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pastelsux's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book, which I guess was obvious by the fact I finished it in a little over twenty-four hours. I appreciate when a YA novel’s voice is authentic, which I found this book to be for sure. I like a diverse cast, which this book provides. And I usually *don’t* enjoy books with a huge focus on religion, or on the lack thereof, but this book’s different.
To put it simply, I’m glad this book doesn’t treat anyone like they’re stupid. Catholics/Christians often treat atheists like the enemy, and vice versa. All atheists are cynical and all Christians are sheep, right? Not in this book. The writing doesn’t treat Lucy like she’s stupid for being Catholic, or treat Michael like he’s stupid for being an atheist. (Avi, Eden, and Max get the same treatment for their respective beliefs.) I can really get behind that. This book doesn’t “take a side” and say what religion is better, worse, or true: it just takes the side of compassion, understanding, and most importantly, challenging your own beliefs. In religion, in love, in life. And it wraps that message up in a funny, authentic, fast-paced, enjoyable package. I can get behind that.
Four stars because the book isn’t “perfect”, and I do have my qualms— mostly with the way Michael talks about Lucy and how fast it seems the ending is resolved— but this book doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a church, not a God. God is perfect, churches aren’t. But churches are a place of belonging. And for Catholics, atheist, Celtic revisionists, and everyone in between, there’s a place of belonging to be found in this book.
To put it simply, I’m glad this book doesn’t treat anyone like they’re stupid. Catholics/Christians often treat atheists like the enemy, and vice versa. All atheists are cynical and all Christians are sheep, right? Not in this book. The writing doesn’t treat Lucy like she’s stupid for being Catholic, or treat Michael like he’s stupid for being an atheist. (Avi, Eden, and Max get the same treatment for their respective beliefs.) I can really get behind that. This book doesn’t “take a side” and say what religion is better, worse, or true: it just takes the side of compassion, understanding, and most importantly, challenging your own beliefs. In religion, in love, in life. And it wraps that message up in a funny, authentic, fast-paced, enjoyable package. I can get behind that.
Four stars because the book isn’t “perfect”, and I do have my qualms— mostly with the way Michael talks about Lucy and how fast it seems the ending is resolved— but this book doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a church, not a God. God is perfect, churches aren’t. But churches are a place of belonging. And for Catholics, atheist, Celtic revisionists, and everyone in between, there’s a place of belonging to be found in this book.
abbyrose237's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
emleemay's review against another edition
3.0
It’s first period and only one person definitely wants me dead. Things are going better than expected.
[b:Heretics Anonymous|34659293|Heretics Anonymous|Katie Henry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507339506s/34659293.jpg|55823822] is one of the few (actually the only one I can recall) YA books that talks specifically about a lack of religion. The protagonist - Michael - is an atheist who is forced to attend a Catholic high school and he, along with some new friends, attempts an amusing challenge of religious hypocrisy and inadequate sex education (read: outright lies).
As an atheist who attended my own Catholic high school, I related to a lot of this. My school was definitely more liberal than St Clare's, public not private, and with regular teachers instead of nuns, but I remember having a lot of questions and issues similar to what Michael has. Also, this is the latest blog update from my old school: http://www.st-wilfrids.bkcat.co.uk/official-school-skirt/ 🙄
It's a funny book, not one for those unwilling to laugh at some of the more ridiculous aspects of religion, but it's also respectful of anyone's beliefs as long as they agree everyone has the right to believe their own thing and love who they want. Michael is an atheist but his friends range from devoted Catholic to practicing pagan, with the ultimate message being tolerance and understanding. At the same time as unpacking some of the misconceptions about safe sex, Michael's own arrogance and dismissal of other beliefs is challenged.
“I’m Sister Joseph Marie. You can call me Sister.”
Sister. Father. It’s like getting a whole other family I don’t want to spend time with.
The humour worked well for me and I laughed out loud a few times, but I think this book follows the pattern of a number of other quirky humourous books that have a weak story and weak characters. Underneath the hilarious and quotable lines, the meat of the book is lacking. The characters are forgettable and read more like a bunch of quirks shaped like a person than fully fleshed-out individuals.
While some of the funnier quotes remind me of [b:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|19547856|Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood, #1)|Becky Albertalli|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678s/19547856.jpg|27679579], the characters are far less memorable. I think this book will work well for readers who enjoy funny lines and jokes, and are willing to sacrifice plot and character development in exchange for said jokes. I think comedy usually translates well to audio, so I'd also be interested how audiobook readers find this.
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whineosaur's review against another edition
3.0
Another 3.5. I’ll have to think on my feelings here.
theeelectriceel's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
martareader's review against another edition
5.0
HOW DO I EVEN START TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK?
I loved EVERYTHING, the characters were amazingly done, the story was simple but perfect, the book itself was short but still PERFECT.
The Heretics Anonymous remembered me of my own friend group, their awkwardness and difference to the rest made me relate to them all as a group.
And then the love interest, even though everything was a bit rushed it didn't matter, it was SO cute and so well done that you don't even realize it was a bit insta lovey.
'' I don't have a God, and I don't have a religion. But I do have a church. I do have a place that makes me feel safe and protected and known, like you said about Easter Mass when you were a kid. I have a place I feel known''
''It's you. You are my church''
I JUST ADORE THEM
And besides all of that, the book is a comedy YES but it made me cry at some points. And I do not cry easily with books.
So now go pick up this book because it is a fast read and you will devour it REALLY REALLY FAST
I loved EVERYTHING, the characters were amazingly done, the story was simple but perfect, the book itself was short but still PERFECT.
The Heretics Anonymous remembered me of my own friend group, their awkwardness and difference to the rest made me relate to them all as a group.
And then the love interest, even though everything was a bit rushed it didn't matter, it was SO cute and so well done that you don't even realize it was a bit insta lovey.
'' I don't have a God, and I don't have a religion. But I do have a church. I do have a place that makes me feel safe and protected and known, like you said about Easter Mass when you were a kid. I have a place I feel known''
''It's you. You are my church''
I JUST ADORE THEM
And besides all of that, the book is a comedy YES but it made me cry at some points. And I do not cry easily with books.
So now go pick up this book because it is a fast read and you will devour it REALLY REALLY FAST
mouwuol's review against another edition
1.0
I’m so mad about how much time I wasted reading this.
It’s getting closer to winter here in Australia and it’s good to know I have kindling for a fire.
It’s getting closer to winter here in Australia and it’s good to know I have kindling for a fire.
auts_books's review against another edition
5.0
I was torn on just how many stars I wanted to rate this book. I ended awarding it five stars, despite the fact that it is not a typical book I would enjoy. There were obviously a lot of religious concepts and quotes in there, but it felt like these could appeal to the mass public. As someone who doesn’t identify with one religion or no religion, I often feel left out of conversations that discuss this topic. I really enjoyed certain aspects and thoughts the author shared throughout the story, without pressuring a specific way of thinking. It was interesting to reflect upon after finishing the book- what do I believe in- in general? So I would summarize saying it was thought-provoking without being theoretical, it would likely appeal to many diverse readers, and it was a very easy, quick read.