The story follows Sean Hastings, a detective who handles what the authors describe as "bizarre, inter-trans community drama." His latest case involves the search for a missing person named Character, a journey that leads him to a digital cult, the 'First Trans Commune in Sim World'. This virtual space is run by an influencer named Kevin, who preaches a doctrine of 'Releasing' trauma.
In a recent interview, the authors explained their choice to use a genre format. "We wanted to do something genre-y and plotty, because most trans literature then was memoir, and we wanted to see something really ridiculous instead," said Maz Murray. The decision was a conscious move to explore trans themes outside the framework of autobiography, which often dominates publishing. "I dislike that all trans writing, regardless of genre, is interpreted as auto-fiction," added Charlie Markbreiter.
A Portrait of the Present
While the novel employs elements of pulp mystery, its themes are firmly rooted in the present. The authors began writing in 2020, a period they see as a turning point. The book reflects on the shift from the 2010s, which Markbreiter characterises as a time of "optimisation culture"—the idea that personal and professional success is achievable through constant self-monitoring and improvement, from protein powders to productivity apps.
This, they argue, has synthesized with the more hostile political climate of the 2020s. "Maz once described our book as a portrait of the Biden era, which I thought was so smart," Markbreiter noted. "Because 2010s optimisation wasn’t actually fully replaced by 2020s eugenics; they just synthesized into an even more personal and impersonal horror."
This tension is mirrored in the novel's depiction of online spaces. The 'First Trans Commune' at first appears to be a digital utopia, a therapeutic tool for its members. However, it is soon revealed to be more complex, a place where the protagonist Character becomes increasingly isolated, trapping himself in a virtual recreation of his childhood.
Read the full interview at Dazed
