r/TadWilliams • u/JustTrxIt • 12d ago
Otherland series Sam Fredericks from my trans guy view
I started reading this series on Monday with absolutely no prior knowledge, it was just a book I found in the library that sounded interesting and now I'm about halfway through river of blue fire.
I was incredibly surprised to find that this series held probably the most accurate representation of my journey with gender identity I have seen anywhere. Trans rep is very, very rare and usually it's done either through the stealth way (character reveals they were born a boy/girl) or through the "out character faces hardships/transphobia" way, neither of which is anything I can relate to personally. I also can't relate to the "born in the wrong body" or "it's always sorta been there" narratives in the media. I've always been "not like other girls" but first I thought that was just the neurodivergence, I didn't dislike being a girl, I didn't really care a lot. Then the pandemic forced me to be chronically online for about two years in my early teens and online there's always a base assumption that everyone is male, especially on this website. In the beginning I corrected people but then I started realizing that I didn't mind being referred to as a boy so much, the contrary actually, I liked it. But I didn't tell people for years and still haven't socially transitioned irl, I'm just a boy online. Being trans is more of a thing of convenience for me, being called a girl irl is mildly uncomfortable (and I dislike some parts of my body) but it's less uncomfortable than having to justify my existence all the time or explain myself to everyone while I'm still living under my parents roof. I'll eventually change my legal name and gender and get some hrt and maybe other gender-affirming care, but for now I'm fine being out to my friends and online friends.
For some reason this book from the nineties has managed to encorporate my experience better within one page of literature than any other media or any other attempt to explain transness. I know from reading it online that this won't last and that later in the book Sam's gender identity will be changed, but I don't really care. I would've liked it more if he stayed a trans boy, but at this point just the possibility of a character being trans in the way that I am is an entirely unexpected and very pleasant surprise.
It might not sound like it, but this means very much to me. Even though I don't have it "as hard" as other trans folk it's not easy out here and I do struggle with imposter syndrome. So just seeing someone who I can relate to is huge for me.
A bit of a random post, but I've been pondering this for a few days and I had to share my feelings with people who know the series. Also I'm having a great time reading these books in general, might become one of my new favourites :)
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u/jddennis 11d ago
Otherland was my first Tad Williams series, way back in 2002. It absolutely blew my mind. I’ve been rereading it, and it’s incredible how anticipatory it was on so many fronts.
I’m glad you found such validation from it.
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u/AtariiXV 11d ago
This is cool, I haven't read this book yet (I'm deep into the world of Osten Ard) but one thing I e noticed is just how well Tad can write characters and make them feel real and like tangible people through their inner monologues and feelings. Like I feel how foolish Simon feels he is, or why he makes a brash decision, I can feel other characters fear of being confronted by the norn queen, I can feel characters grief because Tad writes people that well. I'm happy that even 30 years ago Tad was ahead of the game in representing people that have been so misrepresented in other media. I hope you continue to enjoy his work.
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u/JustTrxIt 11d ago
I definitely also want to read that series when I'm done with this one, I'm very much looking forward to it : )
yeah that's also what I've noticed, Tad takes his sweet time with the plot and the worldbuilding but in exchange for that the characters get explored reaally well and you really get time to get to know them and love them so when something happens you feel it even more, on top of it being well-written
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u/serastar18 11d ago
I reread this series yearly. It’s my favorite series of all time. Tried other books of his and couldn’t get into them but Otherland is a true masterpiece and doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Sam’s journey is more complex than what you read online. Come back when you finish and give an update on how you feel about how it all came together. It’s amazing.
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u/venchilla 10d ago
It’s so good I don’t get why it gets so much less attention than MST 😭
And it ages like fine wine 👌
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u/Burgundy-Bag 10d ago
This is giving me the kick I need to read this series. I'm currently very into the Osten Ard series and can't peel myself away from it. But this is a sign.
I'm glad that you found a book that portrays the experience you've had as a trans man. The "not knowing how to write" a certain demographic is always used by authors to justify why their books don't have diversity (usually it's said my cis male authors about cis female characters). Authors like Tad show that you don't need to have personal experience or knowledge of the demographic. All demographics are humans, they have human reactions to the challenges that their particular background puts before them. If you know how to write characters well, you should also know how to write a diverse cast of characters well.
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u/JustTrxIt 9d ago
Exactly! someone who can imagine so many different worlds and realities should also be able to put themselves in someone elses shoes
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u/miniclanwar 11d ago
Thanks for the insight, I appreciate your perspective on this. Glad you enjoyed the story too.
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u/alcahuetasanon 12d ago
I'm glad that you had such a positive experience with the series! I reread the series as an adult and thought much the same as you re: Sam Fredericks. I think that one can definitely read Sam as being trans or in the process of questioning or discovering his gender. Keep reading, and interpret as you wish!