Nevada

Nevada

Imogen Binnie’s 2013 novel, Nevada, is a dark comedy that follows Maria Griffiths, a 29 year old transwoman living in New York who begrudgingly navigates the impending doom of her relationship, unemployment, identity politics and queerness. Binnie utilizes an inner monologue form, where the text is mostly comprised of Maria’s internal thought processes and reflections, dotted with the perspectives of those Maria interacts with, such as an ex lover and new acquaintance. While Binnie’s protagonist, or antagonist as some readers have noted, is trans, the novel does not follow the tropes so often seen in books, movies, and other forms of pop culture centered around trans characters. It doesn’t focus solely on transition or a singular transition, but rather paints Maria as a three dimensional human whose transness extends far beyond that timeline.

Through this fictional approach, Binnie demonstrates the complexity of Maria’s identity, and shows that transness is not truncated and dictated solely by medical transition. She shows that transness is more complicated and dynamic than that, and that characters can be trans but also full fledged human beings. Binnie captures the intricacies of pain and how engaging with one’s issues intellectually is often a coping mechanism used by those who need to distance themselves from internal agony. Maria is a self-sabotaging trainwreck who screws everything up, but simultaneously manages to draw empathy from readers. She is equal parts exasperating and endearing, where so many of her actions and comments are relatable.

Binnie, Imogen

Topside Press

2013

Text

English

Book