Yes, it’s true, the title – A Queer and Pleasant Danger had me hooked before I had even opened the book. But come on, word play like that? you know the whole book is going to be well-written if nothing else. And it’s by Kate Bornstein, the original gender outlaw. And it’s got its fair share of Scientology in it. I may as well stop my review here because this book ticked all my boxes. I loved it.
But that may not be the case for all of you. The subtitle of the book gives a pretty good synopsis: The true story of s nice Jewish boy who joins the Church of Scientology and leaves 12 years later to become the lovely lady she is today. The book is a great mix of a Scientology take-down, gender re-assignment and thoughts about what gender is anyways. It is funny, troubling, heart-breaking, raunchy and enlightening all at the same time.
Who would like this book? I think a third gender is slowly becoming more acceptable in the world and Kate Bornstein is a pioneer in the practice and theory of this. She is brilliant and eye-opening. But she will also likely shock you. I think that is a good thing. Here’s a little peak at the trailer for the documentary of A Queer and Pleasant Danger.
52 books or bust 
I am pleased you read and enjoyed this book. I haven’t read it and I’m not sure I would but I have been familiar with Kate Bornstein for years. I find all the attention on “trans”/gender issues lately to be a little disturbing and I say that as someone who transitioned (female to male) 15 years ago when it was not trendy or fashionable, but I imagine Bornstein would offer a sensible voice.
It does seem like trans/ gender is the ‘it’ thing at the moment, but if it brings more acceptance and makes things easier for anyone who does not see themselves as strictly male or female, then I’m all for it. Plus Bornstein is just so quick, witty and intelligent.
Honestly, I have no idea if this story would work for me. I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who likes raunchy humor, but I do love the title!
It’s not all raunchy. She just tells it like it is, and her life treads towards the raunch.