The Road to My Daughter

Elisabeth Spencer's daughter Milly came out as trans at the age of twenty-one. Just a few days later, in one of life's perfect storms, Spencer's husband was diagnosed with an advanced terminal illness - and so she was set on course to confront rebirth in the face of death. In this compelling and poignant memoir, Spencer recalls her emotional journey over the course of her daughter's life, as she struggles first with the mystery of Milly's constant unhappiness, then with the revelation of her coming out, through a sense of bereavement, bewilderment and guilt, culminating in her determination to help her child become her true self. Written with remarkable warmth, generosity and honesty, The Road to My Daughter is both a deeply moving meditation on motherhood and a nuanced and compassionate reflection on trans issues, illuminating not only how it feels to witness the physical and mental processes of transitioning, and the realities behind embarking on this journey together, but also what it means to be a parent.

Elisabeth Spencer is a musician and writer. She has performed in opera, ballet and symphony orchestras, and gives masterclasses around the world. Until now, her writing has been largely linked to her musical life, in the form of articles, reviews, and introductions to editions. The Road to My Daughter is her first book. Elisabeth lives in Oxfordshire.