Ray was born and raised in central Illinois, and was drawing as soon as they could hold a pencil. They knew from a young age that they wanted to tell stories, and after years of growing up on manga and webcomics, they pursued further art education in college. They have been making comics since 2013, telling stories of identity, interpersonal relationships, and mental illness. Their quiet narratives emphasize the minutia of life, giving meaning to the mundane and balance out themes of trauma, grief, and toxic relationships with radical empathy, queer joy, and healing.
I saw this graphic novel on the NYPL website.
The story is interesting and has at least some autobiographical aspects. For instance, the author has experience in gymnastics. The "they" pronoun shows a queer-consciousness.
The book also takes place in the 1990s, which is not really necessary to the plot. It also is arguably a bit anachronistic to the degree that things like having two dads are taken totally in stride. OTOH, if the author is partially writing from experience, it clarifies some.
The plot is summarized in one place as "teen gymnasts in a small city in Illinois navigate friendship, love, and loss." One is deaf and has two dads, one who died in a car accident. The other has an "androgynous, punky style" [I did not quite realize it was a girl at first] and comes from a biracial family. She also has some problems with her self-confidence.
There is some suggestions of attraction between the two girls. Nonetheless, the book is more a case of friendship. There are no amazing developments. It also focuses some on the gymnastics routines.
It is a quick reading book with interesting art, which should build your hopes for human nature.
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Thanks for your .02!