Review: Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin

 

I read this book as a part of the trans rights readathon but had wanted to read it for a very long time. 

Manhunt is a horror novel that takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of the US, specifically the Northeast. The world has fallen apart due to a disease that causes anyone with higher testosterone levels to turn into animalistic monsters. This means that most men, transwomen not on estrogen, and other people with conditions causing higher testosterone levels have become these monsters. The story follows Fran and Beth, two transwomen who have to hunt these men and remove their testicles and other organs to keep their testosterone levels low enough to remain themselves. 

As if ravaging monsters that rape and eat people wasn't enough, terfs (trans-exclusive radical feminists) have decided to make it their duty to eradicate transwomen. Fran, Beth, and any other transwomen have to live in fear and caution to avoid being left to turn into a beast by the terf army. There's also Robbie, a transman living alone in the woods, killing off the men he can. Until his path collides with Fran and Beth, and he gets swept up into their lives. And there's also Indi, a doctor, a friend to Beth and Fran, and a fat woman. Even in the apocalypse, Indi always has to prove her worth and ability as a fat person to everyone else. Even as a doctor who makes estrogen, she isn't respected outside her friend group. 

This book is a lot. It's gruesome and violent from the get-go. Sexual intimacy is twisted by the backdrop of a dangerous world. The friendships and loves are desperate. The anti-trans sentiment is difficult to deal with when the world has ended. This is a great exploration of the possible extent that transphobes could go. It's an exploration of what it means to win. It is an exploration of what it means to be good in a world where goodness doesn't exist. 

It was everything I had hoped for and so much more. I was disturbed, heartbroken, and frightened. This is not a story for the faint of heart. It's not a story for everyone, and that's okay. This book's content warnings list is extremely long, but I will list the most notable. Transphobia is heavy in this book as well as violence, graphic injury, sexual assault, body horror, fatphobia, self-harm, and more. Please, please check out StoryGraph for a full list of these possible content warnings. For a book like this, it is essential to be aware of what you're getting into and make sure you have the emotional space to consume the content. Please be safe and kind to yourself when reading. 

Despite the intense nature of this book, it is still one I highly recommend. If you are a horror fan or enjoy queer literature, you should consider checking this book out. 

If you'd like to purchase this book, head over to Bookshop.org, an alternative to Amazon and where I get a portion of the sales made from my recommendations. 

As always, happy reading!