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A review by booksrbrainfood
Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez
5.0
Crosshairs is a dystopian story told by Catherine Hernandez in such a powerful and poignant manner that it is heartbreaking and uplifting simultaneously.
This centers around our protagonist, a drag queen who knows as a young boy that he is different and suffers through many abuses before being set free into the world of Toronto, Canada to discover who he really is. He finds himself working as a dishwasher in a bar that features drag shows. While there, he becomes enamored by a more experienced drag queen who mentors him and helps him create his on stage personality. It is through this background that we see how his life changes due to the people and events occurring around him.
As is the case of fascist regimes, they slowly evolve into more rights eroding from those that are considered the underclass. This can be based on immigration, race, poverty, age or disability. Anything that sets one apart from those who have power are fair game.
I loved so many quotes throughout this book that serve as a warning to us all. One of the most important points was when Kay was able to explain why it took so long for them to understand how much they were being turned into second class citizens and therefore in real danger. She states all the warnings that were there and explained away by assuming that this could never happen because it is Canada. Masquerading as a movement for all Canadians, together with the USA, as a program called Two Nations, One Vision leading to The Renovation. This program started in response to the real struggles people faced after flooding and economic downturns. Presented as a way for the countries to help those in need, it was a widely celebrated approach. The downside was hidden from the light.
There is something for many readers in this novel. There is the warnings about fascism and how it spreads, not because everything blows up suddenly, but in the slowly cascading loss of people’s humanity. There is discussion about how the ravages of climate change might affect the reality of life as we know it. There is love and loss, friendship and hardship, bigotry and allyship.
I honestly can’t say enough great things about this book. It’s a hard book to read at times because of its honesty in uncovering these difficult issues.
This is for the reader who likes a dystopian story that challenges you to find compassion and understanding. This book will not disappoint you. I feel like I will be thinking about this story and these characters for a long time.
#Crosshairs #Netgalley #AtriaBooks
This centers around our protagonist, a drag queen who knows as a young boy that he is different and suffers through many abuses before being set free into the world of Toronto, Canada to discover who he really is. He finds himself working as a dishwasher in a bar that features drag shows. While there, he becomes enamored by a more experienced drag queen who mentors him and helps him create his on stage personality. It is through this background that we see how his life changes due to the people and events occurring around him.
As is the case of fascist regimes, they slowly evolve into more rights eroding from those that are considered the underclass. This can be based on immigration, race, poverty, age or disability. Anything that sets one apart from those who have power are fair game.
I loved so many quotes throughout this book that serve as a warning to us all. One of the most important points was when Kay was able to explain why it took so long for them to understand how much they were being turned into second class citizens and therefore in real danger. She states all the warnings that were there and explained away by assuming that this could never happen because it is Canada. Masquerading as a movement for all Canadians, together with the USA, as a program called Two Nations, One Vision leading to The Renovation. This program started in response to the real struggles people faced after flooding and economic downturns. Presented as a way for the countries to help those in need, it was a widely celebrated approach. The downside was hidden from the light.
There is something for many readers in this novel. There is the warnings about fascism and how it spreads, not because everything blows up suddenly, but in the slowly cascading loss of people’s humanity. There is discussion about how the ravages of climate change might affect the reality of life as we know it. There is love and loss, friendship and hardship, bigotry and allyship.
I honestly can’t say enough great things about this book. It’s a hard book to read at times because of its honesty in uncovering these difficult issues.
This is for the reader who likes a dystopian story that challenges you to find compassion and understanding. This book will not disappoint you. I feel like I will be thinking about this story and these characters for a long time.
#Crosshairs #Netgalley #AtriaBooks