“Halberstam’s marvelous new book combines fierce argumentation, vivid description, and astute as well as hilarious commentary. The author not only provides a powerful critique of common defenses and dismissals of ‘postmodernism,’ but offers a redefinition of ‘identity politics’ for the new millennium as well.
—Lisa Duggan, author of Twilight of Equality?: Neoliberalism, Cultural Politics, and the Attack on Democracy In her first book since the critically a… More >>
In a Queer Time and Place: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives
it’s impossible for me to be entirely fair because i absolutely LOVE judith halberstam…
as a student of gender and queer history, i find dr. halberstam’s work so compelling because not only does it utilize pathbreaking and up-to-date theoretical schema, but the lovely doctor also writes with wit and ease, making her new book a very pleasurable read. her use, as always, of visual texts to suppliment her arguements is helpful and engaging. her work on trans issues is groundbreaking and fresh, and if you’re going to read anything on the subject, please read her.
it’s my dream to be the femme version of dr. halberstam. enough said.
Rating: 5 / 5
This was my first time reading Halberstam and I’ve decided we don’t jell. If you’re a fan, of course you’ll like her earlier work on Queer theory. If not, this book is hit or miss. My main complaint: too much of her argument involves the same stereotyping and intolerance she rails against.
Rating: 1 / 5
Halberstam, Judith. “In a Queer Time and Place: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives”, NYU Press, 2005.
Identity
Amos Lassen
“In a Queer Time and Place” is a small book with a lot to say. Halberstam looks at society from its cultural aspects and connects it to the understanding of the body. Using the transperson as her focus, she looks at identity. What we have is a critique which shows the relationship between gay issues and trans issues by showing how trans people are represented in all aspects of society.
The descriptions are detailed and vibrant and Halberstam’s commentary is very funny making this an enjoyable book to read. Postmodernism takes on a whole new look. The book begins with a look at Brandon/Teena, the young murdered transgender man who was murdered in Nebraska and Halberstam first looks at the way this was perceived by modern society and by the media. She them moves onto trans issues as seen on film, drag king culture and lesbian sub-cultures.
This is a wonderful study of the visibility of the trans body in fiction, art, video and music and is a perfect place from which to begin a study.
Rating: 5 / 5