Self-Made Man: One Woman’s Journey into Manhood and Back by Norah Vincent (Viking hardback). Who better to hold their nose and dive into the red planet world of men than an adventurous lesbian whose graceful, liberal sentiments expose l’homme with an endeavored, unbiased honesty? Ladies, gentleman and transsexuals, let me introduce you to Norah Vincent, author of Self-Made Man, a sociological thriller. Deeply compelled by her desire to understand the unspoken codes and rules, the ins and outs, of male society, Norah becomes Ned for a year and a half, complete with a deeper voice, stubble and a flat chest.
Ned begins his investigation by joining an all-male bowling team. He moves on to flirting at strip clubs, dating, joining a monastery and, lastly, a men’s therapy group. Vincent simply relays her experiences, which are far from simple and nothing short of profound.
Don’t expect to read an overtly feminist or subtly bitter account of the alpha male. You can expect to weigh the scales of the sexes, to feel both disdain and compassion for their plight and success, guided by a talented writer with a gift for poignant insights. — Emily Milloy
This article appears in Feb 1-7, 2006.
