Some Body To Love: A Family Story

Alexandra Heminsley

Chatto & Windus, £14.99

Heartbreak and happiness sit in tandem in Alexandra Heminsley’s wise and generous book, recounting turbulent years that caused her “emotional whiplash” as her husband transitioned into a woman.

In her previous books, Running Like A Girl and Leap In,

Alexandra, a reluctant exerciser, embraced the challenges of marathon running and openwater swimming, recounting her reconnection with her body in all its sweaty, messy glory.

The books also described unhappy relationships, followed by the wonder of finding partner D who was everything she could wish for. However, she then underwent gruelling rounds of invasive IVF before finally giving birth to baby L.

Some Body To Love takes up her story: “Today I sat on a bench facing the sea... and sobbed my heart out. I don’t know if I will ever recover.”

Alexandra’s husband, D, had admitted a truth that was irreconcilable with their marriage – he was going to transition and, even though they loved each other, they had to part.

The book seethes with unruly jolts of emotion that leave Alexandra reeling, her head overwhelmed, her heart hurting.

All sense of security hurtles away as her marriage implodes and her body, unrecognisable to her after IVF, seems incapable of physical recovery.

But there is overwhelming joy too as baby L is healthy and happy. As Alex slowly reconciles herself to the loss of a husband, she recognises that the three of them will still be a family and that, despite the trauma, she is once again happy in her own skin.