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Author Q&A
You've shared that FLAMER is a personal story for you. Can you talk a bit about the inspiration and how important it was for you to tell this story?
When I was a kid, I didn't see anyone like me in books or on screens. I was relentlessly bullied just for being who I was, which was short, chubby, half Asian, effeminate, and clueless. And while I maintain that I've always been queer, I didn't understand what that even meant back then. I just knew I was OTHER, all the time. It was hard being torn down by people because of the things that brought me joy. I was also devoutly Catholic, and I wanted to be a good person more than anything. But, if what others said about me was true, it meant I was going to hell. Meanwhile, scouting provided a lot of opportunities for me to build my self-confidence and make some guy friends. Summer camp in particular was a liberating experience, and always proved to be the highlight of my year. Flamer is both an homage and examination of everything I went through as a teenager: fear, joy, self-hatred, self-discovery; and it is told via the medium that saved me as a reader when I was that age: comics.
FLAMER shines a light on bullying and its potentially devastating consequences for LGBTQ+ youth. Why do you think it’s important to turn these topics into a graphic novel for young people?
Often those who are bullied don't fit into typical social circles. Sometimes they’re loners who don't have anyone to share their experiences with, and no one to turn to for advice or understanding. Having books in which they can see themselves reminds them they have a right to exist and take up space in this world. It's important to have a book in which you, the outsider, finally feel centered.
What do you hope readers will learn or take away from FLAMER?
I want queer/questioning readers to know they are loved. Loving yourself can be hard, so if this book can step in and say "but I love you," that could be a source of hope. We need more queer stories told by queer voices. I also want non-queer identified people to get a taste of what it's like to be marginalized. I hope Flamer brings people closer together, and closer to themselves.
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Reviews with images
Amazing Graphic Novel with Great Writing
I picked up at Flamer after seeing the post by my friend Larry a couple weeks ago. There have been so many good graphic novels lately with LGBTQ representation and this is another to add to your list.Aiden is a young man in his last week of Boy Scout camp before starting high school. He is ruthlessly mocked for his Filipino heritage, his feminine traits, puffiness, lack of athleticism. As Aiden progresses through he week he deals with bullies and begins to question his sexuality. Oof, this one hits close to home. I can relate to Aiden as a fat, gay kid in scouting in junior high. I did not love it. My best friend and I called either other the “dainty scouts” because we knew we were not like the other boys. Summer camp with communal showers, lack of any desire to play sports, and difficulty connecting to other boys was a challenge.The writing here is very tight with a direct story that will appeal to younger kids. But this book is so layered. The way Curato weaves in themes of martyrdom, self-esteem, and becoming who you are in a magnificent way. By combining images of the St. Sebastian and Catholic imagery with Jean Grey/Phoenix from the X-Men was excellent. Fire is a metaphor throughout this story. The illustrations look like ash, beautiful, like rough sketches, but refined . The only colors in this book are shades of red, orange, and yellow used perfectly to highlight important thematic moments. I am still thinking of all of the connections days later. It’s rare to find this attention to detail and story, theme, and character so tightly knit together in a book for young people. The personal connection and immense care in each page is apparent. I loved this book and I hope more people read it. Anyone who feels like an outsider at times can benefit from this novel. CW: self harm. ★★★★★ • Hardcover • Graphic Novel, Fiction, LGBTQ • Published by Henry Holt on 9/1/2020. ◾︎
Top reviews from other countries
marq
Beautiful illustrations with an important message
Reviewed in Australia on August 27, 2022
