I Write the System by Jymi Cliche

Boston, Massachusetts

This book has content warnings for sexual violence, physical violence, substance abuse, and suicide. They are mentioned but not discussed in detail in this review.

Full disclosure: The author of this book is my cousin. I’m insanely proud of him and amazed by his accomplishments. I may be a little biased, but who gives a shit. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

This book is the detailed memoir of Jymi Cliche’s childhood being raised female in a middle class, predominantly white town in suburban Massachusetts. Jymi was born intersex, but his parents operated on him at birth to conform to the gender they chose for him (female). He did not learn about his intersex condition until 2001, at the age of 23. He is now a successful artist, rapper, and openly-queer, non-binary, trans man.

Jymi went through a horrifying amount of trauma in his young life from constant bullying, parents that didn’t understand, substance abuse, and physical and sexual abuse. Jymi “writes the system to fight the system so he may right the system.” I’m sure he holds some personal grudges, but this does not come across in the book. The book is written so that folks within and outside of “the system” can hear what he went through and try to change it. Although the subject matter is dark and difficult to read, the overall tone is positive and meant to inspire people and connect with them.

I think most people can connect with a portion of Jymi’s story. I am so thankful for Jymi and authors like him that are willing to be so open and honest about their stories and their struggles. It makes people like me feel less alone.

I read Jymi’s first book, The Godchild Pt. 1 in 2020. That book was similar but focused more specifically on a string of strange events that have happened during his time through “the system.” I found this book to be much easier to follow. But I look forward to reading the Godchild series again, as Jymi is planning on re-releasing it after some edits.

I did not have the same level of trauma as Jymi, but I’ve struggled with my mental health through most of my life. Substance abuse and mental illness are prevalent in our family. Like Jymi, I went through puberty at a young age. I was treated like an adult from a very early age. I never felt like I had room to make mistakes. And when I did, it broke me. I’m still picking up the pieces from my late-2019 suicide attempt, but books like this help.

I loved the last line in the Epilogue: “Thank you for being you. That’s where it all begins.” So that is where I will end my review.

Review by the Numbers

Overall: 5/5

Writing: 4/5

Message: 5/5

Plot: n/a

Character Development: n/a

Challenges Satisfied:

- Massachusetts (Reading My Way Around the World Challenge)

- A Book About Gender Identity (2022 PopSugar Reading Challenge)

- A Book From an Indie Author (2022 Fully Booked Reading Challenge)