Rebent Sinner

September 16, 2019
Coyote (Tomboy Survival Guide) “look back over thirty queer years” as a trans, nonbinary writer and spoken word performer in this thought-provoking collection of autobiographical vignettes. Less focused on the “why” of being trans than the everyday realities of the trans experience, Coyote shares social media posts; open letters to journalists, readers, teachers, and audience members; conversations overheard in markets and airports; jokes (“I saw ‘man candles’ in a store the other day. They smelled like misogyny and unshed tears”); existential riddles (“What did shame ever teach me, except to be ashamed?”); and a lecture on diversity Coyote delivered at the 2017 Sydney Writers’ Festival. As a touring performer who averages more than 200 days on the road per year, Coyote writes of frequently experiencing such indignities as not having access to a gender neutral bathroom. Meanwhile, feeling unsafe, Coyote notes, “is so normal it’s not even a story.” Recounting the thrill of discovering such “queer heroes” as Leslie Feinberg and Joan Armatrading, Coyote describes the burdens of representation that saddle LGBTQ writers and performers, and ponders the legacy of their own generation of trans artists. Audiences interested in the conversation on trans identities will welcome Coyote’s direct style and compassionate voice.

September 27, 2019

Though mostly known as a spoken word artist, Coyote has authored ten books, including Tomboy Survival Guide. In both forms, they excel as an exciting storyteller. Here, in short episodic and philosophical essays, Coyote takes on the stress of being trans in a culture that lacks safe spaces for them. Some of these stories provoke anger; others lead to laughter. Probably the most controversial essays are those that take on trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs); these pieces will produce a lot of discussion. What comes through clearly in this collection is simply how human Coyote is when doing everyday errands and activities. The whole of their philosophy and main point of the book can be summed up in this statement: "We need to soften this world up, not make our kids harder." VERDICT Coyote has a deep humanity that is hard to resist and creates an immediate connection with readers. An insightful collection for all.--David Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia

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