God Loves Hair is a collection of 21 short stories by Vivek Shraya with illustrations by Juliana Neufeld. The collections tells the stories of a child of Indian immigrants growing up in Canada.[1] Originally self-published in 2010 it was a finalized for the Lambda Literary Award.[2] In 2014 it was rereleased by Arsenal Pulp Press.[3] In 2020 a hardcover 10th anniversary edition which includes a new story, new illustrations and a foreword by writer Cherie Dimaline.[4]
 | |
| Author | Vivek Shraya |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Juliana Neufeld |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Young adult literature, Gay male teen fiction, Gender identity, Short story collection |
| Published | 2014 (Arsenal Pulp Press) |
| Publication place | Canada |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 110 |
| ISBN | 9781551525433 |
| OCLC | 864394858 |
| Originally self-published in 2010. | |
Reception
editBoth Booklist and Quill & Quire gave God Loves Hair starred reviews with Booklist writing "The highly visual nature of the stories is enhanced by artist Neufeld's full-page color illustrations, which accompany each selection. [...] A book for all ages, this will be especially welcomed by contemporary genderqueer youth and twentysomethings, who will see themselves in these vividly realized pages."[5] and Quill & Quire calling it "a rich and powerful exploration of gender, sexuality, religion, race, and the desire to fit in."[6]
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books highlighted the synergy of Shraya and Neufeld; "There is clear collaborative effort between the author and the illustrator, Neufeld, and the drawings are indeed one of the strongest elements, sharpening what are occasionally long passages into one searing image that captures the same tone." and concluded "This may resonate most with older teens who may have also seen enough glimpses of life beyond high school to fully appreciate the evolution of the trapped, bullied kid represented to the sharp, poetic man who remembers being him."[7]
God Loves Hair has also been reviewed by Publishers Weekly,[8] the School Library Journal,[9] Kirkus Reviews,[10] The Gazette,[11] and CM: Canadian Review of Materials.[12]
Stories
editThe stories in God Loves Hair are:[13]
- God Loves Hair
- Bed Humper
- Lipstick
- Dress Up
- Sridevi
- Pervert
- Dear Vishnu
- Girls Are Mothers and Sisters
- Es Ee Ex
- Colour Purple
- Girls Are Dangerous
- Gaylord!
- Bubble Butt
- Moustache
- Girls Get Pregnant
- Sundays
- God Lives in India
- Dirty Thoughts
- Suicide Jeans
- Eyebrows
- God is Half Man Half Woman.
References
edit- ^ Jolly, Jihii (2010-07-19). "God Loves Vivek". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ "God Loves Hair · Vivek Shraya". vivekshraya.com. 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ Shraya, Vivek; Neufeld, Juliana (2014). God loves hair: stories. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press. ISBN 978-1-55152-543-3.
- ^ Vivek, Shraya (2020). God Loves Hair: Tenth Anniversary Edition. Arsenal Pulp Press. ISBN 9781551528137.
- ^ "Booklist Review: God Loves Hair (starred review)". Booklist. American Library Association. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ "Reviews: God Loves Hair (starred review)". Quill & Quire. St. Joseph Media. May 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ Deborah Stevenson (December 2014). "Jackson, Richard In Plain Sight". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 68 (4). The Johns Hopkins University Press: 229. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ "God Loves Hair (starred review)". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. September 29, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
Shraya's stripped-down prose has documentary force, and Neufeld's illustrations, with their intersecting planes of translucent color and their linoleum block-style images, add humor and bite. It's an important addition to the library of coming-out literature.
- ^ Shraya, Vivek (2014). God Loves Hair. Arsenal Pulp Press. ISBN 9781551525433. OCLC 864394858. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
Each story is accompanied by mixed-media illustrations with comic-book appeal, that along with the work's Indian and American pop-culture references and its intersection of race and gender, bring a fresh and vibrant addition to YA LGBT literature. [...] Librarians should be on the lookout for this queer coming-of-age story that offers an endearing and honest voice, as well as a heartbreaking account of adolescence.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ "God Loves Hair". Kirkus Media LLC. July 16, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
In his debut novella, the Toronto-based Shraya explores growing up gay and religious through the character of a nameless Indo-Canadian boy who from childhood on is somewhat female-identified. [...] Neufeld's mixed-media illustrations pair well with the scenes they depict, capturing the essence of being young with their multilayered texture and comic book–like immediacy. Running the emotional spectrum from shame to pleasure and acceptance, Shraya offers a refreshing window into the intimate struggles of youth.
- ^ Rob Cline (November 9, 2014). "'God Loves Hair': Novel equally appealing to teens, adults". The Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
"God Loves Hair" is wholly appropriate for adult readers, as well. This isn't because it offers a fast-paced story with broad appeal (it doesn't), but because it captures moments of self-doubt and self-discovery that are likely to resonate with many people.
- ^ Rob Bittner (September 2, 2005). "God Loves Hair". CM: Canadian Review of Materials. 20 (26). The Manitoba Library Association. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
God Loves Hair is a lovely collection of short stories from the talented Vivek Shraya, with complementary artwork by Juliana Neufeld.
- ^ God loves hair. OCLC. OCLC 864394858. Retrieved 24 May 2017 – via worldcat.org.