Something That May Shock and Discredit You

By Daniel Mallory Ortberg

A New York Times bestselling feminist author's sparkling memoir of gender transition (among many other things).

Reasons for Transitioning: Want to impress good-looking ex; Want to upset good-looking ex; Bored of existing wardrobe, looking for excuse to buy all-new clothes that don’t fit in a new way; Younger siblings getting too much attention; Neoliberalism??; Want to sing both parts of a duet at karaoke; Something about upper-body strength; Excited to reinforce a different set of sexist stereotypes; Cheaper haircuts; Just love layering shirts ...

From the beloved writer behind The Toast and Slate’s ‘Dear Prudence’ column comes a personal essay collection exploring popular culture, literature, religion, and sexuality. With wit and compassion, Daniel Mallory Ortberg revisits beloved cultural and literary figures in the light of his transition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scribe Publications
• Release date: Apr 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781925938302

Daniel Mallory Ortberg

Daniel Mallory Ortberg is the co-creator of the Toast and the author of the New York Times Bestseller Texts From Jane Eyre.

Reviews for Something That May Shock and Discredit You

[mialro_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've loved Daniel Lavery's writing ever since the old The Toast days, and will read everything he writes. I loved all the Bible references which he used as descriptive parallels to his transitioning (Jacob wrestling with God and being given a new name, etc.). He also did several of his signature retellings/reimaginings of classical poetry and literature. This book was funny and poignant and I liked it very much. 4 out of 5 stars.Trigger warnings for this book: dysphoria, transphobia, Bible passages, depression and anxiety

[rivkat_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Memoir-ish account, punctuated by Lavery’s distinctive imagined conversations/monologues in the voices of historical/literary characters, of his transition and his relationship to transness and religious faith. Reminded me a lot of David Sedaris in exposing his own uncertainties and follies.

[jonerthon-437513 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Mean Girls chapter is perhaps the best popular culture mashup of the 21st century. Just read it.

[arosoff-513117 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(Review note: The author is credited as Daniel Mallory Ortberg, but recently changed his name to Danny M. Lavery. For the sake of clarity, I'm using his pre-marital name in this review.)

I'm not sure exactly how I felt about this. I loved Ortberg's writing at the Toast. This ranges across formats and genres, and some of it is more successful than others. I enjoy memoirs in general, and that worked well. The literary experimentation was a mixed bag but that may depend on personal taste. I don't really go for Christian theology, and while I completely understand Ortberg's choices there, it is not my thing.

It's difficult for me to grade this because it's such a mix, but ultimately, I went for how well I think he pulled it off and less about how much I enjoyed it.

[brangwinn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this after reading Becoming a Man by P. Carl. These chapters about a gay lifestyle doesn’t have the power that P. Carl’s memoir has. But it does have lots of humor along with the serious stuff. I think I made a mistake reading it when I did, because a week after reading it I want to reread it rather than making an expectation like I did. Lavery’s look at all the things that made him who his is, stayed with me.