As a cisgender person, while I do my best to be an ally to my trans siblings, I am aware that my experiences mean I have a bias, and like many cispeople (such as the publishers/editors of this book), I missed a lot of transphobia in the book. The protagonist, Sam, is a 13 year old boy whose parents both work high up in the British government. He doesn’t have a lot of friends and is teased for being dyslexic. His brother, Jason, has adored him since day dot, is the captain of the football/soccer team, is very popular, and the reason why Sam is only teased and not bullied. Jason’s parents and Sam are horrified when he breaks the news to them about what I suppose trans ideologues would call his “authentic self”, a period of conflict ensues and Jason leaves the family home to go and live with his indulgent and eccentric aunt, where he is free to become ‘Jessica’. In writing My Brother’s Name is Jessicamy hope is that children and young adults—particularly ones who are perhaps not already familiar with transgender issues—will come to this book and start to understand that anyone struggling with these issues needs support and compassion, not judgment.I have tried to write the best novel that I can. I might have succeeded or I might have failed, but I stand by it. I welcome debate and am interested in people’s views on this subject. I do not believe that the trans community bears any relationship to, or any responsibility for the abuse I have received online. I stand 100% behind all trans people, I respect them as brave pioneers, I applaud their determination to live authentic lives despite the abuse they also receive, and I will always do so.”

My Brother’s Name is Jessica – Book Review – Spoilers My Brother’s Name is Jessica – Book Review – Spoilers

Boyne said he found sentiments such as “stay in your lane” troubling. “It’s arrogant. A lot of the time it’s about people trying to tell you they are morally superior to you; they know how these things should be written.”Writers use their imagination. It’s what we do!” says fellow writer Eileen Wharton. “I write from many different perspectives and may not have experienced the things I’m writing about. I speak to people who have experienced those things. I do other research as I’m sure John has done.”

back at critics of transgender novel John Boyne hits back at critics of transgender novel

She said if she had to write about her experience, “I would be writing about American Jewish girls who grew up in Malibu on the beach”.

But another cis person’s take is being lauded as brilliant trans representation, when we can tell, by the title of the book, that it’s not. I’d almost prefer no rep at all.” I work with Inclusive Minds, the group he claimed in his article to have consulted for his transphobic book. Having read this I immediately demanded to know what on was going on. He claimed that the attention of trans activists had led to the breakup of his marriage and said: “Comedy is my first love, it’s the thing I love to do, but I have not been allowed to do that for five years.” I’m not saying, by the way, that Boyne should have written the story differently. As with the awful ITV drama, Butterflies, which aired last year, I’m saying the story shouldn’t have been written at all.