In Flor de invierno: Confesiones de una mujer trans (2023), Raven Victoria Perich Minguillón offers readers more than just a memoir, she offers a lighthouse. Her words guide those navigating the stormy seas of gender identity, societal expectations, and personal truth. This book is a vivid, raw, and deeply personal journey of a woman who, against all odds, found the courage to bloom in winter, when everything around her seemed cold and hostile.
Raven opens with a jarring yet truthful observation: “Some people believe that transgenderism is a choice. As if one morning you woke up and decided you weren't who everyone thought you were, but someone else.” In these words lies the first crack in the societal illusion that gender identity is something whimsical or voluntary. She reminds us that it's not about becoming someone else, but finally realizing who you have always been. That realization, often delayed by fear and silence, can shatter your world before rebuilding it anew.
The titular "winter flower" grows in defiance of its conditions, blooming despite the cold. It is a powerful symbol of trans resilience.
But Flor de invierno is not a solitary tale. Raven writes not just for herself, but for every person who has ever been forced to wear a mask to survive. She states, "The story of my journey can help you understand, not just me, but anyone who has decided to take off their mask and reveal themselves." Her confessions are acts of bravery and solidarity, extending a hand to those still trapped in the shadows.
For Raven, they are essential reminders, ever-present emblems that challenge hate and intolerance. They remind those who hate that they are the true minority. More importantly, they remind the trans community of its strength, beauty, and right to exist. A trans flag in a window, a pride sticker on a laptop, a tattoo of a blooming flower, these are not small things. They are acts of resistance and validation.
Perhaps one of the most profound truths Raven shares is this: "The only goal in life is to live it as you want." This simple yet radical statement affirms every person’s right to autonomy and authenticity. But it comes with a responsibility, not to trample on others as we assert ourselves. Freedom, she reminds us, is collective. We cannot demand to live freely while denying others the same dignity.
Flor de invierno is not a tale of victimhood, but of victory. It’s about the quiet strength it takes to endure, and the explosive power of finally being seen. Raven Victoria Perich Minguillón does not ask the reader for pity. She offers understanding, clarity, and perhaps above all, hope.
This book belongs on every shelf, personal, academic, political. It is a deeply necessary contribution to the growing canon of trans literature. For those seeking to understand what it truly means to live authentically, Flor de invierno is not just a book, it’s a mirror, a protest, and a blooming flower in the snow.
Do you dare to embark on her ship? As Raven asks, the answer could change not just how you see others, but how you see yourself.
Available via Amazon
Photo via Instagram.
Post a Comment