Transitions - by Élodie Durand (Paperback)

About the Book

"When university biologist Anne Marbot learns that the 19-year-old she raised as "Lucie" is a transgender man named Alex, she's overwhelmed by questions. How can this be? Who put these ideas in your head? What if you regret it? Am I overreacting? How will your grandparents react? Why didn't I see it coming? Why is this so easy for others? Am I a bigot? What does gender really mean, anyway? How can I be the parent my child needs? It soon becomes clear that Alex is not the only one embarking on a journey of self-discovery. The road is not easy, and sometimes their relationship is bitterly strained. But Alex is sure of himself, and Anne is determined to be strong for his sake. With time, she too will be transformed, rediscovering her identity as a mother in profound new ways"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

When Anne learns that her 19-year-old is a transgender man, she struggles to understand her son's new identity. A new landmark in nonfiction comics, Transitions is a sympathetic, informative, and moving story of a family's journey to acceptance.

"I thought I was open-minded... The news of my child's gender change hit me like a tidal wave, sweeping away all my certainties. Sweeping away the comfort of my tidy little life."

When university biologist Anne Marbot learns that the 19-year-old she raised as "Lucie" is a transgender man named Alex, she's overwhelmed by questions. How can this be? Who put these ideas in your head? What if you regret it? Am I overreacting? How will your grandparents react? Why didn't I see it coming? Why is this so easy for others? Am I a bigot? What does gender really mean, anyway? How can I be the parent my child needs?

It soon becomes clear that Alex is not the only one embarking on a journey of self-discovery. The road is not easy, and sometimes their relationship is bitterly strained. But Alex is sure of himself, and Anne is determined to be strong for his sake. With time, she too will be transformed, rediscovering her identity as a mother in profound new ways.

With grace and sensitivity, award-winning graphic novelist Élodie Durand (Parenthesis) captures the unique journey of well-meaning loved ones who struggle to reconcile new gender identities with their old assumptions. Deeply researched and drawn from true experience, Transitions is a must-read companion for allies and families navigating trans issues and a compassionate roadmap to acceptance.

Review Quotes

"An excellent graphic novel and resource for families and others who experience the unexpected transition of a loved one." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"While Alex commences his journey to be himself, Anne, too, begins her own process from resistance to acceptance. Durand presents the raw, aching spectrum of Anne's experiences as a hybrid journal of personal reflections, historical elucidations, and scientific evidence... Alex's real-life letter to his mother near the book's end is a spectacular coda." -- Booklist (starred review)

"Durand's and Anne's commitment to showing the work and not just the correct answer to this impossibly complex equation is a gift to readers, particularly for parents who don't have many blueprints to choose from... Sometimes we trans people wish for quick and easy acceptance as our authentic selves, but we have to remember that we're asking people to fundamentally reorganize who we have been to them, to see us newly, and that takes effort and deep work. This book is a model for what that kind of journey might look like." --Graphic Medicine

"Tackling a potentially controversial subject with intelligence and sympathy, Élodie Durand creates an informative, original, and deeply healing work." --BDGest

"Through the character of Anne and the conflicted relationship between mother and child, Transitions delivers a true story with which many parents can identify." --Bodoï

About the Author

Élodie Durand is an artist and illustrator, for both children and adults, who has been working for over 15 years. She graduated from the School of Decorative Arts of Strasbourg and the University of Paris VIII. After debuting with the international award-winning graphic memoir Parenthesis, she has also drawn the children's series Les grandes années among other projects.