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  • Tomboy Survival Guide

  • Written by: Ivan Coyote
  • Narrated by: Ivan Coyote
  • Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (90 ratings)

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Tomboy Survival Guide

Written by: Ivan Coyote
Narrated by: Ivan Coyote
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Publisher's Summary

Stonewall Book Award Honor Book winner

Ivan Coyote is a celebrated storyteller and the author of 10 previous books, including Gender Failure (with Rae Spoon) and One in Every Crowd, a collection for LGBT youth. Tomboy Survival Guide is a funny and moving memoir told in stories, in which Ivan recounts the pleasures and difficulties of growing up a tomboy in Canada's Yukon, and how they learned to embrace their tomboy past while carving out a space for those of us who don't fit neatly into boxes or identities or labels.

Ivan writes movingly about many firsts: the first time they were mistaken for a boy; the first time they purposely discarded their bikini top so they could join the boys at the local swimming pool; and the first time they were chastised for using the women's washroom. Ivan also explores their years as a young butch, dealing with new infatuations and old baggage, and life as a gender-box-defying adult, in which they offer advice to young people while seeking guidance from others. (And for tomboys in training, there are even directions on building your very own unicorn trap.)

Tomboy Survival Guide warmly recounts Ivan's adventures and mishaps as a diffident yet free-spirited tomboy, and maps their journey through treacherous gender landscapes and a maze of labels that don't quite stick, to a place of self-acceptance and an authentic and personal strength. These heartfelt, funny, and moving stories are about the culture of difference - a "guide" to being true to one's self.

©2016 Ivan Coyote (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about Tomboy Survival Guide

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is a MUST read!!

Ivan's story is so incredibly descriptive! Their writing makes you feel as if they're talking to you. I've learned so much while reading this book. I've laughed and cried at the same exact time.

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  • Kr
  • 2020-11-21

Insightful. And lovely

Ivan shares such an insightful, lovely account of their life. A must read for any LGBTQIA+ person

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Gratitude

My mother just said “Well they’re amazing! Something about an author who can make you laugh and cry and ache with nostalgia all in the same sentence.”
My mom is 62 and I call her “Ma”. I am a trans man and we’ve had a history, Ma and I. We have plenty of stories that sound similar to the ones in this book, together and individually.
I avoided Ivan’s books for a long time, knowing their storytelling would rub a little too painfully against the raw parts of my shared experiences...bathrooms, f*cking bathrooms.
I’m at a place where I can hear these stories and I am grateful that they have filled me up. I am grateful that I got to share nostalgia, tears, and laughter with my Ma. I got to meet Ivan at a writer’s festival in Ottawa this year (2019) and I’m grateful for that too. They are a very human human. I can’t wait to explore the rest of their work.

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Ivan is a talented storyteller

Ivan’s stories always manage to hit me right in the heart.

They have a way of transporting you right along with them to points in their life as well as making you think back on your own life.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I want more books by Ivan on audiable please!!

I relished every word. There is something in this book for everyone and everyone should listen. Boy can they tell a story! Edge of my seat with even the simplest of the stories, true Canadian gem.

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A must listen.

I had already planned on reading this book, but seeing that Ivan had personally recorded an audiobook I knew I had to listen to it instead. They are one of the most brilliant storytellers of our time. Thank you for this beautiful guide.

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Fantastic, funny, emotional, queer stories

Ivan Coyote is a national treasure. Their stories never cease to enchant me and break my heart. I've read nearly all of their published works and this is one of the best ones. Highly recommend the audiobook which is read by the author.

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    5 out of 5 stars

So relatable

Ivan Coyote talks about their childhood & youth as a tomboy. They have an easy going style and they tell some funny & some poignant stories. Loved it!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

my own tomboy self reflected in these words

The feelings, thoughts, circumstances experienced by this author... that reflects some of how I experienced my tomboy youth in a small Canadian town...they gave perfect words/voice to that life. And then to be able to hear how they were strong enough to actualize that person they are, as a mature adult. It was so awesome for me to hear that all expressed by this author. This book gives one strength to do what feels right, to be able to feel comfortable in one's own skin, and life.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

The pacing of the narration caught me at first, causing a little anxiety from Ivan's seeming lack of breath, but after I adjusted to it, that pacing became one of my favourite parts of this listening experience. I loved the stories and how they were told. I'll be looking into their other books ASAP!

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