Why You Should Read ‘Hell Followed With Us’

Hell Followed With Us, the book written by Andrew Joseph White, is truly magnificent. Chiefly, it shines a light on how trans and neurodivergent lives have felt for the last couple of years, if not our whole lives. There is a great story from beginning to middle to end with teens surviving a dystopia. It has been on the New York Times Bestsellers and is now in production as an animated feature, in collaboration with the creators of The Matrix.

So, why is it that it is not well-known to the public like Hunger Games or Percy Jackson?

Well, it is a very pro-LGBTQ+ book and criticizes how people use religion to traumatize other people. Both are very hot topics in the U.S. right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was considered “woke propaganda.” With all of that combined, you just know that conservatives like Trump are trying to erase the book from the shelves.

So why don’t we try to change that? Here is why you should read Hell Followed With Us.

Trigger Warning

Before we continue, note this book is not for everyone. It has depictions of graphic violence, transphobia, domestic and religious abuse, self-injury, and attempted suicide. If this is not your cup of tea, I understand. Proceed with caution.

The 3 Reasons

A Beginning With a Bang

On the very first page, the book has you hooked in. The reader quickly learns what is happening, what type of world they are in, and that the main character, Benjamin, is transgender (he/him). This book takes place in the destroyed city of Acheson, Pennsylvania, where 16-year-old Benji is now running away from cult members. Insane cult members with guns. This cult, the ones responsible for the destruction of the world by releasing a virus, are chasing after Benji to use him for … something.

Whatever it is, it makes the reader want to root for Benji to escape, to be free of the cult members. That is how powerful the opening is.

The Characters are Endearing

Our two main boys, Benjamin and Nicholas, are two teens in a deadly situation who are trying to do the right thing. Benji promised his dad he would be good, and Nick is trying to keep everyone alive. However, it is not as simple as it seems. What is the definition of good? What will you sacrifice so everyone else doesn’t starve? Both characters struggle with what they should or shouldn’t do.

At the same time, it feels like the world is throwing everything at them: queer-phobic and ablest parents, adults who do nothing to help without conditions, and the overall sickness that is haunting the world. Then, we read how the character handles situations and how they overcome them. It makes the reader wonder what they are going to do next.

Finally, everyone else around them struggles with their own problems. They have their own motives and emotions, making them fleshed-out characters who feel as real as Benji and Nick.

As a result, the reader sees the characters complexity and emotions all throughout the book. It paints their stories into something real and relatable, despite it being set in the apocalypse. The writing makes the reader care about the people, and that is one of the most important things you can do in writing.

It is Very, Very Gay and Diverse

I wasn’t lying when I said this book is pro-LGBTQ+. Benjamin’s gender identity is an important factor of the story, depicting the struggles a lot of trans men have to go through. That isn’t all that he is, though. He is kind, nervous, caring, angry, and just wants to find a place in the world and a cute guy. The same goes for Nick, who is autistic and gay. Sure, being autistic is a huge part of his character, but that doesn’t automatically make he become the stereotype. He is brave, scared, and genuinely loves the people around him. As a person with autism, I greatly appreciate it.

Of course, these two aren’t the only queers around. We got enbys, trans people, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, pansexauls, BIPOC people, and even people with neopronouns. Almost any identity you can think of, they are in this book. It is woke all over the place!

Now, the fact that there are several people from diverse backgrounds and identities makes my heart warm because that is what it is like in the real world. Not all of us are straight, cis, white men, and this book, along with many others, show that.

Conclusion

Overall, this book is really great, and I recommend you check it out. If you are interested in checking out a story where teens survive and battle against a fascist cult who uses Christianity as an excuse to hurt people, then this is the read for you, my friend.

Photo Courtesy of Goodreads