Summary: The true story of Sandra Pankhurst (born Peter). Peter was adopted, abused dreadfully as a child, married young, and fathered two children before transitioning to a female. She then became a sex worker, did drugs, was violently raped, moved from home to home, married, and currently runs a business cleaning homes where a violent crime has occurred, the tenant has died, or has hoarded to the extent they are unable to manage their own cleanliness.
Thoughts: Oh. My. Gosh. Could one person have gone through more in their life! If you think you’ve had a tough life, read this and your life is paradise by comparison. The book alternates between the past and present, detailing Peter’s and Sandra’s experiences. After all she went through, Sandra’s attitude is remarkable. She is insightful, generous, understanding, and inspirational, although very few would want to take on her way of life. Gritty and detailed, the story is not for the squeamish. Her gender transition is made all the more remarkable given it happened before changes to the law allowed gays to live openly, and before transgender surgery was a thing.
