In Emily St. James's novel, "Woodworking," teenage Abigail Hawkes dreams of escaping her prejudiced small town to start anew in a big city. Forced to confront her gender identity, she grapples with the concept of 'woodworking'—the act of blending in and passing as cisgender. Despite a violent family background and discrimination from peers, Abigail remains resolute in her pursuit of authenticity, reflecting broader societal pressures against transgender individuals. The story, set against the political backdrop of 2016, highlights the challenges and sacrifices inherent to navigating identity in an unsupportive environment.
Abigail Hawkes earnestly dreams of disappearing, hoping to escape her small town and start anew, longing for acceptance away from prejudice.
The term 'woodworking' refers to the act of passing as cis and fading into the background, a change many trans individuals consider to find safety.
As Abigail navigates her tumultuous relationship with her family and society, she's constantly confronted with the harsh reality of being transgender.
The narrative emphasizes the enduring struggle to find authenticity while facing profound societal pressures and discrimination almost a decade into the future.
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