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Hell Followed with Us

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Hell Followed With Us is a 2022 young adult horror novel by transgender author Andrew Joseph White.[1] It was published to commercial and critical success.[1][2] An animated film based on the book is currently in production, led by co-producer Lilly Wachowski.

Plot

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Benji, a trans teenager, escaped from the doomsday cult that destroyed the earth's population, but has been effected with a bioweapon virus meant to finish the apocalypse. He is rescued by a local LGBT center, and the leader reveals to Benji that the virus he's infected with will mutate him into a humanity-destroying monster. Despite this, the center's autistic[3] leader Nick allows Benji to join their group of rebels, under the condition that he controls his mutation.

Themes and inspiration

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The book considered themes of religious fundamentalism, as well as colonialism, capitalism, and environmentalism.[4] Kirkus Reviews praised the book for "engaging critically" with the intersection between White supremacy and colonialism.[1]

White cited videogames Far Cry 5 and Dead Space as inspiration for the book,[5] as well as Alexander Gordon Smith's Escape from Furnace series.[6]

When reviewing Hell Followed with Us, The School Library Journal noted that, "Vivid descriptions of viscera and gory suffering appear on nearly every page", noting that it would appeal specifically to horror movie and body horror fans.[7] Despite this, the book is still considered a young adult novel by the publisher.

Critical reception

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Hell Followed With Us was ranked #10 on the New York Times Young Adult Bestseller list in August 2022,[2] and was included in The Year-To-Date 2023 Indie Bestsellers List by the American Booksellers Association.[8] Paste Magazine listed it as one of the Best YA Books of 2022.[9]

It was a finalist for the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2023 Morris Award.[10] Before its publication, it was featured by Lambda Literacy as one of June 2022's most highly anticipated LGBTQIA+ young adult novels.[11]

Author V. E. Tirado commissioned a custom chest binder based on the novel, gaining significant attention.[12]

Upcoming film adaptation

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Trustbridge Entertainment acquired the film rights to Hell Followed with Us in 2024. The project is stated to be an anime inspired film, and is being produced in part by Lilly Wachowski of the Matrix franchise.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c HELL FOLLOWED WITH US | Kirkus Reviews.
  2. ^ a b "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. 2022-08-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  3. ^ Yao, JoAnn (9 June 2022). "Q&A With Andrew Joseph White, Hell Followed With Us". We Need Diverse Books. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Hell Followed with Us Is a Furious Post-Apocalyptic Tale of Queer Survival". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  5. ^ Kirichanskaya, Michele (2023-09-27). "Interview with Andrew Joseph White". Geeks OUT. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  6. ^ Stewart |, C. K. "Spring 2022 Flying Starts: Andrew Joseph White". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  7. ^ Joseph, White, Andrew. "Hell Followed with Us". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "The Year-To-Date 2023 Indie Bestsellers List". the American Booksellers Association. 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  9. ^ "The Best YA Books of 2022". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  10. ^ CALCAZAR (2023-12-13). "2023 Morris Award". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  11. ^ Team, Edit (2022-06-02). "June's Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Literature". Lambda Literary Review. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  12. ^ Marks-Joseph, Andrea (2023-04-19). "In Trying Times, Shapeshifters Makes Gender Euphoria Possible". INTO. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  13. ^ Amidi, Amid (2024-09-13). "Lilly Wachowski And Powerhouse Animation Developing 'Hell Followed With Us' Into Animated Feature". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
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