Diagnosed with “Gender Identity Disorder” at the age of fifteen, Daphne’s life takes a turn when her father commits her to a mental institution. Even though her need to act out is clearly fueled by absent and abusive parents, everyone seems to be hung up on the less traditionally feminine elements of her appearance. So begins The Last Time I Wore A Dress, a title that essentially speaks for itself.

This narrative is interwoven between Daphne’s personal recollections and the medical assessments recorded during her periods of hospitalization. If anything, this juxtaposition paints an unsettling picture of the state of the mental health profession during the 1980s. At times this makes for a really compelling read, and at others a really difficult one as a detached system royally fails this teenage girl who just wants to wear band t-shirts and jeans.

A very quick read, the novel does feel a bit unfinished. Given the extremities of Daphne’s life, I wanted to know more about her later resolutions or lack thereof. That said, it’s a solid read, if chilling.

Rating: 3.5 stars