Gayathiri Kamalakanthan and Chi Nwosu’s debut YA verse-novel Bad Queer, published by Allen & Unwin, explores non-binary youth identity, relationships, and cultural representation through protagonist Surya’s final year of high school. The book pairs poetic text with illustrative line drawings to map themes of self-acceptance, queer futures, and navigating first love within a binary world.
The Journey of Surya in Bad Queer
Surya starts the book feeling like a “bad queer” after staying silent when an ice cream man misgenders them, according to text published by Allen & Unwin. Written by London-based author Gayathiri Kamalakanthan and illustrated by Chicago artist Chi Nwosu, the protagonist comes out to their parents—who identify as queer and non-binary—and close friend Maha, but keeps their identity hidden from others at school. Surya hopes for a sharper tongue when a classmate harasses them for not looking strictly like a boy or a girl. Their perspective shifts when they impulsively audition for the school youth theatre, a step Kamalakanthan describes as a mini-protest against past silence.
Artistic Collaboration and Cultural Identity
Chi Nwosu’s illustrations play a central role in depicting Surya’s internal landscape and external experiences. According to Kamalakanthan, poetry and illustration act as a natural match by inviting readers to co-create the narrative. Nwosu, a Black, non-binary, queer Nigerian American artist, noted that Surya’s search for representation in Tamil culture mirrored their own experiences connecting with Igbo history and looking for historical outliers. One illustration captures the “vast aloneness when you’re not fully seen,” while others surround the text with stars and swirls to visualize Surya practicing deep breathing in a bathroom stall.
First Love, Consent, and Misunderstandings
Through the youth theatre group led by Mr Ali, Surya befriends Akhil—who wears a “GAY AF” badge—and Sade, who hands Surya a worry stone for anxiety. Surya also develops romantic feelings for Blessing, a Ghanaian British boy in the cast. Kamalakanthan drew on their background as a sex and relationships educator and theatre creator to shape this dynamic. According to the author, Blessing struggles to understand Surya’s transness due to living in a binary world, but he tries, makes mistakes, and learns. The storyline models hesitant, consensual conversations around boundaries before physical touch occurs.
Comparative Reception and Literary Context
Reviewers and publishers highlight Bad Queer for its authentic representation of contemporary youth. Goodreads reviewers rate the book 4.5 stars, praising its handling of identity, platonic and romantic relationships, and the impact of language and culture, though some noted the pacing could move faster. Faber describes the verse-novel as a “luminous and romantic debut” and compares its emotional resonance to works by Alice Oseman, Dean Atta, and Sarah Crossan. Meanwhile, reviewers on Goodreads discuss how the narrative addresses generational friction, citing Surya’s grandparent Thaathi reacting with distress when Surya delays college, reflecting unexamined fears about a hostile world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Bad Queer?
Bad Queer was written by London-based author Gayathiri Kamalakanthan and illustrated by Chicago artist Chi Nwosu.
Who publishes the book?
The novel-in-verse is published by Allen & Unwin.
What is the main plot of Bad Queer?
The book follows Surya, a non-binary high school senior who navigates family dynamics, friendships, and a first crush on a classmate named Blessing after joining a school youth theatre group.
What artistic style is used in the book?
The book combines poetry in verse with line drawings by Chi Nwosu that illustrate both real-world details and Surya’s internal emotions.
Did you know? Author Gayathiri Kamalakanthan drew inspiration for the theatre storyline from their own background writing plays like Period Parrrty and working as a sex and relationships educator.
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