Felix Ever After is my Pride-2020 read #7
I have also read Queen of the Conquered and This Is Kind of An Epic Love Story by Kacen,
And I got to meet Kacen at LeakyCon in October of 2019 and was charmed and will forever adore them. When I heard this book was coming out I knew I would need to read it. When I saw the cover I was immediately in love with the art and the idea of Felix.
We say we can empathize with people. And sometimes we can. But more often what we mean is that we want to and we think we can. But we can't because we can never really understand what it is like for a person or a group of people we will never share experiences with and without that, without at least the possibility of the shared experience we can't truly empathize with someone. We can care and feel for them, but we can't fully grasp the moments.
This is why own voices stories are so important. Own voices stories give voice to characters and experiences that are told from a place of true understanding and empathy. This gives groups of folx not often given center stage in books their much deserved time to shine. It reaches people who never get to see their lives reflected and truly told to feel fully connected to the written story. And as an added bonus, because we the other readers aren't the important part of the equation, it gives those of us who want to be better supporters a chance to listen to these voices, these amazing stories. We still can't fully know but we can deepen our compassion and add to our vocabulary and knowledge.
More importantly for readers who share this voice, it is an opportunity to finally see yourself and/or your experiences in the books you read. For example young queer kids now have access to story books where the Prince falls in love with the Knight and the Princess falls in love with the Maiden or a little boy can be a mermaid.
But for now let's talk about Felix. Felix is an art student in NYC and he lives with is dad in Harlem. His mother isn't in the picture and I won't say more about that, it is for Felix to tell you about. Felix's best friend is Ezra. His dad is trying to come to terms with or understand Felix's transgender identity and so is Felix. A supporting cast of characters push Felix to really look at himself and it isn't always easy or comfortable. He wants what most of us want, to be loved, to be happy, to feel fulfilled. But he is plagued with doubt, wondering if he is worthy of love and if he can ever find his way, his place.
Someone hangs pictures in the school lobby that Felix never wanted anyone to see. It made the search for self Felix was on that much more complicated. But it also helped Felix learn who he loves and trusts and can rely on. It helped set Felix on a journey to find himself and his art.
Felix Ever After is an amazing and powerful story of coming to terms with who you are and how you feel and not the way the world tells you to be or feel or act. It is a coming of age story and a love letter to queer teens trying to find the answers. Kacen writes with love and compassion and honesty. You can feel Felix's heartbeat in the pages of this book!! And you can feel the wonder that is Kacen and it feels like a privilege to spend time here.
I want to tell you so much more but I want you to take the journey with Felix yourself and not give away too much.
(Finished June 28, 2020)
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