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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
SO.... this book.... this was a different take on how the church/ teen combos go. When you have teens that dont wish to conform or others that conform too much. This book shows what happens when the pot get stirred up and true colors can be shown. Where forgiveness is not divine but is found. I recommend this for teens and well anyone who really wants to try something different.
* Amazon Best Book of the Month August 2018 * New York Public Library Best Books 2018 *
Put an atheist in a strict Catholic school? Expect comedy, chaos, and an Inquisition. The Breakfast Club meets Saved! in debut author Katie Henry’s hilarious novel about a band of misfits who set out to challenge their school, one nun at a time. Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Robyn Schneider.
When Michael walks through the doors of Catholic school, things can’t get much worse. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow atheist at that. Only this girl, Lucy, isn’t just Catholic . . . she wants to be a priest.
Lucy introduces Michael to other St. Clare’s outcasts, and he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, where he can be an atheist, Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants, and Eden can practice paganism.
Michael encourages the Heretics to go from secret society to rebels intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies one stunt at a time. But when Michael takes one mission too far—putting the other Heretics at risk—he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom or rely on faith, whatever that means, in God, his friends, or himself.
As an atheist and someone who really doesn’t like religion, I thought this would be a cute, fun read—I was right. Another bookworm who is the same recommended this book to me. It’s hard to fit in to a world where everything about you is seen as wrong. I felt for Michael, and I would’ve done the same things he did, except probably worse
One of the best books I've read in a long time. So smart, so interesting, great discourse, amazing dialogue. The characters were all wonderfully complex and three dimensional, even the smallest of characters. A fantastic and compassionate look at religion and a large breadth of religions and a deep dive into belief systems. One of the most illumination books I've read.
This book has big parable energy. The only character who feels real is Michael, and he’s excellent - shitty, funny, angry, complicated, hopeful. But he’s not enough to take this from a simple (albeit good) life lesson to a great story. But I did enjoy a lot of the insights and the writing. I’d say it’s a solid 3.5.
“I’ve never been this close to the altar before, and I’ve never been this close to the giant, bleeding Jesus-on-the-cross hanging on the back wall. There are gashes all over his body - on his torso, legs, arms. Blood trickles down from his crown of thorns and a cut on his side that trails from rib to pelvic bone. It’s awful, up close. I can’t believe people worship this, put a bloody, emaciated torture victim next to their stained glass and call it beauty. Pain isn’t beautiful. Suffering isn’t pretty. But maybe that’s the point.”
“‘I did get in trouble, you know,’ I say. She looks doubtful. ‘My dad took my phone.’
‘You poor baby,’ she deadpans. ‘Someone should alert The Hague.’
‘I don’t know what that is.’
‘Then you clearly haven’t done this week’s history homework.’
Amazing. Even when she’s ready to excommunicate me from her life, Lucy still finds a way to guilt me about school.”
“I’ve never been this close to the altar before, and I’ve never been this close to the giant, bleeding Jesus-on-the-cross hanging on the back wall. There are gashes all over his body - on his torso, legs, arms. Blood trickles down from his crown of thorns and a cut on his side that trails from rib to pelvic bone. It’s awful, up close. I can’t believe people worship this, put a bloody, emaciated torture victim next to their stained glass and call it beauty. Pain isn’t beautiful. Suffering isn’t pretty. But maybe that’s the point.”
“‘I did get in trouble, you know,’ I say. She looks doubtful. ‘My dad took my phone.’
‘You poor baby,’ she deadpans. ‘Someone should alert The Hague.’
‘I don’t know what that is.’
‘Then you clearly haven’t done this week’s history homework.’
Amazing. Even when she’s ready to excommunicate me from her life, Lucy still finds a way to guilt me about school.”
Another from a summer YA list I read. Definitely enjoyed.
3 Stars
I want to start this review with a bit of a disclaimer. Though I wasn’t sent to Catholic school, I was raised in a very religious environment. I was homeschooled, meaning most of my education and activities growing up revolved around church. I have experienced first hand growing up queer and non-religious in a church environment. Because of this, this book felt very personal for me, and I’m incapable of remaining fully impartial. There’s a lot others loved about this book that didn’t work for me, but I’m not saying I believe it’s a bad book.
This story starts with Michael, a self-proclaimed atheist whose parents have just enrolled him in Catholic school. Along the way he befriends Lucy, a Catholic feminist, Jewish Avi, and Wiccan Eden. This is the first YA book I’ve encountered that directly grapples with religion. I loved that Michael’s friend-group was diverse and supported each other despite their disagreements. This is also the first book I’ve read that actually uses the word atheist.
I loved that this book wasn’t afraid to showcase the dark-side of institutionalized religion. Michael’s school is filled with sex-shaming propaganda, subtle homophobia and antiquated gender roles. This never seemed over-the-top and instead was handled with sensitivity and at times felt hyper-realistic. But this is not a conversion book. In the same way Michael isn’t pressured to ‘find God’ the book does not try to insist that religion is inherently bad. These harmful behaviors are challenged by many characters and it is strongly indicated that being religious is not what determines your morality—good OR bad.
So while this is a big, important discussion, the rest of the book operates under the pretense that “church” and “community” are synonyms. A church can be community but you do not need church to have a community. And while a church is a community for some, it can be very isolating for others.
If an organization and its people are consistently belittling and marginalizing you and your friends you are not obligated to stay.
This conversation occurs after Avi (who is gay) learns a teacher was fired simply for her same-sex marriage. Avi is understandably upset that his friend, Lucy, continues to support an institution that is blatantly homophobic. This argument sort of fizzles out and the overall theme is that everyone needs to be tolerant of each other. Tolerance shouldn’t include being complacent in your friends marginalization.
I’ve had a really hard time articulating why this book didn’t work for me, and I think I just personally disagree with part of the ending. I don’t agree that being tolerant of different religions means accepting the injustices of organized religion. The narrative states many times that being religious doesn’t mean someone has to be homophobic or sexist, and holds out hope that the younger generations will change these churches and practices that are. I don’t agree that being part of a community means sometimes accepting practices that are harmful.
In Conclusion:
Maybe it’s me. Maybe my experiences have impacted what I took away from this book. I have several friends who really seemed to enjoy it and have vastly different perceptions than me. *insert shrugging GIF here*
—————
Buddy-read with Ad Rocks Socks
(Who is being super kind for putting up with me taking 80 years)
”I didn’t lose my faith or anything, I just never had it in the first place. I never believed in any kind of God.”
I want to start this review with a bit of a disclaimer. Though I wasn’t sent to Catholic school, I was raised in a very religious environment. I was homeschooled, meaning most of my education and activities growing up revolved around church. I have experienced first hand growing up queer and non-religious in a church environment. Because of this, this book felt very personal for me, and I’m incapable of remaining fully impartial. There’s a lot others loved about this book that didn’t work for me, but I’m not saying I believe it’s a bad book.
This story starts with Michael, a self-proclaimed atheist whose parents have just enrolled him in Catholic school. Along the way he befriends Lucy, a Catholic feminist, Jewish Avi, and Wiccan Eden. This is the first YA book I’ve encountered that directly grapples with religion. I loved that Michael’s friend-group was diverse and supported each other despite their disagreements. This is also the first book I’ve read that actually uses the word atheist.
I loved that this book wasn’t afraid to showcase the dark-side of institutionalized religion. Michael’s school is filled with sex-shaming propaganda, subtle homophobia and antiquated gender roles. This never seemed over-the-top and instead was handled with sensitivity and at times felt hyper-realistic. But this is not a conversion book. In the same way Michael isn’t pressured to ‘find God’ the book does not try to insist that religion is inherently bad. These harmful behaviors are challenged by many characters and it is strongly indicated that being religious is not what determines your morality—good OR bad.
So while this is a big, important discussion, the rest of the book operates under the pretense that “church” and “community” are synonyms. A church can be community but you do not need church to have a community. And while a church is a community for some, it can be very isolating for others.
“Why?” Eden asks. “It hurts people you care about. It hurts you. Why can’t you leave?”
“Because it’s my home!” Lucy bursts out. “And it’s a mess. I know it’s a mess. But it’s my home, and I’m going to stay, I have to stay, and make it better.”
If an organization and its people are consistently belittling and marginalizing you and your friends you are not obligated to stay.
“What happened to Ms. Simon isn’t my fault.”
“If you put money in the collection plate, you’re supporting them. You’re literally financially supporting what they do.”
This conversation occurs after Avi (who is gay) learns a teacher was fired simply for her same-sex marriage. Avi is understandably upset that his friend, Lucy, continues to support an institution that is blatantly homophobic. This argument sort of fizzles out and the overall theme is that everyone needs to be tolerant of each other. Tolerance shouldn’t include being complacent in your friends marginalization.
“There will always be people you have to listen to,” Dad says. “There will always be rules you think are wrong or unfair, and you know what? Too bad. You’ll have to learn to make better choices.”
I’ve had a really hard time articulating why this book didn’t work for me, and I think I just personally disagree with part of the ending. I don’t agree that being tolerant of different religions means accepting the injustices of organized religion. The narrative states many times that being religious doesn’t mean someone has to be homophobic or sexist, and holds out hope that the younger generations will change these churches and practices that are. I don’t agree that being part of a community means sometimes accepting practices that are harmful.
In Conclusion:
Maybe it’s me. Maybe my experiences have impacted what I took away from this book. I have several friends who really seemed to enjoy it and have vastly different perceptions than me. *insert shrugging GIF here*
—————
Buddy-read with Ad Rocks Socks
(Who is being super kind for putting up with me taking 80 years)
The best YA books contain truths recognizable not only to teens but also to adults who can remember what it was like to be in high school, to experience a cafeteria lunch as high-stakes personal drama. "Heretics Anonymous" focuses on a teen who's new to an elite Catholic high school and the group of misfits who befriend him. It's a diverse, quirky and intelligent cast of characters and I enjoyed spending a little time in their world. The book, which I read in a day, is well crafted and a great exploration of the meaning and practice of forgiveness.
For the most part, Michael's adjustment to Catholic school, and balancing the faith of others with fair treatment was interesting. Michael himself had some serious stupid moments, fueled by his hurt and anger at his father--and each time he made the same mistake, he lost some of my sympathy.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. The premise is great: atheist kid joins a Catholic high school mid-year against his wishes and falls in with a small group of lovable misfits. Who doesn’t want to cheer on smart kids as they try to dismantle the oppressive parts of religious school in the interests of creating a safer and more honest culture for everyone? Certainly not me. Especially when one of the teenagers is eloquent and passionate about the core tenets of Catholicism, even while it’s also denying her any hope of reaching the priesthood. I know what it’s like to not fit in and I love an underdog tale. There’s some great dialogue between students and teachers and a promising back-story for the narrator and protagonist. Only problem is, he’s kind of icky to me. The kind of teenage boy I really don’t want my daughters dating some day, good intentions or no. He’s selfish, entitled, and reminds of a young version of too many grown men I know: in love with the idea of his goodness and personal pain but not exactly convincing in the role of Straight White Man Nobody Understands and Who Definitely Needs Women to Listen and Understand. Nice set up and nice details but the end of the book made this feminist mother throw up a little in my mouth and a few places in the middle made me straight-up cringe.