A Queer Rec For Every Day Of 2018

Now, this is going to be a bit of a different review. Honestly, I feel like I could talk about this book for hours, but I want to take a moment to link to another review, first.

As a white reader and reviewer, I think it’s important to use this platform as a way to highlight the experts. Black women are going to be able to talk about the details of this alternate history novel and how it examines racism, slavery, and Black lives being treated as a commodity in a way that I can’t. And in reading the reviews of Black people reading Dread Nation, it’s made me want to reread the whole book again, because my understanding deepens with each review I read.  Alex Brown’s review (warning for general spoilers) is an excellent read, really looking at and comparing some of the things in the book - things that might, to a unknowing reader, feel unrealistically cruel - with real life equivalents. For real, after reading her review I might just pick up the book and read it again tonight.

This book follows Jane, who was sent to a school that is supposed to mold her into an Attendant - a Black girl who is hired by a white woman to protect her, both her virtue and her flesh from the undead who would like to feed on it.

I feel like to even go into the plot much is to spoil it, and since I’ve already linked the synopsis and Alex’s review, I’m just going to jump right in to how this book made me feel.

Y’all, this book is triumphant. I feel like I should say that. Yes, it does not sugarcoat when looking at the intense racism, colourism, and sexism of the time (echoes of which we still feel today - none of these things are things we have left behind). But there is so much hope and strength in this book as well. Was it hard to read at times? Yes, absolutely. Was it also hopeful, did it have me punching the air at times when Jane, the lead, emerges from something victorious? Yes, yes, yes it did.

I’ve been reading mostly queer books. I picked this one up because it was history and zombies. So when the Conversation happened, where Jane talks about being attracted to girls as well as boys, had me doing a doubletake. Especially with how straight forward it was. This wasn’t implication, this was on the page confirmation. Another excellent example of how you can make queerness explicit and on the page, even in worlds and times where the vocabulary we are used to doesn’t exist.

“Is this your way of telling me you fancy women?” Not that I mind. I’ve been distracted by a pretty face every now and again myself...

...My face heats. “Well, Merry was very pretty and she had that amazing right hook.” Merry was also a very good kisser, taught me everything I know, but Katherine doesn’t need to hear about that.

And also Katherine discussing her lack of interest in anyone, and how quick Jane is to say there’s nothing wrong with that.

“But I don’t feel that way about anyone, Jane. I never had and I’m not sure I ever will.” “Oh, well, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Just... such cool stuff to find, especially since I wasn’t expecting it. And that makes this story one about two queer Black girls and their relationship growing from frenemies into genuine friends and supporters of each other, which is incredible, because finding that, especially in a speculative fiction book, is basically unheard of.

Jane’s agency in terms of her sexuality in general is something I love in this story. She is very blunt when she comes across someone she finds attractive, and we meet a few boys she is attracted to, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that let a lady lead talk so honestly about being attracted to multiple people in a way that didn’t paint it as wrong or at the very least shallow. Jane is a badass female lead, she’s Black, and she is not desexualized or softened/made weaker by being interested in people.That’s really cool and refreshing to see, again made especially so by the fact that this is a historical setting and you could totally explain away if she wasn’t allowed to do this based on the setting.

Jane and Katherine are also allowed the space to be angry, which Black girls aren’t often allowed to do in media and in real life without really racist things being said about it. This is another topic I’d love to see written about by a Black woman, so I’m going to keep an eye out for any awesome reviews or articles talking about this and I’ll come back and edit this with some links when I do find some.

Also, can I just say... This is the only piece of fiction I’ve ever read by a non-Indigenous author that’s mentioned residential schools. The author goes so far as to include additional information and resources on the subject in her author’s note at the end of the book. That was... That was so cool to see. And can I just remind you that this is in a zombie book.  Like, everyone else? Do better. Damn.

It’s funny, because so many of the things people say ‘can’t be in historical stories’, because it would be ‘unrealistic’, are included in here. We have amazing Black women leads. We have a really interesting Native American character that I am so hoping we get to see more of in the sequel. This story takes so many people that are dismissed in genre fiction and creates such complex and diverse characters. Including a really rad disabled character (a scientist and potential love interest of Jane?), and a lady named Duchess and her girls, who are sex workers. In most books, these characters would be nameless, maybe used to colour in the background of the world the white leads walk through. But Dread Nation takes great care with all of its characters, especially the ones with identities often dismissed.

Seriously, if I see those kind of arguments, I’m gonna chuck this book at them.

The fact that this is all happening in what is technically a horror book is especially important, because horror as a genre is so often garbage. Mainstream horror so often relies on biases based in sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc. It’s notorious for this. But horror can be so damn good, when in the hands of marginalized folk. Look at Get Out, for another example. Horror in the hands of the downtrodden or ignored is such a powerful tool, and that is why I say I’m a fan of horror. Because of stuff like this.

On that note, it is a zombie book. There is definitely violence, and some horror elements. So if that’s something you’re sensitive to, be careful. If you want to read it, but fear of character deaths are what’s stopping you, you’re welcome to message me. Sometimes, you need something spoiled in order to enjoy it with less stress, and I do not judge.

Seriously. Go and get this book.

Reading Dread Nation? Let us know what you think! And if you’re looking for more great queer content, reminder that this is Day 10 of 365 queer reviews, one for each day of 2018.

(We’re very behind, but we’re doing our best)

The way identity is approached in Heartstopper is really lovely, too. It’s very real, and it has a character who realized he was gay quite young and a character who is just starting to question his identity as the story happens, with neither being treated as more valid than the other.

There’s some classic tropes in here, like the pretending to just be friends in public, the pushy ex (who is thoroughly warned for, the author puts warnings at the top of any update that has anything potentially triggering, including said Bad Dude), and even plays around with the Jock and Musician kind of dynamic. Notice how I said classic - nothing about them felt cliche, and I really am enjoying how each of them are playing out in the narrative. It really does feel Classic, which is so exciting, because queer stories so rarely get to be that. We deserve every kiss in the rain we can get, and Nick and Charlie deliver.

The whole comic really does feel like getting to watch a flower slowly bloom, which is why it makes so much sense that that’s an ongoing motif for the comic itself.

Oh! Shout out to Charlie’s friends - often, the already out kid doesn’t get to have friends, but he has some really good ones. We’re just getting to know some of them where the comic is right now, but I’m excited to see more. One of the characters just introduced is a trans girl, and there’s also a side character who’s a lesbian and she has a girlfriend!

The author also treats us to some awesome alternate universe oneshots, including a Harry Potter one. I felt positively spoiled.

If you’re a fan of soft boys falling in love, or you just need something to make you feel warm on the inside, give Heartstopper a try.

Note: The author does talk about how eventually this comic will deal with some pretty heavy stuff, but that no one will die and that Nick and Charlie are made for each other. You can find more info about what exactly the comic will cover on the comic’s FAQ page.

I’m gonna start by talking about the character design, which is also why I wanted to show off the first page on here. Look at those ladies! This is a diverse cast, not just in terms of identities but in terms of body shapes, builds, and backgrounds. This comic definitely goes for a light, uplifting take on the 1950s, but it doesn’t do that by ‘simplifying’ things (aka leaving out things that would maybe ‘complicate’ things). Each character is treated with respect, and although the characters are often larger than life it never comes across as being done in a stereotypical way. Really well done.

What I especially love about this comic is that it did what I often find myself afraid to do in my own stories. There’s a coming out moment, where a character decides to tell her friends she’s in love with a girl. This leads to everyone else in the room also coming out. There’s a few moments like this, and it’s so nice, because I often feel like ‘well, I can’t make everyone queer.’ But like... Why not? Rock and Riot does it, and it’s so lovely, I’m smiling just thinking about it. This is escapism, just like most 50s stories are (shared milkshakes and cool matching jackets, right?), but it’s escapism aimed at queer folk, which is so rare to find. And even the conflict is done in a way that is still bright and fun. I just love it.

The story follows the girl gang in the picture above, known as the Jaquettes, as well as a guy gang, the Rollers, and an entirely non-binary gang who call themselves the Bandits. The varied presentation that the Bandits all have made me so happy, as so often when there are nonbinary characters they all tend to fit the same mold. That is definitely not a problem with this gang.

“That’s great that you found your side. But my problem with your teams is that I don’t want to be viewed in either.” “Then we’ll respect that!” - Ace and Rolly, Episode Four: The New Kid

Also! There is some adorable romance, but there’s also some really nice discussion of sexuality and gender. Bisexuality and asexuality are both discussed, and done so in a way that felt really honest and validating, both as a reader but also validated by the other characters in the comic.

There’s a bit of cute fake-dating-to-seem-straight mishaps, some friendly gang rivalry, and a sleepover scene with the Jaquettes, made all the more wonderful by it including them inviting a former member of the Rollers over, and having her join the Jaquettes. It takes all those classic movie tropes and makes them very queer and adorable and awesome, and I can’t get over how much I enjoyed it.

If you’re feeling down at all, sit down and read this comic. It’ll help. It may also make you really want a cool jacket, a poodle skirt, and a date at a shake shop. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

With some anthologies, I am tempted to read them out of order, flipping around until something catches my eye. It is rare that I sit down and read one from front to back, but like the Major Arcana itself these anthology transitions expertly from one story to the next, each story building on the one that came before it. It was an experience, and a journey, which really speaks to how successful they were in keeping to their theme. I laughed, I cried, and I even caught myself repeating lines out loud just so I could hear them spoken.

It is very obvious that this project was put together when it was, because there is a defiance and a hopefulness in these pages. These characters face first meetings and the threat of a goodbye, they stare down evil and their own anxieties. And to watch these characters overcome, find their own versions of a triumph, is so powerful.

“Maybe it’s nice to imagine that things can be different... But they’re not really. But I think it’s okay to feel a bit helpless... Because I’m not alone, and never will be. You’re still the same... No matter what, I love you.”

- from XII The Hanged One, by Alain Helmers

You don’t have to understand Tarot to enjoy the symbolism of each story. At the beginning of each story you’re given a few lines of what the card means, and each story is capped by a beautiful tarot card featuring the characters of the story, in full colour.

Have I mentioned yet just how beautiful this book is? Not just the stories, but the whole book. So well done.

If I start trying to go in detail about each story, this will get ridiculously long, so I’ll just give you a bit of a taste from each. A coffee shop meetcute between two different kinds of artists. A dreamt connection turned tangible. An empath and their potion-making partner falling in love. A coming-of-age journey. A knight and their charge. Two lovers remembering together. A chariot racer and his carpenter. Two art thieves and a scandal. A light being restored. A ghost arcade and a new friend. A big move. A change in perspective. A necromancer and a transformation. Two rival gang members working together. Rio De Janeiro, 1927. “Fear holds no power over me for I am at peace and I am loved.” A scientist in space realizing there is always something more to discover. Magic and realizations in the rain. The winter solstice. Music and a burning conversation. And to finish off the collection, a merman shows a newcomer a new world.

Anthologies are often tricky, because there are always stories we like more or less and ones we wish were longer and ones we could have done without. I’ve never read an anthology that was this cohesive, where each story really did feel like part of a bigger whole that was the path this collection was leading us down.

It was the perfect thing to read at one am after a few days of feeling directionless. If you like comics, short stories, tarot, or if any of the little snippets above grabbed your attention, I highly recommend you get your hands on this anthology and give it a read.

- from XIV Temperance, by Lin and Capp