Customer Reviews

Colonel Barker's Monstrous Regiment: A Tale of Female Husbandry

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I had never heard of Col. Barker until I stumbled across this book at a sale. I was fascinated -- since I literally couldn't put it down, I read it in a day -- and deeply moved. I admired the skill with which Collis interwove her various stories and times; the "subplots" added resonance to the main tale. At the same time, however, I was slightly uncomfortable with the cumulative image created by the stories of the other 'man-women': they had all, or almost all, committed crimes, from petty theft to murder. Collis, I'm sure, never intended to imply a link between criminal behavior and alternative gender behavior. I assume that the majority of 'man-women' lived and died undetected, or at least without mass notoriety. Presumably, the only ones who were publicly exposed were the ones who came under the scrutiny of the authorities, hence the prevalence of criminals in Collis's book. I wish she had addressed that issue at some point. Also, there are times when she implies injustice to a criminal 'man-woman' without much apparent foundation. I am thinking in particular of the case of Margaret Bill Allen, who murdered a neighbor in "one of her moods." Western justice has certainly changed in the 50 or so years since Allen was executed; there would be a slew of medical and other factors to consider in his/her case today. Nevertheless, there does not seem to be compelling evidence, as far as Collis tells us, to support the implication that Bill's gender was a major issue in the case. A brutal, unmotivated murder and attempt to cover it up seems to have been what the authorities took exception to. These are quibbles, though, with what was an exceptional account of a gripping and saddening story.

A well researched, factual novel, found by chance in a bookstore in Yarragon. Whilst I was aware of the cases of "man-woman" phenomenon around the world, I had not heard of Colonel Victor Barker before. The pain and humiliation he/she has had to suffer has been momentous, and the dedication shown to his/her son made me cry.

Rose Collis makes an excellent point in her thanks at the end of her book, being that non-fiction writers are often overlooked for grants. These writers are neglected when they should be applauded and assisted and I for one agree heartily with her views!