Review by Eric Page
Authenticity is often praised, and inauthenticity is criticised. We want people to be themselves. But what happens if the society we’re in isn’t supportive or even hostile toward who we really are? Or we don’t yet know. That’s the challenge facing many LGBTQ+ people in relation to coming out.
All we know of them is their age and location but this amazingly diverse collection of anonymous voices, have one thing in common: they are the clear, authentic voices of people like us who have made the same heart wrenching and difficult journey as most of us. Accepting themselves for what and who they are, living authentically as those Glorious Beings and then summoning up the courage, or realising they’ve nothing to lose by living honestly and telling people the truth of their lives.
Many of the stories touch on the loss and pain of family estrangements, frank, candid assessments of how being true is more important than living the lie expected of us by others. Stories tremble with possibility, of love found, lost, or allowed to slip through scared hands. There’s difficulty spoken of here too: abuse, violence, self-harm, suicide.
These are brutal truths we face. This book is a humbling read, reminding those of us, far, far from the Closet Doors of our own fearful embrace of our current lives, recalling the real strength it takes to make those first steps, and the whole life changing experience to just saying it ‘I am THIS!’.
The stories range from tragic to inspiring, from daft and cringeworthy to deeply profound and moving, with pathos, glory, honour, and raw electric delight threaded through them. Love flows through this book, gushes at us, warms us with its hope. I was touched by uprightness, the anonymity giving it the feel of voices in the dark, or chatting with strangers at an airport, snatched moments of startling clarity and honesty from people requiring to speak their truth.
Author Carina Maggar is a copywriter and creative based in London and has taken great care to curate this anthology. Most of the stories are accompanied by delicate pencil line drawing from illustrator Marine Buffard, some carefully coloured with a Japanese feel, drawn from subtle details of the narrative.
No two stories are the same, yet all are written by people who share the courage to be vulnerable, take huge risks to find love and acceptance and are brave enough to be their authentic selves. Whether you have any experience of coming out or not, these stories are incredibly powerful and moving.
Out now: £16.99, Hardback
For more info and to order the book, see the publisher’s website
You must be logged in to post a comment.