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I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted: A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.02) - 634 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For Jennifer Finney Boylan, creaking stairs, fleeting images in the mirror, and the remote whisper of human voices were everyday events in the Pennsylvania house in which she grew up in the 1970s. But these weren't the only specters beneath the roof of the mansion known as the "Coffin House." Jenny herself—born James—lived in a haunted body, and both her mysterious, diffident father and her wild, unpredictable sister would soon become ghosts to Jenny as well. I'm Looking Through You is an engagingly candid investigation into what it means to be "haunted." Looking back on the spirits who invaded her family home, Boylan launches a full investigation with the help of a group of earnest, if questionable, ghostbusters. Boylan also examines the ways we find connections between the people we once were and the people we become. With wit and eloquence, Boylan shows us how love, forgiveness, and humor help us find peace—with our ghosts, with our loved ones, and with the uncanny boundaries, real and imagined, between men and women.
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"Jennifer Finney Boylan returns with another lovely memoir, this one centering around growing up in a haunted house, both literally and figuratively. Folks who have read Boylan's wonderful "She's Not There" will be familiar with the fact that she grew up male as James, and transitioned after marriage and kids. Jenny can't get around that part of her past, so "I'm Looking Through You" is a unique memoir where it almost seems that the narrator is reflecting on her own life, but the previous life of her male self. The book is very moving especially as Boylan describes her relationship with her father (growing up), and her sister (from past to present). It is a warm memoir, at times funny, and at times heartbreaking. Highly recommended."
— Coffeeboss (4 out of 5 stars)
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“In spite of the singularity of Boylan’s circumstance, the coming-of-age story has far-reaching resonance: estrangement in one’s own home, alienation in one’s own skin and the curious ways that men and women come to know themselves and one another.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
Boylan writes with a measured comedic timing and a light touch, affecting a pitch-perfect balance between sorrow, skepticism and humor.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review
I'm Looking Through You Listener Reviews
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" Interesting for a fast read "
— Laura, 2/13/2014 -
" Even though memoir isn't really my "thing," I am enjoying this very much. I'll post more when I'm farther into it - for now, though, I can tell you that it's a really engaging read. "
— Mrs.Chili, 2/8/2014 -
" I liked her She's Not There, so I was excited to read this one and see what has happened in the past five years. I liked this funny, sad, sweet, poignant, honest memoir which is extremely well written. I love the juxtaposition of Boylan's haunted house and her own personal identity haunting. "
— Kelly, 2/3/2014 -
" Are people haunted by ghosts or do we haunt ourselves? Can the future, in the content of repressed feelings and instinctive knowledge, come back to haunt us in the present? Can the past haunt us still? What does this say about our psychology? "
— Kim, 1/31/2014 -
" I read her first book about being a transsexual and found it compelling. This one was a little odd with fascination on spirits and ghosts but still readable. "
— Janna, 1/28/2014 -
" I thought this book would be a good ghost story, but even after finishing it, I'm not sure if it was or not. It was an excellent story, though. But if you're looking for a scary ghost story - go elsewhere. If you want a journey into a person's "self" - this is great! "
— Melissa, 1/4/2014 -
" Need to know truth for everyone about what it is like to grow up transgendered. "
— Donna, 12/31/2013 -
" Wonderful. LOVED! "
— Suzanne, 12/21/2013 -
" A memory of growing up transgender and living in a haunted house. It was an enjoyable read, but definitely paled in comparison to Boylan's other non-fiction book. "
— Alexis, 12/3/2013 -
" This was an excellent read. I bought it in 2011 -- and finally read it before I did a webinar on transgender coverage under Title VII. "
— Chai, 11/12/2013 -
" Not only is this a good ghost story, but the author talks about realizing things about his / her sexual identity! "
— Cicely, 11/27/2011 -
" Interesting read. This is the first book by Boylan that I have read, and I didn't know any of her personal story before reading it. Wasn't expecting the "personal haunting" twist, but that added greater depth to the memoir. "
— Kris, 11/16/2011 -
" Ghosts, personal and spectral populated the authors life. Prepare to be astonished. "
— Lisa, 5/25/2011 -
" I really enjoyed her first book, and I wanted to like this one. It was slow and I couldn't keep interested in it. "
— Kelli, 4/21/2011 -
" I wanted to like this book more than I did. It is the true story of Jennifer/Jim Boylan who teaches at Colby College here in Maine. You follow the journey she took to understand who she is and what she needs. It is just not all that interesting, nor haunted. "
— Debbie, 2/22/2011 -
" I read this book because of the paranormal angle, but that turned out to be the least important part. I loved the prose, the stories about Boylan's family, and the human "haunting" that exists throughout. "
— Sheryl, 7/12/2010 -
" Book 73/150 "
— Morgue, 11/21/2009 -
" Definitely not what I was expecting, but I'm glad I finished it. It was amusing and touching "
— Michele, 9/13/2009 -
" I wished I hadn't bought it...didn't capture my interest in the first chapter "
— Brenda, 1/13/2009
About Jennifer Finney Boylan
Jennifer Finney Boylan is a professor of English at Colby College and the author of the bestseller She’s Not There, as well as several other acclaimed novels, including The Planets and Getting In. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, Today, and 48 Hours, and she has played herself on ABC’s All My Children.