Hell Followed with Us

I knew that as a queer autistic person with religious trauma, this book was going to hit close to home, but what I wasn't expecting was for it to do everything justice. Everything from Benji's transness, to his religious trauma, to even the body horror–which I was especially a fan of–felt like it was done well.

What I really appreciated, though, was Nick's characterization. Too often I've been excited by the promise of an autistic character only to be let down by the way they were represented–often in infantilizing and invalidating ways. It was like a breath of fresh air to see someone just like me, who stimmed and had trouble speaking, without seeing them be treated like a child or the butt of the joke. And I will admit that there were parts of Nick's characterization that had me crying in the best way possible.

I wish I could sit here and recall everything I loved about this book, but I think it'd take too long and I'm not sure anyone would read my ramblings about metaphors, religious imagery, and the fine (essentially nonexistent) line between divinity and monstrosity that I love so much. But if there's one take away I want anyone who is reading this review to have it's this: I loved this book and everything about it, and, even though I'm not the type to reread things, I know for a fact that I plan on picking it up again in the future.