LGBTQ Double Feature: “Juliet Takes a Breath” and “The Greatest Thing”

“Juliet Takes a Breath” by Gabby Rivera and Celia Moscote (Illustrator)

First, a word from the publisher: “Critically-acclaimed writer Gabby Rivera adapts her bestselling novel alongside artist Celia Moscote in an unforgettable queer coming-of-age story exploring race, idenrity and what it means to be true to your amazing self. even when the rest of the world doesn’t understand.“

What Worked For Me:

• I enjoyed the art style; between the manga-adjacent aesthetics and vibrant color palette, the work included plenty of visual treats
• I enjoyed the messages at the center of the work about acceptance, self-actualization, and speaking truth to power
• The work focuses on a queer woman of color, and there’s really only one prominent white character in the story: Harlowe Brisbane. I also appreciated the appearance of older LGBTQ folks (30s-40s), as many of the LGBTQ-focused works I’ve come across in my reading life focus on a younger demographic. TL/DR: representation matters, and Juliet did a great job.
• I was invested enough in the story that when it ended I was left wondering: “what’s next for Juliet?” It’s always a good sign when you leave a work caring about its characters.

What Didn’t:

• On one hand, the work occasionally felt like an “LGBT 101” course more than a graphic novel. On the other hand, this works within the context of the story because Juliet is learning along with the reader. Ultimately, these sections were brief (and might very well be useful for folks who aren’t already entrenched in queer culture / the queer community).
• [nit-pick] Though the work takes place in three named places (the Bronx, Portland, and Miami), more could’ve been done to differentiate the settings. This didn’t really affect the story, though, so it’s hard to complain. Perhaps this is addressed more thoroughly in the novelization of the work.

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed Juliet Takes A Breath, from the visuals to the subject matter. If the publisher’s pitch sounds interesting to you or if you want some insight into the QTPOC experience, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Check it out here.

“The Greatest Thing” by Sarah Winifred Searle

First, a word from the publisher: “It’s the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred’s two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, she must navigate high school on her own.But she isn’t alone for long. In art class, she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. The three bond through clandestine sleepovers, thrift store shopping, and zine publishing. Winifred is finally breaking out of her shell, but there’s one secret she can’t bear to admit to April and Oscar, or even to herself–and this lie is threatening to destroy her newfound friendships. With breathtaking art and honest storytelling, rising star Sarah Winifred Searle delivers a heartfelt story about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.“

What Worked For Me:

• The story is heart-felt; I found it easy to care for the characters and their struggles in Greatest Thing.
• The story includes trigger warnings (self-harm, disordered eating). With that being said, I’m happy to report that the depictions of these struggles are done in a way that’s neither gratuitous nor glorifying.
• The story is faithful to its setting, including its time period (early 2000s). This includes the use of an instant messaging service, which I immediately found nostalgic.
• I liked the inclusion of LGBTQ characters. It’s nice to see characters get to explore themselves and their identity; I imagine this could be helpful for folks looking to better understand their own identity.

What Didn’t:

• (nit-pick) I didn’t like the art style at first. It’s simplicity reminded me a bit of “corporate art.” I grew to appreciate the art over time, though. The in-universe zine that the characters create together also helped sell me.
• (nit-pick) Some of the characters’ problems could be solved by being open and honest / “talking it out.” It seems unfair to list this as a con, though, since I knew this was a story about self-discovery. How can I expect a character to share something about themselves even they haven’t fully grasped or come to terms with?

Conclusion:

Though The Greatest Thing grapples with difficult topics, it does so in a way that feels both warm and real. I don’t normally go for works about high schoolers because that part of my life is long behind me, but I enjoyed this one. Ultimately, if the premise of the work piques your interest, this one is worth a look.

Check it out here.

You may also enjoy …

• “My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness” by Kabi Nagata (you can see my review here)
• My previous round-up of LGBTQ comics, which you can see here.

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