
    • 1/5
      Too weird for me.
    • 1/5
      Well, this is one of those terrible and yet for me compulsively readable novels. How do normal people see/deal with gender variance? And by normal people I mean to include aspiring normal people. I always want to know, so I read their (incredibly popular, published by mainstream presses, gigantic advance bearing, totally exploitative) books.

      Obviously heavily researched, and written by an obviously gender-conforming, heterosexual, Extremely Liberal dude. Not quite as offensive to my sensibilities as Middlesex (the gold standard), but gross and recuperating of the gender binary, heteronormativity, and liberalism. Yuck yuck yuck! I think I need a bath.
    • 3/5
      Gay. Straight. Trans-gender. Transsexual. This book is a rather simplistic look at the complicated issue of sexual reassignment surgery. It begins like any other love story between a man and a woman except this man, Dana, is in the process of becoming a woman. The characters are a little under developed and the book is very predictable but I learned a thing or two about transsexuals. I am a fan of National Public Radio so I loved the NPR transcripts that ran throughout the story.
    • 3/5
      A bizarre yet interesting read. I am a fan of Chris Bohjalian, so I had to read it. Answered some questions as well as brought up some on the subject. It was unfortunately a predictable read and the ending was no surprise, and seemed a cop out. I read the first chapter to my husband on a long car ride. Needless to say, he didn't want me to read anymore. I wonder if it was a girl main character if he would have wanted me to continue?
    • 4/5
      This is the book that made me fall in love with Chris Bohjalian! He is one of my favorite authors.
    • 4/5
      This is an interesting story about a transsexual who before gender reassignment falls in love with a woman. After the surgery from male to female the relationship continues with much prejudice and the obvious problems.This is told in multiple narrative with each of the characters giving the different perspectives . It is a novel which explores the nature of love and relationships albiet here with a twist and asks the question can love truly overcome all obstacles?I have previously read 'Midwives' from this author and once again he tackles a controversial theme that is both illuminating and educational.
    • 3/5
      This is the second book I have read of Bohjalian's. I was drawn to his books because he sets his books in Vermont and I know where the places are that he uses. This particular book was about a somewhat touchy subject and I can relate to the reactions of friends and neighbors because they are typical of the area.
    • 2/5
      I won't summarize "Trans-Sister" radio as summaries and plot descriptions are readily and plentifully available.I will think that it the weakest novel, of Bohjalian's work, by far. There are several reasons, but first and foremost I believe that the characters in the book, while involved in a rather sensational life-happening, are flat and ill-developed. In some cases, Carly for instance, a character is just a collection of stereotypes and cliches used as a plot vehicle more than anything else.While none of the characters were especially well-developed, the females characters were downright frustrating. While I've always enjoyed and respected Bohjalian's previous novels, in this case I felt like I was reading a man trying way too hard to write about women: how they dress, act, think, and feel. The descriptions of clothing and some descriptions of physical intimacy were nearly laughable.While the plot was interesting (it kept me from putting the book aside) it was also predictable.In summary: not a fully thought-out or fleshed out novel, both from the standpoint of character POV and character development as well as plot resolution.
    • 3/5
      Interesting take on transgender issues but saw the ending coming a mile away....not as good as Bohjalian's other books.
    • 3/5
      Well, not as great as I was lead to believe.Not much character development.She meets man, looses man as he becomes a woman, she's not sure if she wants to make love to a woman, and then the ex-boyfriend/current girlfriend ends up with her ex-husband. A little to pat for my liking.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this book much more than Midwives, which I barely finished. I really enjoyed hearing the story from multiple perspectives. Perhaps a change in writing would have been good as we changed to new people. Otherwise, I could not put this down until I finished the story.