Passing: An Alternative History of Identity

People have always fallen or deliberately stepped between the lines we have drawn to describe ourselves and each other, leading to a fascinating history of the self. Lipika Pelham's book "Passing" explores tales of fluidity and transformation, including her own, and questions our need for labels despite their limitations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

In the 1840s, a slave woman in America disguises herself as a white, disabled man to escape to freedom, while a black rights activist in the twenty-first century faces backlash for denying her whiteness. A Victorian explorer pretends to be a Muslim in the forbidden holy city of Arabia. In 1993, a trans man claiming to have been assigned male at birth is exposed and murdered by bigots. Today, Japanese untouchables leave home and change their names. These individuals have all "passed," performing or claiming identities that society has not assigned or recognized as their own. Throughout history, people have fallen or deliberately stepped between the lines we have drawn to describe ourselves and each other. What do their stories, both in life and in art, tell us about the evolving meanings of identity? About our seemingly insatiable need for labels, despite their obvious limitations? Lipika Pelham reflects on tales of fluidity and transformation, including her own. From Pope Joan to Parasite, Brazil to Bangladesh, London to Liberia, Passing is a captivating and timely history of the self.

In the 1840s, a slave woman in America disguises herself as a white, disabled man to escape to freedom, while a black rights activist in the twenty-first century faces backlash for denying her whiteness.

A Victorian explorer pretends to be a Muslim in the forbidden holy city of Arabia.

In 1993, a trans man claiming to have been assigned male at birth is exposed and murdered by bigots.

Today, Japanese untouchables leave home and change their names.

These individuals have all "passed," performing or claiming identities that society has not assigned or recognized as their own.

Throughout history, people have fallen or deliberately stepped between the lines we have drawn to describe ourselves and each other.

What do their stories, both in life and in art, tell us about the evolving meanings of identity? About our seemingly insatiable need for labels, despite their obvious limitations? Lipika Pelham reflects on tales of fluidity and transformation, including her own.

From Pope Joan to Parasite, Brazil to Bangladesh, London to Liberia, Passing is a captivating and timely history of the self.

Weight: 798g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787383814