About Face

About Face follows John Colapinto's investigation of a tragic medical case from 1960s Canada, where a botched circumcision led to a radical gender reassignment experiment on an infant patient. The story traces the long-term impact of this decision and the controversial theories of psychologist Dr. John Money, who oversaw the case. The narrative moves between past and present as Colapinto reconstructs events through extensive interviews, medical records, and personal accounts. His reporting expands beyond the central case to examine broader questions in the nature-versus-nurture debate and the development of gender identity theory in North America. The book documents the intersection of medical ethics, scientific ambition, and family trauma while examining how this case influenced gender research and clinical practices. Through careful research and detailed reporting, Colapinto presents the human cost of treating theoretical questions as settled science.

Readers describe this book as a page-turner with rich character development and intense psychological tension. The dual storylines and themes of identity resonate with many reviewers. Readers appreciate: - Detailed research on facial reconstruction surgery - Complex moral questions without easy answers - Fast-paced plot that maintains suspense - Vivid descriptions of Peruvian settings - Realistic portrayal of newsroom dynamics Common criticisms: - Some plot points require suspension of disbelief - Final act feels rushed compared to earlier chapters - A few secondary characters lack depth - Medical details occasionally slow the pacing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Reader quote: "The premise hooked me immediately and the ethical dilemmas kept me thinking long after finishing." - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Strong start and middle, but the ending wrapped up too neatly given the complex setup." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 The subject of the book, David Reimer, was born a male but raised as a girl after a circumcision accident in infancy. His case was initially reported as a success story for nurture over nature in gender identity. 🔹 Dr. John Money, the psychologist who oversaw David's case, used it to promote his theories about gender being primarily learned rather than innate – but suppressed evidence that contradicted his claims. 🔹 Despite being raised as "Brenda," David Reimer never felt female and began living as a male at age 14 when he learned the truth about his past. He later married and became a stepfather to three children. 🔹 Author John Colapinto first broke this story in Rolling Stone magazine in 1997, winning the National Magazine Award and leading to this more comprehensive book treatment. 🔹 The book's revelations helped change medical practices regarding intersex infants and forced the medical community to reconsider its approach to gender assignment surgeries.