Beautiful Monster

A Becoming

By: Miles Borrero

Narrated by: Miles Borrero

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A breathtaking, exquisitely crafted memoir about a trans person’s singular journey through breaching the boundaries of gender—across generations, cultures and borders—to become his truest, most authentic self.

Nearing the age of forty, with an entire life already lived as a woman—half in Colombia, half in the US—Miles Borrero comes face to face with his father’s impending death. Suddenly realizing that he has been stalling his transition for fear of losing his family’s love, this moment catalyzes Miles’s determination to be fully known as his father’s son before it is too late.

In Beautiful Monster, Miles chronicles his unusual childhood, by turns riveting and hilarious, in ’80s and ’90s Colombia during the Pablo Escobar years, as well as his move to Salt Lake City to pursue acting and the winding trajectory that eventually lands him in the New York City yoga scene.

Within these very different cultures, the realities of being queer and trans echo poignantly through the triumphs, heartbreaks, family dynamics, spiritual pursuits, and relationships that propel Miles along his path.

Sublimely nuanced and written in ravishing prose that is as unique and irresistible as its subject, Beautiful Monster is one person’s story of navigating the pressures to perform femininity while becoming a gender outlaw. Brimming with wonder, humor, and mythos, entertaining and enlightening

in equal measure, this book offers a compelling case for embracing one’s true nature.

©2023 Miles Borrero (P)2023 Recorded Books

Honest and tender

This is an amazing, beautifully written and spoken memoir. An honest and poetic telling of a person becoming their true authentic self - a tender person, open and self reflective and loving and kind…superb.

Truth, vulnerability and love

When a storyteller invites you into their world and let you sit beside them to learn about their triumphs and grievances, you are reminded of your own powerful humanity. Thank you Miles for your unaffected vulnerability and willingness to help us grow learn and always love.

Listen to Miles and *listen* to Miles

I usually read my books in the ink on dead trees format, but I heard Miles speak in an interview of how much he hoped we would listen to him narrating his own story. It's worth it, seamless job, and the singing and chanting were a highlight for me (especially since I still knew some of the chants).

If you are yourself, or even if you know any folks wrangling with a transition in their identity, I strongly recommend this read. It's one of the most honest reckonings of the harrowing path to self love and wholeness that I can imagine. Grade A human-ing!

Truth

So grateful to Miles for sharing his courageous journey to authenticity in a profoundly clear and meaningful way.

Beautiful, heartfelt, honest and healing.

I first read Beautiful Monster and was completely moved by Borrero's honesty and heart. I felt his growth and pain every step of the way. Then, I listened to it and I was blown away by the beauty of his narration, his inclusion of chants and songs, and accents, quirkiness, and humor. Borrero brings his book to life via the audio version, and, in my humble opinion, it is its own masterpiece. I believe this book has the power to help us connect to a soul's journey that at times feels out of reach, and is often misunderstood. Love leads this story of growth and healing and self-acceptance.

A book about embracing who you are.

The author/narrator takes you on a journey thru his life. It is very well written and helps you understand life thru someone else’s perspective. This book shows that even if you are related to someone you may not truly know them. Yes our parents and grandparents have their own lives and maybe they know more about what you are feeling or experiencing than you may realize. The courage that some people have is simply amazing. Very good read.

Everyone should read (or listen) to this book!

Over the past several months, I have been making a conscious effort to support the things my friends do. I know so many people who work hard to create good things (music, theatre, other arts, conventions...the list goes on) and those events need people to show up....so I try to show up!

So when a good friend started posting about a panel discussion featuring author Miles Borrero talking about his new memoir, I put in on my calendar and got myself over the event. It was great to meet Miles in person and learn more about the journey of writing this book. I hadn't read the book at that time, but still enjoyed the discussion...it was a nice 'preview' of what to expect in the book. One of the key takeaways form the panel presentation was that while Miles is a transgender man, this memoir was more than just a book about being transgender. Another takeaway was the discussion about the writing style. I was not aware of 'magical realism' as a writing style, but apparently it's fairly common and should be familiar to folks better read than me.

And speaking of magical realism as a writing style...this was such an easy read. I tend to read more Sci-Fi and Fantasy type stuff... give me time travel, or dragons, or the occasional murder/mystery thriller, and I will enter into the 'world' of the book and enjoy my time there! Miles is a fantastic story teller. I quickly felt 'at home' in the world of Beautiful Monster...easily crafting the visual settings and background in my mind as the story progressed. This is a credit to how well written this book is (as opposed to any particular creativity on my part).

One of the funniest scenes from the book: Young Miles and his First Communion. The juxtaposition of a young mind (2nd grade age) recognizing that the white frilly dress is not for them and the rationalization of how to get out of wearing one leading to the declaration of a major change of religion at the family dinner table made me laugh out loud. Adding in the dynamics of religious norms heavily influenced by culture makes this even funnier from my standpoint. I could emphasize with almost everyone in that conversation (and the resolution) on some level.

Other themes/moments that stood out for me: chosen family; saying goodbye to a dying parent; dealing with societal expectations on gender norms.

I don't really know how to express this, so forgive me if I don't do well here: WE CAN DO BETTER. I don't care where you stand on LGBTQ issues, you need to read this book. If this book does not touch your heart then I hope you find the courage to figure out why.

There is so much good in this book. I can't recommend it enough. Thank you Miles for sharing your story with us.

The authenticity and voracity with which the author narrated his story, made it hard not to listen all in one sitting.

This book was beautifully written, very poignant, and gave such insight into the author's journey and that of many trans people. While everyone's journey is unique, which the author emphasizes, his book underlines many of the overlapping similarities of the trans experience. It also reminds the reader that in the end, we're just people, unique in our own ways.

As the parent of a young trans person in the early stages of his journey, this book will help me to better understand how I can meet my son where he is now.

It's an excellent book for anyone interested in learning more about the trans experience, being an ally, or just the opportunity to explore one of the many interesting paths a life can take.

So beautifully written

The words Miles chooses to describe life, death, and everything in between are so poignant. His story is so specific, unique, and interesting, but within the story are themes that everyone experiences at the core of our being. If you love art that gives commentary on the human condition, please read this book and thank me later 🙂

Stunning listen

Miles has a fascinating and heartfelt story made all the more memorable being told in his own voice. Highly recommended. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it will touch your inner most heart and make you hug your people close.