There are so many nuggets of wisdom and thoughts I’ve always had but definitely didn’t think in such a funny way. I laughed at loud at Michael’s commentary on mass and his questioning of almost everything Catholicism preaches. And there’s something to be said for a book that can tackle such a divisive topic as religion, and still come out smelling like roses.Īs someone who grew up Catholic but has maybe gotten a little (ok, a lot) lax about going to church, there was a lot I could relate to in this book. While they have their troubles, I loved reading about a group of revolutionaries who just want to make their world, however small it is, a better place for everyone to be. I enjoyed being in Michael’s head and watching him grow as he learned from his fellow Heretics. They’re both stories about kids questioning what society and religion throw at them. This book reminded me a lot of the cult classic (sort of) Saved! starring Jenna Malone and a bible-throwing Mandy Moore. When Michael takes one mission too far-putting the other Heretics at risk-he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom, or rely on faith, whatever that means, in God, his friends, or himself. After an incident in theology class, Michael encourages the Heretics to go from secret society to rebels intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies.

Clare’s outcasts, and he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, where he can be an atheist, Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants, and Eden can practice paganism. she wants to be a priest.īut Lucy introduces Michael to other St. Only this girl, Lucy, is not just Catholic. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow nonbeliever at that. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. Clare’s-a strict Catholic school-sporting a plaid tie, things can’t get much worse. Praise whoever you worship that this book is out now. At its core, this book teaches tolerance, but thankfully it’s wrapped up in a sarcastic, snarky package. It explores the joys of being an atheist in a Catholic school, trying to find where you fit in, and what happens when you surround yourself with people who are different than you and actually listen to their beliefs. But no matter your religion or lack thereof, you need to read Heretics Anonymous. Or it can be this thing you had as a kid that slowly devolves as you get older. It can bring people together or tear them apart. And you’re going to want to read about them.

No, that’s not the setup to some long, complicated joke that you’re going to tune out halfway through, it’s Heretics Anonymous. What happens when you put an atheist, a Catholic, a gay Jew, a pagan, and a cloak-wearing Unitarian together in a room?

Heretics anonymous