Gender Theory by Madeline Docherty. Advance Reader Copy (eARC) from the publisher via NetGalley included. No affiliate links were used. Read my full disclosure policy here.
The cover of Gender Theory by Madeline Docherty against a white background.
Told entirely in the second person – "You are eighteen and this is the first time you have voiced desire, asked for something that you wanted, and received it." – Gender Theory has a unique narration style that places the reader directly in our unnamed Gen Z protagonist's head. Yet, at times, this narration style seems like we are watching our protagonist from afar. As if our protagonist is watching herself from a dissociated state somewhere else without being completely present in her own life. For me, this dual understanding of the novel’s structure added to the intensity of the downward spiral our protagonist's life is in for much of the story.
Plot-wise, Gender Theory is a Scottish coming-of-age novel about a protagonist who is trying to find her way at university while figuring out what it means to build and live a life.
While my chronic illnesses differ from those portrayed in the novel, I still found a sense of recognition in our protagonist's frequent A&E visits, multiple hospital appointments, and trying to balance needing answers and treatment with not wanting a diagnosis to consume your entire life.
It may sound unusual to describe a novel as an experience, but that's exactly what Gender Theory is – an immersive journey that delves into identity, sexuality, mental health, addiction, chronic illness, female friendship, and codependency. It's a captivating read that I couldn't put down!
Gender Theory by Madeline Docherty is published by John Murray, an imprint of Hachette UK. Gender Theory is available in hardback, ebook, and audiobook formats.
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