My Brother's Name is Jessica
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My Brother's Name is Jessica
Narrated by:
Joe Jameson
Buy Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Joe Jameson
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By:
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John Boyne
About this listen
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of My Brother's Name is Jessica written by John Boyne, read by Joe Jameson.
Sam Waver's life has always been pretty quiet. A bit of a loner, he struggles to make friends, and his busy parents often make him feel invisible. Luckily for Sam, his older brother, Jason, has always been there for him. Sam idolises Jason, who seems to have life sorted - he's kind, popular, amazing at football, and girls are falling over themselves to date him.
But then one evening Jason calls his family together to tell them that he's been struggling with a secret for a long time. A secret which quickly threatens to tear them all apart. His parents don't want to know and Sam simply doesn't understand.
Because what do you do when your brother says he's not your brother at all? That he's actually . . . your sister?
Critic reviews
...this poignant and disarming story is full of heart and it's crescendo will give you tingles
John Boyne made his name with The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and he's on stellar form in My Brother's Name is Jessica. A sensitively written and timely tale.
A story with so much heart that the pages practically pulse. Both funny and moving... this is a must-read for all ages
Outstanding
A sincere and very readable attempt to educate young people about the trans experience and foster acceptance
John Boyne adds his deft sensitivity to the complex topic of transgenderism
It's all sorts of amazing
I loved My Brother's Name is Jessica. It's a story with so much heart that the pages practically pulse. A moving, thought-provoking, surprising read - don't miss it!
Simply brilliant!
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After finishing this story it’s a big eye opener and will learn not to judge other people.
John boyne has in my opinion written not just a really good story but a great insight into other people’s worlds.
Really enjoyed one of my favourites mainly for changing my opinions on such topics. Which I didn’t believe was possible!
A definite eye opener
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This latest didn't quite hit the spot for me. In many ways, Sam's viewpoint is authentic - his confusion, anger and inability to comprehend his brother's metamorphosis. In others, the almost stereotypical way that their parents, school-friends and the media/society at large seem to view their matter is out-of-date, overblown and unrealistic.
Sam is 13, the second child of a Cabinet Minister and her assistant, brother to a popular football star. When 17-year-old Jason reveals to the family that he is in fact now identifying as a girl, Sam and his parents alike are bewildered, indignant.
With their parents trying to force normality back on the family and Jason resisting, Sam struggles with his agitation and ignorance (seriously - would this generation have learnt nothing of transgender issues in the 21st century classroom?), whilst undergoing some rather shocking clichéd bullying at school.
I really felt for Jason/Jessica, contending with the rampant intolerance and misinformation displayed here, most of which seemed incredibly old-fashioned. I actually wanted to hear from from her. Sam veered between naivety and just plain selfish/unenlightened. At thirteen, I felt he should have been more worldly, their parents definitely so, in the world of government and political posturing.
The parents are both grating and unsympathetic - focused on their careers over family most of the time, wanting to cover over problems to maintain appearances, but that storyline does yield some reward.
Sam himself has room for character growth. Jason/Jessica disappears for a large section of the book, leaving Sam to work through things without the influence of the person who has started his path towards maturity.
The audiobook gives Sam as narrator a young-sounding voice, more the child than the future man, which fits. As a reader/listener, I found his point of view more gullible than I would have expected from a modern-day teenager, but the format did suit the story and its telling. The voices of Sam's family come across as individuals that you can picture and it's a straightforward book to follow aurally.
This may prove a positive source narrative for basing gender identity discussions on with teenagers, for parents and teachers. It raises points that can help dispel myths and misconceptions, though I would be interested to know how the attitudes in here measure up to those of real teenagers, and how transgender individuals see their own experiences of opening up and how it compares.
For ages 12/13 and older.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Gender identity tale from a sibling's viewpoint
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Well done John Boyne
Amazing
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humour, warmth and acuity
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