Pidgeon Pagonis’ memoir, “Nobody Needs to Know,” explores their intimate and traumatic journey of growing up as an intersex person. In addition to sharing their memories from childhood, Pagonis also explains intersex activism and their role in the fight to end unnecessary surgeries on intersex children.
Pagonis covers these very difficult subjects in a very distinct, informal writing style as if they were talking to a close friend. This approach makes complex themes like intersexuality and social injustice very digestible and easy to understand. They limit academic or clinical jargon and instead tell personal anecdotes which turn this memoir into a compelling narrative that is accessible to anyone curious about what it is like to be intersex.
For people who understand very little about intersexuality, Pagonis did an excellent job sharing their experiences and struggles as well as explaining why it is so important for intersex people to retain bodily autonomy. The memoir brings to light the impact that medical decisions made without genuine informed consent can have on someone’s life and identity.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about intersex people’s experiences or about intersex activism.
Rating: 7/10
