Super Short Summary

Redefining Realness by Janet Mock is a 2014 memoir chronicling Mock's journey from a misunderstood and unhappy child in a multicultural, economically disadvantaged family to a fiercely independent and self-motivated young adult navigating her identity as a trans woman. Growing up in the 1990s, Mock begins her transition during high school and later travels to Thailand for sex reassignment surgery at eighteen. After moving to New York, she finds academic and professional success but initially keeps her past a secret. The memoir explores Mock's internal and external struggles, including her family dynamics and societal challenges, ultimately highlighting her advocacy and personal growth. The book includes sensitive topics such as violence, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and suicide attempts.