Triggers in Blessed Cure by Mário Oliveira include, but are not limited to: homophobia, homophobic language, homophobic actions, beatings, sexual images of genitalia and acts, prostitution, transphobia.
One man’s life from the 1960s to the 1990s (with the potential for a “now” setting) unfolds as he does everything in his power to not be “so gay.” (Which is the nicest thing he is called in the book.) From parents blaming each other, doctors blaming parents, the church blaming everyone (especially the mother) to the man blaming himself, we see what society does to pressure us to be “normal” and the horror of not being yourself.
There are a few places that I was uncomfortable with, but I figure that was what the story wanted. It wants you to sit up and pay attention. There also was a plot point I really wish wasn’t happening. I am not sure if this is based on Oliveira’s life, but even if it was a real event, it wasn’t needed. I liked how the use of pink and blue is used to show you what is happening to the characters personalities, presentation and what “should and shouldn’t” be. Then there is the beginning and ending of the story that is in a more full color, more traditional graphic novel/comic format. The details are mostly minimal, and in many cases are “backdrop” and not a character.
While everyone was not as “fleshed out” as I would have hoped, overall I enjoyed how the personalities and actions were in a realistic portrayal. This works to give you not only the people, but the setting (Brazil) and society/the world as a whole. Oliveira knows this story and while it was not perfect for me, it is darn near close. This book is available, but you might need to find it via the library, a comic book shop, or a preloved source. And, of course, we Indie Bookstores will do our best to find it for you. I read it via an online reader copy from Soaring Penguin Press (Diamond Books) who were promoting it to bookstores via email. 