Woodworking
Woodworking ~ Emily St. James
Erica is a recently divorced 35 year old High School teacher who is trying to come to terms with her identity. She lives her life as a man, has a mustache, wears men’s clothing, all of that. She has never felt right as a man, and keeping that fact a secret succeeded in destroying her marriage. Her ex-wife is now married to a Trump lover, and is pregnant.
Erica befriends Abigail, the only other trans person in their small South Dakota town. Abigail was kicked out of her parents’ house and lives with her older sister and her sister’s boyfriend. She is secretly hooking up with a popular boy who is the son of conservative parents. It’s an election year (2016) and political divisions are bringing the injustices and indignities of trans life to the fore front.
Woodworking refers to the desire to blend in like the woodwork, to be allowed to be yourself without it always having to become a thing.
I liked Woodworking a lot. The characters are smart and funny, and it went directions that I did not expect. I liked the writing, and I liked almost all of the characters (not the jerks, obviously). Highly recommended.
32 Comments
PocoBrat
This sounds SO unlike ESJM’s other work! I mean, even the blurb by Shelby Van Pelt–“Hilarious”?!? I would never describe any of her other work as hilarious!
AND I can’t wait to read it–I wonder how much of her own divorce and subsequent queerness plays into to the writing of the main character…
J
I think a lot. In the afterward, she discussed how all of the trans characters are, while not BASED on real people that she knew, certainly had real life examples of their struggles and decisions.
PocoBrat
I realized too late that she’s dropped the “M” part but I still used it in my abbreviation of her name. Apologies to ESJ and you!
PocoBrat
YES!!! I got really mixed up!!! I’m so glad I didn’t make this mistake in class. Phew!
J
I suspect a really easy mix up! Until you mentioned Station 11 I had no idea what the M might be about, but figured you knew more than I did on this author.
Lisa’s Yarns
I think you are mixing up the St John v St James (ESJM is St John)!! But I initially saw this and thought – wait, ESMJ has a new book!!
J
So many Emily St Js out there writing great books!
Sarah
I loved this book!
J
I found it thanks to you I think, so THANK YOU!
Ernie
I’ve not heard of this book. But so funny that I literally just finished reading Remarkably Bright Creatures. I’m always a little behind on what everyone else is reading. This book sounds so different from Remarkably Bright.
J
Coincidence that the person giving the blurb on the front is the author of the book you just read, right? I haven’t read Remarkably Bright Creatures yet, so I’m behind you on that one.
Ernie
OMG- what was I thinking? I guess I glanced at the cover and I thought it was saying that those two books had the same author. I’m a goof. Just ignore me. ?
J
LOL, no worries!
Margaret
What an intriguing plot! I’ve never read a book with trans characters; it’s about time I do.
J
I think this may be a first for me too, actually.
Nicole MacPherson
Sounds interesting!
J
It was really good, I think you would love it.
PocoBrat
I don’t know how, because Nicole dislikes the genre, but I would love for her to read ESJ’s _Station Eleven_!
J
I think you’re conflating two different authors? Emily St. James, who wrote Woodworking, and Emily St. John Mandel, who wrote Station Eleven. As far as I know, SJM isn’t trans, though she is queer. <3
J
I love ESJM’s Station Eleven books!
Jenny
JULIE I GOT YOUR PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!! I have to say that I haven’t tried the tea yet- I just got it last night and today is not an “Earl Grey day” for me, but it smells AMAZING. I mean as soon as I opened the envelope, that bergamot flavor came wafting out- so I think the tea is going to be really, really good. I’ll have some tomorrow and report back! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Anyway- I’ve heard of this book. It sounds really good, but I’m not sure if reading about the 2016 election will stress me out. Maybe I’ll get it from my library and try it.
J
YAY! It came in a nice box, but it would not have stood up to shipping, and I kept a couple of bags for myself. But when I tasted that tea at our hotel in Portland, I thought, JENNY. Then when I saw it for sale, I knew I had to get some for you.
The election is barely mentioned actually, but it’s going on in the background a bit. There is a local election that plays heavily.
Jenny
Wait- I meant the bergamot AROMA came wafting out of the envelope. Flavor did not waft. Sheesh.
J
Eh, we taste with our noses. 😉
Allison McCaskill
I love that everyone in the comments is confused about one thing or another lol. I am interested in this book by Emily St. James. I enjoyed Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I loved Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Maybe the publishing world just isn’t big enough for two Emily Saint Somethings! At least not where perimenopausal women are concerned?
J
LOL, thank you for wrapping it all up so well. How do you feel about Earl Grey tea (Jenny’s comment)?
Allison McCaskill
Strongly in favour! (flavour?)
J
Cute!
Lisa’s Yarns
This sounds like a good book to consider when we pick 2026 reads for my book club! I’m going to add it to the list!
J
It was really good!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Oh this is going on my TBR. Such an interesting storyline and things I can read and learn more about.
I only git confused when I started reading the comments. Ha. And probably once I tried to write about it on my blog.
J
LOL, Maya confused everyone!