Book Review: One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller
When I first picked up One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller, I really didn’t know what to expect. As a trans woman who transitioned later in life, the idea of a high school trans athlete navigating the complexities of friendship, sports, and identity felt entirely foreign yet oddly appealing. Zeller’s narrative, set in the world of football—a sport I’ve never played or even fully understood—drew me in and captivated me in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
At the heart of the story is Grace Woodhouse, a trans girl who embarks on her senior year with a fresh identity and a reconciliatory heart. Just as she’s emerging as her true self, she’s pulled back into a sport she thought she would leave behind. The juxtaposition of being a girl in a hypermasculine world struck me deeply. Grace’s journey is more than just about football; it’s about belonging, self-acceptance, and love in all its complex forms. Throughout the book, I found myself musing over that delicate balance between authenticity and the inevitabilities of youth: breakups, friendships, and the pressures of impending adulthood.
What really stood out to me, though, was Zeller’s writing style. It balances perfectly on the line of simplicity and depth, never overwhelming the reader with excessive detail yet providing enough emotional weight to resonate. When Grace reflects, “If things had gone differently—very differently, the way I wish they had in retrospect—I might have been teammates with Riley,” I felt that familiar chill of longing for experiences that could have been. It’s that bittersweet nostalgia that weaves through the tapestry of transitions, reminding us that while we embrace who we are, there are often shadows of what might have been.
Zeller also handles microaggressions with such grace (pun intended). Grace’s ex accidentally dead-naming her, and her response of “It’s okay, even though I felt like I’d been punched in the throat,” is a perfect encapsulation of the emotional labor many trans individuals navigate. It showcases the nuances of interactions, even those born from goodwill, and reflects the broader experiences that are sometimes overlooked.
Of particular note is how Zeller captures the unremarkable yet profound acceptance that surrounds Grace. In a world rife with hostility towards trans individuals, it’s refreshing to see that many people can simply be… indifferent. This representation is essential, and Zeller shows that acceptance can exist within complexity, even where understanding is lacking.
Though the narrative isn’t without its quibbles—like the compressed timelines around the podcast protests or a more developed role for Grace’s father—these are minor in the grand tapestry of what One of the Boys achieves. The plot culminates in rich emotional resolutions, each character learning to decide what parts of their life serve them moving forward.
For anyone who enjoys coming-of-age tales that fuse identity exploration with the sports narrative, this book is a gem. It’s not just for trans readers—it offers a unique lens into the complexities of being young, discovering oneself, and the intricate dance of relationships. By the end, I found myself laughing and crying, reflecting on my journey and the countless possibilities life holds at that transitional stage.
One of the Boys isn’t just a story about football; it’s a profound exploration of duty, self-love, and societal understanding. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or someone simply looking for an engaging read, this book will resonate with you. It’s one of the best novels I’ve encountered this year, offering both laughter and tears, and I genuinely wish to see it brought to the screen someday.
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