Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Written in the second person, it follows a narrator through uni and into her mid-20s as she deals with relationships, her own sense of self-worth, endometriosis and, most of all, the friendship with her best friend Ella. I would read more Scottish contemporary fiction if more of it was like this! I thought the writing was fab and obviously I loved how Scotland, primarily Glasgow, was seen through the lens of a young woman. I often have issues with how Glasgow is depicted in books and this felt like the most true depiction of how I see the city I'm from (which is obviously just my experience!) There were a few inaccurate/muddled geographical and uni references that made me pause for a second, and the middle of the book did feel a bit samey – a lot of self-destructive behaviour and hopping into bad relationships – but overall it wrapped up on a note that made me appreciate the protagonist's journey. I definitely recommend.

a gorgeous book that i must admit i found somewhat difficult to get through with some of themes and contents. beautiful job.

I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)

Packing an emotional punch into a mere 193 (!!) pages Gender Theory follows an unnamed protagonist as she navigates all the growing pains of being young: love, friendship, sexuality, identity.

You could call this a coming-of-age story except that our main character is relentlessly hampered and moulded by chronic pain and undiagnosed endometriosis. Every subplot and storyline is shadowed by discomfort and fear, fatigue and isolation: an experience that Madeline Docherty manages to make both deeply personal to the main character and representative of every woman whose pain has been underreported and untreated.

I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone, but especially fans of Sally Rooney, Caleb Azumah Nelson, and Jessica Andrews.

Gender Theory is a heavy, intense novel, at times distressing, occasionally very moving. It deals with themes/events that may be upsetting for some readers, including sexuality and homophobia, substance and physical abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

It's a lot. Arguably, too much for one novel. I found the main character, Ella overwhelming, and it didn't help that I had a hard time warming to her. I found myself torn between intense sympathy and irritation.

One of the themes that I did identify with is how people with conditions such as endometriosis can be so often dismissed by the medical profession, often receiving scant attention and poor treatment. It's symptomatic of a broader dismissal of women. Plus ça change...

I was rather disappointed that the novel didn't live up to my expectations in one respect: with the title 'Gender Theory', I was really hoping for a more insightful exploration of gender. Apart from some nods to bi- and homosexuality, it was largely about heteronormative roles. Overall, I was left feeling it was all a bit shallow and self-indulgent.

This was a really intriguing book that felt at once extremely honest and unflinching, but also at times mannered. I personally struggled with the second person tense and couldn’t help but feel that the book tread over very familiar themes. But - it was beautifully written and I liked the characters.

This was really well written and I really enjoyed this book. I loved the obsessive love between the two girls. It's obsessive, it's heavy, it's intense. I also enjoyed the highlight placed around endometriosis and the main character struggling with her illness. It was great, I would definitely recommend this.

My heart 💔😭

This book may only be 186 pages, but wow, does it pack a punch. What a phenomenal representation of bisexual girlhood. From falling in romantic love with your friend who doesn't reciprocate, to your first toxic girlfriend, and then pushing yourself to the other extreme of hetero relationships to fill a void. This book will stay with me and will be a frequent reread.

“As you walk into your hallway, Ella comes out of her room, grinning , and leads you into the kitchen. You know your night won’t be real until you share it with her. She puts the kettle on, and you tell her everything.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Full Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up

For me, reading "Gender Theory" by Madeline Docherty was practically like looking into a mirror. The second-person narration immerses you into the unnamed narrator's world, navigating the complexities of bisexuality, reproductive health, and toxic relationships. Docherty's poignant depiction of these themes resonated deeply with me, not only as a reader but as someone who has walked similar paths.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Gender Theory" is its exploration of the suffocating heat of girlhood through the narrator's experiences. We first meet her at university, losing her virginity and rushing to tell her friend Ella, the only person who makes her feel safe. This relationship beautifully captures the intense, often confusing, dynamics of female friendships and the validation sought through male sexual desire. Docherty deftly illustrates how this need for validation can lead to dangerous situations, a theme that many women, including myself, can relate to.

As the narrator's sexual journey unfolds, she discovers her attraction to women, a revelation that echoes the confusion and elation of multisexual attraction in a society that often insists on monosexual norms. This aspect of the story felt particularly personal to me, and I often wanted to reach into the book and give the narrator the biggest and softest hug.

Docherty's portrayal of the narrator's struggle with endometriosis adds another layer of depth to the story. The book highlights the medical field's lack of understanding and empathy regarding reproductive health for those with uteruses. The narrator's journey through various medical procedures and the eventual diagnosis of endometriosis shed light on the often stigmatized and misunderstood nature of this condition. It was eye-opening to see the added shame and frustration that come with reproductive disorders, particularly for those assumed to be future mothers.

The relationship between the narrator and Ella is the heart of the novel. Ella's constant presence and support, despite their complicated dynamics, underscore the importance of found family in the queer community. As the narrator navigates her bisexuality, toxic relationships, and health issues, Ella is her anchor, even when their friendship teeters on the edge of sexual intimacy. This relationship mirrors the experiences of many bisexual individuals who struggle to find their place in our monosexual world.

Throughout "Gender Theory," Docherty captures the chaotic and often self-destructive behavior that can arise from being perpetually treated as sexually available. The narrator's substance abuse and struggles with intimacy are portrayed with raw honesty, reflecting the impact of bisexual stigma and oppression. These themes hit close to home, reminding me of my own journey towards self-acceptance and the challenges faced along the way.

Despite the emotional weight of the narrative, "Gender Theory" ends on a hopeful note. The narrator's journey towards independence, self-care, and embracing her queerness is a testament to the resilience and strength of bisexual individuals. Docherty's writing beautifully depicts the difficulty of managing an unmanageable life and finding joy amidst the chaos.

Reading "Gender Theory" was a profoundly personal experience for me. As a bisexual woman, I appreciated the authentic representation and the exploration of bisexuality's nuances. While the writing style and plot became somewhat redundant towards the end, this did not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment. Docherty's ability to capture the complexities of bisexuality, reproductive health, and toxic relationships earns "Gender Theory" a solid 4.5 stars from me. Thank you, Madeline, for this gorgeous book. I will be thinking about it for a long time.

📖 Recommended For: Readers who resonate with coming-of-age stories centered around queerness and disability, those interested in the complexities of female friendships, admirers of introspective narratives exploring identity and trauma, fans of bisexual fiction.

🔑 Key Themes: Bisexuality and Sexual Identity, Female Friendships and Found Family, Reproductive Health and Endometriosis, Sexual Violence and Healing, Navigating Toxic Relationships, Compulsory Monosexuality, Self-Discovery and Independence.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Sexual Content (moderate), Alcohol (severe), Drug Use (severe), Sexual Harassment (moderate), Domestic Violence (minor), Biphobia (severe), Sexual Assault (minor), Blood (moderate), Vomit (minor), Abortion (moderate), Alcoholism (minor), Illness (severe), Medical Content (severe).

Gender Theory is such a refreshing, welcomed addition to the contemporary fiction genre. It reminded me of Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney, but with even more frankness and insight into the struggles of womanhood.

The narrator and I haven’t gone through the same things - our experiences and desires differ of course, but that doesn’t take away from how deeply the story resonated with me. Docherty’s choice of writing in second person POV, and the way this made it feel almost like a journal, adds to its intimacy DESPITE the narrator being nameless (I’m pretty sure), and the actual narrative voice being quite blunt and unemotive. I enjoyed this contrast, and I think really, it gave the effect that despite reading 200 pages about this character, you will never truly know her because she doesn’t yet truly know herself.

Like I’ve already established, I felt a deep connection to the narrator, but ultimately this book is also about female friendship and the bond between two girls who came of age together. I don’t know whether it was just because I wasn’t focusing so much on this aspect, but I do feel like there was room for further exploration of that. As that didn’t reach its full potential, I think some pivotal/emotional beats were less impactful.

I also think, and this is no fault of the authors, but being so personally invested in the story I was subconsciously hoping it would offer me resolutions for my own life. Obviously, it didn’t haha. But unfortunately, it just made me feel like something was missing once I’d finished.

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 of somewhere else without being completely present for 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 that sees our protagonist trying to find her way at university while figuring out what it means to build and live a life.

My chronic illnesses are different than those portrayed in the novel, yet I still found 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 consume your entire life.

Describing a novel as an experience might sound strange, but that's what Gender Theory feels like – an all consuming experience that examines identity, sexuality, mental health, addiction, chronic illness, female friendship, and codependency. I adored it!

I loved everything about this book, right to the colour of the spine, the photograph on the jacket that made me feel nostalgic for a moment that I probably never lived.
Inhaled the whole story within 24 hours, completely mesmerised by the second-person narration and the visceral images the author created. So many passages I’ve underlined because of the precise accuracy of intense female friendships that can sometimes blur into queer awakenings. The unnamed protagonist was so deeply relatable in her self-destruction and self-loathing but also so unlikeable at the same time. Complex characters with messy relationships to themselves and others. An acute exploration of living with chronic illness in a patriarchal society. Beautiful exploration of existing in between.
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC :)

this book made me feel really really really fucking sad. oh to be young and queer and confused about everything. and pathologically unable to get anything together for yourself. that’s real. this is a real vibe. it’s two am man! im sad as all

I loved this. An exquisitively written debut novel about friendship, identify, illness and sexuality. I really enjoyed her writing on living with an invisible illness and this was book was such a fresh and unique take on a coming of age story. Brilliant characters, brilliant writing and I found it difficult to read some of the sentences for the tears pouring out of my eyes.
A really strong , beautiful and important read, I am already looking forward to whatever Docherty writes next.

4.5 stars.

'gender theory' is an exquisitely written, emotionally astute bildungsroman that follows an unnamed gen-z narrator through present-day glasgow, as she attempts to navigate the cruelty, discomfort, and little highs of coming of age.

docherty's nuanced characterisation, the immediacy of her prose, and her unique narrative style provide a refreshing opportunity to witness the journey from girlhood into womanhood through brand new eyes. because the novel is written in the second person, it feels like we are growing up alongside her; having sex with the wrong people, losing hours to drug-induced comas at university parties, and finding solace in stolen cigarette breaks with our friends. the pronoun 'you' is used expertly here; it demands that we imagine ourselves in her position, which is liberating in her best moments (which are few and far between tbf) and harrowing in her despair.

despite the intimacy and interiority of the text, which is packed with psychologically incisive musings on chronic illness and its impact on relationships, gendered medical gaslighting, and the ramifications of falling for your best friend, 'gender theory' is quick, approachable, and genuinely really funny. docherty has crafted a world and a assortment of characters that are so true to life they feel tangible. i wanted to grab the protagonist and simultaneously beg her to stop making so many bad decisions, slap her hard in the face, and pull her into a huge hug.

what a gift of a book. thanks so much for the arc!

Big thank you John Murray’s for sending over a physical copy of this, aswell as an e-copy!

This book is just beautifully understated. Books don’t always need to be a big flashy story in order to get you to fall in love with it, and Gender Theory is a perfect example of that. It is bittersweet novel that explores friendship, love, sexuality and dealing with a chronic illness, and I saw so much of myself in this story. It made me so nostalgic, but it also made me quite emotional.
I really liked the second person narrative, and the stream of consciousness style. This is such an important book and I can’t wait for everyone to read this!

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Gender Theory is written entirely in second person, a narrative style which I usually hate, but here I am, giving this book five stars. Absolutely loved it!

This is an incredibly addictive novel, following a main character who is struggling to navigate early adulthood, relying too much on a best friend who is trying to do the same. Things get very messy, with relationship struggles and mental health problems, along with the difficulties of dealing with endometriosis. Because of the second person narrative, you feel much closer to the story, experiencing the thoughts and emotions of the main character throughout.

The focus on endometriosis is fantastic, showing the difficulties that can be experienced in trying to get this diagnosed and treated when it’s often missed or misunderstood. I’ve never seen a novel go into such detail with this, despite it being something which affects so many people.

This is an emotional book exploring sexuality, friendship, co-dependence and illness, with so many relatable observations and experiences which I can definitely see resonating with a lot of readers.

Undoubtedly one of my favourite books of this year!

A beautifully written debut by Madeline Docherty! A fast paced read, helped along by the engaging, second person writing style. The plot follows the main character’s initial post-university years and beyond, throughout her twenties, as she tries to find her place in the world and better understand the complexities of her relationships with those around her. The book also highlights the long term impact endometriosis can have on an individual’s life, not just physically but also mentally.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

👭 REVIEW 👭

Gender Theory by Madeline Docherty
Publishing Date: 6th June

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

📝 - You lose your virginity to a boy from your gender theory seminar, and the first person you tell is Ella. Ella’s with you at the party when you first kiss a girl. And Ella takes you to the hospital the first time you’re diagnosed. Over the next few years you have a string of relationships and jobs, but you can always count on Ella to be there for you - until the drinking and the parties, the hospital visits and late night calls, blur the lines of your friendship into something unbalanced and fragile, at risk of breaking altogether. The worst part is you can see it coming. The worst part is you don’t know how to stop.

💭 - This was a really brilliantly written dive into female friendships on the cusp of adulthood, moving through university and the following years together. Written in the second person, it’s really easy to feel connected to the characters, and there are relatable moments for anyone, whether it be the happy moments spent with a best friend, or the struggles with finding your own identity. I do think the structure could have been developed somewhat, but overall a really good read, and quite a quick one too 🥰

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I don't think I am the target audience for this book and the prose style is not my cup of tea. This is a book that fans of Sally Rooney will definitely enjoy, as it gave me those vibes. Unfortunately, that is not my case.