Kesän jälkeen kaikki on toisin
(It All Changes After the Summer) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Peetu is a 17-year-old transgender youth, who is waiting for his 18th birthday and gender confirming surgery. The novel takes place during the summer before the big changes. Peetu has moved to live with his girlfriend Aamu because the relationships with his family members are complicated. Peetu’s mother doesn’t seem to fully understand and accept his real gender, even though Peetu has always known that he is a boy and has already started hormone replacement therapy. His father, who is a keen glider pilot, suggests that they take ten flights together. During these flights father and son find a connection: it feels easier to talk about the things going around in your head when you are flying in the air.
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
The story moves forward with each flight, during which Peetu and his father reflect on the past, present, and future. Against stereotypes, father and son share their thoughts with each other, so the flights become a refuge for Peetu. The novel deals with transitioning and feelings connected to the process. Peetu believes in himself and in his right to be happy, even though his family does not make it easy. His mother reads trans support center leaflets and supports her child, but only seemingly. The mother is unable to understand and accept the change in her role from a mother of a girl and a boy to a mother of two boys. Peetu’s older brother and girlfriend also have their own opinions about what Peetu and his future will be like after the gender-affirming surgery.