I Want to Be a Woman

"To be born one way, but to feel another - is it a sin, a sickness, or simply the soul's scream for freedom?"
Aidar was born a boy in a quiet Kazakh village. From early childhood, he sensed a difference he couldn't name - a girl trapped inside a body that wasn't hers. As he grows into Ayra, she must navigate a world built to suppress, silence, and shame anyone who dares to deviate.
Torn between tradition and truth, Ayra confronts her family's denial, society's cruelty, and the agonizing loneliness of being misunderstood. Yet even amidst heartbreak, surgery, and spiritual collapse, she seeks one thing: the right to exist as herself.
Set against the backdrop of a conservative Central Asian culture, I Want to Be a Woman is a haunting psychological and social novel that unflinchingly explores gender identity, generational trauma, and the fragility of human acceptance.
With lyrical prose and fearless honesty, Sundet Seitov gives voice to those unheard - and asks: What does it truly mean to be a woman? Or more importantly, to be free?

Sundet Seitov – Poet and Writer
Sundet Seitov is a prominent voice among the new generation of Kazakh literary figures, known for his heartfelt poetry and socially conscious prose. He was born on October 3, 1998, in Shynaz district of Tashkent region, Uzbekistan. A graduate of the Central Asian Innovative University with a degree in philology, Seitov is a member of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan.
His debut poetry collection, "Umytpas" ("Never Forget"), introduced him as a lyrical and emotionally honest poet. In 2025, his novel "Drone Show" was published in the United States, marking a significant milestone in his career as a novelist. The book reflects his bold engagement with themes of truth, loss, and state injustice in contemporary Kazakh society.
Seitov is the eldest child in his family. He lost his mother to a terminal illness in 2019 and currently lives with his father and younger brother. He works at the A. Pushkin City Universal Library in Shymkent. Previously, he was active in journalism and publishing, working as an editor.
He is a laureate of several national and international literary competitions and a two-time recipient of the "Poet of the Year" award presented by the city of Shymkent.
Seitov's work resonates with readers for its poetic depth, emotional clarity, and moral courage — offering a voice for a generation searching for truth in the shadows of silence.