Missed Her Paperback – August 31, 2010

My unreserved recommendation of _Missed Her_ to anyone who reads is so much a given it almost feels distracting to point it out amidst the desire to somehow convey in words the splendor I experienced among its pages. More than in most instances I've ever observed, this collection exemplifies the capacity to capture moments and preserve them in the pristine purity of seamless prose.That prose either takes what may seem ordinary moments and infuses them with exquisiteness or perhaps just outlines the exquisiteness inherent in every moment so we recognize it ourselves. Whichever it is--and maybe it is both--Ivan Coyote does it in a subtle, almost mysterious way, so that I feel it the whole time I'm reading but, looking back, do not know exactly what the author did to make it that way.The book's format lends itself to fast, satisfying bursts if that is how one wants to read it; each short is only a few pages long. Each of them is also self-contained, so skipping around is not an issue. I myself found this form lent itself to quick reading, though I also often felt so captivated that I kept reading even if I had only planned to read one or two stories in a sitting.The moment I finished it, I could tell _Missed Her_ was the kind of book I won't get all there is to get out of without reading more than once. I don't know if I have ever experienced that awareness more upon finishing a book. In this collection, there are the words, and then there is the sense, that which is above and below and between the words, like a presence of its own that gathers and makes this book not just a book but a part of the reader--as existent and penetrative and ever-changing as energy itself.I've often recommended books, but in this case I implore: please, read this. I would not do so were it not difficult for me to imagine anyone's experiencing life in a somehow lesser way for doing so. I suspect it far more likely that, as for me, the contrary will be the case.

As a straight activist in the GLBT community, I am always trying to gain insight into tho thought processes and life experiences of my friends in the community. This is a wonderful presentation of a multitude of short segments - probably from Ivan's columns - about life and relationships by an estrogen-based organism that self-identifies as a butch lesbian. The stories may be her/hir personal experiences or those of her/hir friends, relatives, and acquaintances. All are vignettes about interactions between interesting people.These articles reflect Ivan Coyote's sense of humor while presenting a different view of gender variance. Her/Hir description of her/hir deeply emotional reaction when forced by her/hir mother to try on a dress for a wedding when she was eight years old exemplifies how wrenching social pressures can be to a young gender variant child.Highly recommended, especially for those trying to relate to gender variant individuals.

I was drawn to buy Missed Her after hearing Coyote's performances of "Butch Roadmap" and "The Femme Piece" (retitled "Hats Off" in Missed Her). Coyote on stage is warm, clever, unique, and personable, a joy to watch - and their writing is the same. Ivan Coyote's work reminds me of A Prairie Home Companion of LGBTQ culture, with Coyote acting as a sort of queer Garrison Keillor.Missed Her - and Coyote's other work - is sharp, funny, and always openhearted, the views of someone who "refuses to get into the gender box and close the lid."

After reading every book Ivan Coyote has published, I have to say that this was another great collection of short stories. Coyote is a story teller in the truest sense and her stories are always brilliantly formed and entertaining. If you are familiar with and love Coyote's other collections of short stories, this one won't disappoint. Some of these stories will be familiar to regular readers of Coyote's column in Xtra but they have been reworked in many cases so it doesn't seem repetitive, but polished. I enjoyed this collection and recommend the book.

Sometimes you watch an author read their work and its magical, then when you attempt to recapture that magic and pick up one of their books, you're heartbroken to discover their emotion and voice doesn't translate onto the page. That isn't the case with Ivan Coyote. His words carry the laughter, hesitance, and frustrations of his travels. You would be sorely remiss to not pick up this book.

Beautiful and inspirational writing. Challenges thoughts surrounding gender and identity. Not only was it a book I couldn't put down due to the captivating stories and imagery, it also helped me discover more about myself.

Ii really enjoyed this book. It gave me a peek into a perspective that I don't normally think about. Also, it was beautifully written.

The book is written in the same warm, loving and down-to-earth manner that is ultimately Ivan. There is a sense of family values, strong strive for identity, but also the story is written in a very laid back and young, playful tone. Absolutely love this book!

Love love love Ivan E. Coyote, such a talented storyteller! I treasure Ivan's books.

Mittlerweile bin ich ein echter Fan von Ivan E. Coyote geworden. Ich mag ihren Umgang mit der Sprache und die kleinen Pointen in ihren Geschichten. Was mir besonders gefällt ist, dass ihre Stories von einem liebevollen und staunenden Blick auf ihre Mitmenschen geprägt sind. Geschichten mit Tiefgang, die dennoch nicht schwermütig sind!

Ich muss gleich sagen, ich bin noch nicht ganz durch mit dem Buch, aber ich bin jetzt schon total begeistert.Die Geschichten sind unheimlich Gut zusammengestellt und geben einem viel Stoff zum Nachdenken, Schmunzeln aber auch das ein oder andere Tränchen darf verdrückt werden...

A Canadian treasure.