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A review by simonlorden
Hey, Mary by Andrew Wheeler
5.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Okay, this graphic novel pulled me in. I'm not Catholic or religious myself, so your mileage may vary. This book is about a Catholic boy's self-discovery journey, who finds comfort and community in his church, but also realizes he's gay, and has trouble reconciling those two facts.
The graphic novel leads us through the discovery featuring Catholic saints and people from the Bible who defied gender norms or had devoted love with members of their own sex, while also being devoutly religious. It tells us that the Bible can have several interpretations, and if the interpretation you choose teaches you to hate, that tells you more about yourself than about God and Jesus. It also features present-time queer people, including a nonbinary drag performer who struggles with their own relationship to church and their late mother.
It is also very catchy and approachable to a modern audience, although it's been a while since I was a teenager. The colors are beautiful, the people really look like people - I'm in love with Mark's freckles on his arms in particular, such a lovely detail.
Okay, this graphic novel pulled me in. I'm not Catholic or religious myself, so your mileage may vary. This book is about a Catholic boy's self-discovery journey, who finds comfort and community in his church, but also realizes he's gay, and has trouble reconciling those two facts.
The graphic novel leads us through the discovery featuring Catholic saints and people from the Bible who defied gender norms or had devoted love with members of their own sex, while also being devoutly religious. It tells us that the Bible can have several interpretations, and if the interpretation you choose teaches you to hate, that tells you more about yourself than about God and Jesus. It also features present-time queer people, including a nonbinary drag performer who struggles with their own relationship to church and their late mother.
It is also very catchy and approachable to a modern audience, although it's been a while since I was a teenager. The colors are beautiful, the people really look like people - I'm in love with Mark's freckles on his arms in particular, such a lovely detail.