G199 Truth Be Told; Adam Becomes Audrey

Title: Truth be told; Adam becomes Audrey

Author: Alexandra Bogdanovic

First copyright date: 2012

Type of book: Transgender, marriage, coping, reporting, intimacy, togetherness, lost dreams

General subject matter: Transgender individuals, marriage and its impact on a human being

Special features: N/A

Price: $13.99

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-60911-538-8

Summary:

Chastity Bono is now Chaz. Her decision to "become" a man made headlines around the world, but she is not alone. Transgender men and women frequently appear on television talk shows and reality programs to share their stories. By doing so, they inevitably get the attention they seek, but not necessarily the kind of attention they want. While some come forth in an effort to promote tolerance, acceptance and understanding in mainstream society, their decision to live as or in some cases have surgery to become - the opposite gender often sparks curiosity and more visceral reactions born out of ignorance. But this is the other side of the story. Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey is a tragedy, a comedy and a love story. It is my story. In vivid detail, I recall how I met, fell in love with and married the man of my dreams, only to find that he self-identified as and wanted to become a woman. Read what happened after I learned the truth. Originally from the New York City suburbs, Alexandra Bogdanovic is an award-winning reporter based in Connecticut. Her next book is based on her father's life as a staunch anti-Communist and political refugee in post-World War II Europe. Publisher's website: http: //sbpra.com/AlexandraBogdanovic

Author's Purpose: She hopes that her story will help other people

a. Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other subject?

I think that she wrote this book to help others cope with unexpected changes, or rather what it was like for her when she learned the truth about her ex-husband. There is also a possibility that she wrote this book as a way of moving on.

b. From what point of view is the work written?

Its written in first person narrative completely from Alexandra's point of view. Although the writing had an addictive quality to it, and the author presented herself as very vulnerable, I really do wish that Audrey could have consented to being interviewed in this book.

c. Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, to convince the reader of a belief’s validity by dramatizing it in action?

I think she was trying to give information and to explain something technical. Most of the focus is on how Audrey's decision has impacted her present and future, creating self-esteem and anger issues. The technical part would be her emotions and what she was going through.

d. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it? (Use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field, if necessary.) Knowledge of the genre means understanding the art form. and how it functions.

What happens and what its like when someone leads a double life. I often heard of stories of homosexuals marrying straight people, and of stigma of being a homosexual. I think more than anything this book demonstrates how tolerance and acceptance are important.When people hide the truth about themselves, everyone suffers.

e. Who is the intended audience?

I think the intended audience are people who went through that kind of loss.

f. What is the author's style? Is it formal or informal? Evaluate the quality of the writing style by using some of the following standards: coherence, clarity, originality, forcefulness, correct use of technical words, conciseness, fullness of development, fluidity. Does it suit the intended audience?

I think the style falls into informal. I like that she explained about horse shows to those who aren't aficionados and so forth, as well as what her marriage was like. In beginning Audrey sounded wonderful. Although I felt some passages were a little too long and certain things happened way too quickly for my liking.

g. Scan the Table of Contents, it can help understand how the book is organized and will aid in determining the author's main ideas and how they are developed - chronologically, topically, etc.

The story begins in 2008, but Alexandra goes up until 2011 maybe, I'm not sure. She has never really tied the first chapter to the rest of the narrative. This a short book, about 160+ pages with twenty-nine chapters plus an epilogue. Starting with second chapter there is chronolgy and explanation of why certain days and so forth are special.

g. How did the book affect you? Were any previous ideas you had on the subject changed, abandoned, or reinforced due to this book? How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda? What personal experiences you've had relate to the subject?

By the summary I expected this book to be about the transition and her feelings and emotions throughout the whole process. While it has a little bit of that, but the rest does disappoint because Audrey is barely mentioned and although she does the best she could, the book could have really benefited from Audrey's point of view. Despite the subject matter, I think this could apply to anybody who went through a breakup of marriage based on deception and lies.

h. How well has the book achieved its goal?

I think in someways it did achieve what the author has set out to do, but I did feel that the book really lacked something, and it did disappoint me.

i. Would you recommend this book or article to others? Why?

I would recommend this book to others who have lost their significant others to deception and divorce, but I don't think I'd recommend it to people who are thinking of switching genders.

a. Theme: The theme is the subject or topic. It is not necessarily the title, and it is usually not expressed in a complete sentence. It expresses a specific phase of the general subject matter.

A single event can affect people's past present and future

b. Thesis: The thesis is an author’s generalization about the theme, the author’s beliefs about something important, the book’s philosophical conclusion, or the proposition the author means to prove. Express it without metaphor or other figurative language, in one declarative sentence.

Acceptance is important.

Quick Notes: This is a review for Making Connections

3 out of 5

(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)