This is How it Always is by Laurie Frankel

Claude Walsh-Adams was born a boy… but she isn’t entirely comfortable with the arrangement. Her four brothers and two loving, liberal parents embrace Claude’s choice and accept her for who she is, but as she and her unwelcome masculine body begin to develop, it’s soon clear that society might struggle to do so. This Is How It Always Is, the third novel from Laurie Frankel, is a touching exploration of identity, gender and acceptance in contemporary America.

Frankel imbues her characters with wit, pathos and heart and her capacity for imagination never ceases to delight. Capable of some charming turns of phrase, it’s somewhat surprising that Frankel’s prose seems grammatically askew at times. In particular, the author enjoys a complex relationship with the comma (popping up in places it shouldn’t be and not bothering to appear in others of importance), which threatens to distract from her obvious talent as a storyteller.

These quibbles about her writing style might make the work difficult to access in the opening chapters. However, once she has warmed to her theme and the reader has warmed to her characters (as they undoubtedly will), the weight of her message wins through and in the end we’re left with a heartfelt, illuminating insight into the world of gender confusion. A difficult but important topic tackled with humour, humility and above all, humanity.