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“[A] sexy,
exquisitely sympathetic novel…A fascinating read about transsexuals and
small-town life.”
— Mademoiselle
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“A thought-provoking
story, on all kinds of levels…[A] fun read, and it raises some very good
questions.”
— Oregonian
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“A though-provoking
tale with a rich, varied texture…[An] addictive read.”
— Denver Post
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“Transsexuality goes
mainstream in this Scarlet Letter for
a softer, gentler but more complicated age…Bohjalian humanizes the transsexual
community and explains the complexities of sex and gender in an accessible,
evenhanded fashion, making a valuable contribution to a dialogue of social and
political import.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“Bohjalian’s stock in
trade is tapping into the ethical dilemmas of modern day life in a way that
shows their human dimensions, the price we pay for being who we are…[Trans-Sister Radio] challenges easy
assumptions about love and gender in a way that will keep people talking.”
— Times-Picayune
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“[Bohjalian] writes
well, and constructs his story seamlessly.”
— Washington Post
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“Eminently readable…[If]
you love a speedy read, a look at how the other half lives, and lots of
provocative questions and moral mindbenders, then Trans-Sister Radio will come in loud and clear.”
— Miami Herald
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“Bohjalian is a
social scientist accustomed to exposing the stories of people caught in
marginal situations they can’t ignore and against which they will be forever
measured. In Trans-Sister Radio, he
has taken an Erlenmeyer flask, filled it with The People Next Door, added a
dash of Transsexual, and stirred…[A] page-turner that sheds a mainstream light
on a well-hidden part of America.”
— Lambda Book Report
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“Love stories are
common. Original love stories are rare. Creative and well-told love stories are
a treasure. Chris Bohjalian’s new book…fits the latter description…[A] beautifully
told story.”
— Fort Wroth Morning Star-Telegram
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“[Bohjalian] uses his
extraordinary gifts for storytelling and character development to delve into
further controversial areas—the acceptance (or not) of transsexuals in today’s
society and the endless complexities that gender adds to our lives…Bohjalian is
a master at exposing the emotions of a highly charged situation and carefully
dissecting controversy.”
— Library Journal
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“In Trans-Sister Radio Bohjalian makes us
confront significant matters and consider how they shape our lives.”
— Burlington Free Press
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“Plausible and
entertaining…sincere.”
— People
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“An insightful look
at love and sexuality…with great compassion and insight.”
— Los Angeles Times
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“Bohjalian
has…written an interesting [and] ultimately, a quite daring novel, and a worthy
successor to Midwives. Like that novel, Trans-Sister Radio challenges readers’
most dearly held notions of biological reality.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer
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“Trans-Sister
Radio…bears Bohjalian’s hallmark: ordinary people in heartbreaking
circumstances behaving with grace and dignity…Speaks directly to the heart.”
— San Francisco Chronicle
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“Bohjalian is
especially good at domestic scenes and dialogues. As in his earlier stories, he
has each major character give expression to his/her individual version of and
reaction to what is happening, drawing the reader into their lives and
emotional states. It is something like a well-composed opera: First one
character sings what is going on, then another has a solo, while a third does a
reprise of the plot in a different key.”
— Vermont Sunday Magazine
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“[Bohjalian] dazzles
readers with a compelling story, distinctive characters and yet another highly
charged subject…Trans-Sister Radio is
a serious novel in its focus on a social issue that most people haven’t
confronted, but Bohjalian manages to imbue it with suspense and depth, making
it an arresting read.”
— Chattanooga Times and Free Press
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“Bohjalian explores a
charged subject…by creating honest characters who compel us to care about them.
He expertly spins a tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.”
— Vermont Life
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“Each character’s
voice is distinct and authentic…Bohjalian manages to get at the heart of the
story behind the raw material of news headlines—desire and the human longing
for a soul mate.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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“Provocative and insightful,
this gender-bending novel will make readers question what it means to be a man
or a woman, and how strongly these identities are influenced by biological and
cultural pressures.”
— Booklist
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“A solid, intelligent,
and extremely entertaining fictional achievement.”
— William H. Pritchard
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“Informative,
well-researched, and respectful…[A] satisfying romance.”
— Barre Times Argus
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“One of the most
thought-provoking, emotionally charged novels addressing the complications and
the triumphs of transsexualism.”
— Windy City Times
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“Bohjalian doesn’t
write novels so much as he weaves them, one thread into the next. The result is
a fine tapestry, delicately and perfectly constructed…There’s nothing tawdry or
sensational here, unless you believe…that an enjoyable literary work in an age
of Harry Potters dominating the bestseller list is a sensation.”
— Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
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“Inspired…[A] highly
original novel…Impossible to put down.”
— USA Today
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“A fascinating and
challenging view of relationships and gender.”
— AudioFile