The Life of a Child That Should Have Been a Boy or a Girl

About the Book

The Life of a Child That Should Have Been a Boy or a Girl shares the compelling and often heartbreaking true story of Manouska, a child born with both male and female characteristics.

In an honest, compassionate style, Verrilien Clerve narrates the life experiences of the Peacocks, a typical family living in San Marco, when their lives are changed forever with the birth of their first child. Not knowing what it means to be a hermaphrodite, the parents accept the newborn and name the child Manouska, but they are unsure whether to dress him/her in girls’ or boys’ clothing. Despite the questions, threats, and discrimination presented by neighbors, friends, and other families as Manouska grows up, the Peacocks attempt to live a normal life in a society unfamiliar with transgender issues. Clerve reveals the challenges, doubts, fears, and perplexities faced by Manouska’s family as they experience a unique medical diagnosis and the resulting social issues and, in the process, highlight the difficulties hermaphrodites, transgender individuals, and homosexuals are frequently forced to deal with on a daily basis.

Manouska’s moving story offers many unforgettable life lessons—the most important being to always respect, love, and accept others, despite their differences and preferences.

About the Author

Verrilien Clerve attended Florida A&M University to become a writer. While there he received a MA in nursing and currently works as a health care provider in Vacaville, California. This is his fourth book.