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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is heartbreaking and incredibly necessary. It’s something readers need to be emotionally prepared for due to the religious trauma and homophobia in Valerie’s story. Valerie is scared, she is attempting to understand herself, while knowing that her thoughts and feelings are not allowed. Her duty is to ignore them, push them down, and listen to her father. Most of the character’s surrounding Valerie are not likeable, many even barely tolerable. But, that’s the reality of experiencing Valerie’s story.
Valerie has been raised in a very strict and religious environment, and due to also being homeschooled has very little access to people who exist outside of her own church. She has had to advocate for herself to be able to learn subjects in school beyond religious studies and devotionals. She has had to advocate to be able to read anything beyond the bible and school approved / provided texts. Valerie’s new challenge is exploring queer identity while staying under the radar of her parents, peers, church community, and even her brother. The cost of being discovered as queer and as actively learning and exploring, means risking her own safety.
Gay the Pray Away is a reminder that access to information and media is essential. Books especially can open doors. A kind person, representation, and access to communication can be life changing.
Content warnings
Religious trauma
Homophobia
Sexism
Racism
Emotional abuse and manipulation
Isolation
Mentions of:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Grooming
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Outing
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Love this “healing from religious trauma” queer subgenre we’ve been getting. I pray all queer kids are inspired to sneak one last stop out of the library for their queer awakening.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stars for the truths of finding your path outside of religion.
lighthearted
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“We’re never too old to grow and change.” What a beautiful story of being queer and unlearning and learning and living for yourself. Valerie grows up within a religious community that is more like a controlling cult than anything else, until she meets Riley. Riley shows her there is more to the world than what she has been taught. So hard not to sob through this book especially when there are so many queer people in the world who think they aren’t worthy of living bc of who they love. That is why pride is so important, for stories like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some minor issues but overall a great debut from a voice I recognize! So cool. You can do anything! This is my second time reading a book by someone formerly in a cult and I hope all the kids break out and find community and know it's never too late! You can do anything!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing
Moderate: Biphobia, Self harm
Minor: Incest, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Vomit, Gaslighting