Celestial Summer by Lorraine Avila | Book Review
My Thoughts and What It’s About
How would I describe Celestial Summer? Picture a New York City love story. Not a Sex and the City type of romance, but one with Harlem grit and Big Bronx Energy. Celestial Summer is an adult graphic novel with odes to Black music, spiritually and protective saints. A provocative story that weaves the Black and Brown community together and forces you to engage in self reflection. A love story filled with psychedelic trips that lead you down a mental rabbit hole of sorts, leaving you to evaluate your ability to let love in, or perhaps, keep it out. It definitely was a wonderful tool to foster intimate conversations with my partner. We were able to discuss music, sexual trauma, healing, and pleasure while having this beautifully written and illustrated graphic novel to lead the way.
I could go into detail about the amazing characters and their stories, but I really want you to purchase this graphic novel for yourself. I am not being paid for this, I do not make any money if you purchase it. I genuinely enjoyed it and think you all would too. If you are still not convinced, listen to WSLEO podcast episode 054: Ride or Die featuring Lorraine Avila, author of Celestial summer.
Trigger Warnings
Nudity
Sex
Reference to sexual assault
Drug/Psychedelic usage
Who Is This Book For
Lorraine starts Celestial Summer with this dedication, “ For those who continue loving through the facade of lovelessness.” I immediately said YASSS very loud and obnoxiously. We Still Like Each other was bred out of a desire to show people it's okay to love. To encourage people to love deep and commit fully despite a world that is hell bent on filling our minds with doubt and pessimism about everlasting love. Lorraine also adds, “For the greater good of Black and Brown people. For NYC.” and I was like, “PERIODT!”, but I wasn’t surprised. Lorraine’s work is unapologetically for and about Black and Brown people.
Memorable Quotes
“ I’m always trying to control how sex happens– is that a trauma response or am I turned on by control?”
“Also, I think I might be good at cutting shit off and disconnecting myself from people when shit gets rough because I know that endings to relationships are natural.”
“...to spite these white supremacists. Have nappy headed babies running around all free and extra and shit.”
About The Author
I went to the same Bronx high school as Lorraine and have been cheering her on over the years during her writing journey. She was also a classroom teacher like myself at one point. She is now currently working on her MFA in fiction at the University of Pittsburgh. Feel free to visit Lorraine’s About page on her website to learn more about her and her work.