Award-winning trans storyteller Ivan Coyote takes on the patriarchy and the personal in their latest collection of essays.
Governor General's Literary Award finalist; BC Book Prize winner (Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes); Forest of Reading Evergreen Award finalist
Ivan Coyote is one of North America's preeminent storytellers and performers, and the author, co-author, or co-editor of eleven previous books, all but one of which have been published by Arsenal Pulp Press. Their most recent book, Tomboy Survival Guide, was shortlisted for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, named an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, and longlisted for Canada Reads.
In their latest, Ivan takes on the patriarchy and the political, as well as the intimate and the personal in these beguiling and revealing stories of what it means to be trans and non-binary today, at a time in their life when they must carry the burden of heartbreaking history with them, while combatting those who would misgender them or deny their very existence. These stories span thirty years of tackling TERFs, legislators, and bathroom police, sure, but there is joy and pleasure and triumph to be found here too, as Ivan pays homage to personal heroes like the late Leslie Feinberg while gently guiding younger trans folk to prove to themselves that there is a way out of the darkness.
Rebent Sinner is the work of an accomplished artist whose plain truths about their experience will astound readers with their utter, breathtaking humanity.
Awards
- Short-listed, BC Book Prize (Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize) 2020
- Winner, BC Book Prize (Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes) 2020
- Short-listed, Forest of Reading Evergreen Award 2021
- Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Award 2021
What People Are Saying
Coyote describes the burdens of representation that saddle LGBTQ writers and performers, and ponders the legacy of their own generation of trans artists. Audiences interested in the conversation on trans identities will welcome Coyote's direct style and compassionate voice. -Publishers Weekly
If you've never read Coyote's work, this is a fine place to start; it's a delightful and passionate example of the candor, humor, resilience and compassion that has made Coyote a beloved hero for whom we are (mostly) undeserving." Ms. Magazine
Rebent Sinner leaves me feeling like I can face the world. The power of storytelling indeed." Casey the Canadian Lesbrarian
The prose in Rebent Sinner is as alive on the page as when Coyote performs stories on stage." Herizons
Coyote brilliantly nestles kindred moments together and makes the ordinary magical . .. Their writing has a generous quality to it in the way it appeals to everyone's humanity while still firmly advocating for equity, compassion, understanding, and safety for LGBTQ2S+ people, especially trans and/or gender non-conforming youth." Quill and Quire (STARRED REVIEW)
There's humour in this book, alongside pathos and bathos and Joan Armatrading and everything else you'd want from a collection of true stories . .. Rebent Sinner is a book you need to read." Toronto Star
Coyote ought to be recognized as one of Canada’s great humorists … A lot of grit and a lot of heart." The Globe and Mail