Emery answers “What? Wha-Why? What is SO sad about this...”

Sunneva asked this question about Twist and Shout:

What? Wha-Why? What is SO sad about this story? what is it that makes it such a masterpiece? Cause I see people saying that this story made them cry waterfalls, and the story sounds like a normal/if not stupid fan-fic. Should I check it out? I mean, I don't really ship Destiel, but I don't mind it....I simply don't know what to do.

Emery Rachelle I can't speak for everyone, but I cried because the book grounds itself in the real history of queerness in America. I felt grief and pain for all the…moreI can't speak for everyone, but I cried because the book grounds itself in the real history of queerness in America. I felt grief and pain for all the real people this fictional story represents. I did a lot of research and writing on the history of LGBTQ+ people for papers and personal research in college. Culturally speaking, these were my people, you know? My ancestors. And so many of them died way too young and lived such difficult lives. Being gay in America in the 60s-90s SUCKED. Life was hard and unfair and full of cruelty. This book doesn't sugarcoat it.

Also, Vietnam. The war is a major player in this book which is also not sugarcoated.(less)

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