Queer: A Graphic History

Queer: A Graphic History

This is a slim, readable work on queer theory’s history and some of its recurring concerns/interests which combines text and illustrations to create a clear and engaging primer. Meg-John Barker’s writing is careful and generally accessible. They do a good job of simplifying many complex and abstract concepts without falling prey to essentialism. They also enact a queer theoretical approach by conscientiously and repeatedly refusing to say that queer theory is defined any one way or that it is typified by any one characteristic, value, or spokesperson. Instead, they include queer theory’s manifold definitions, characteristics, values, and spokespeople. Their writing is augmented by Julia Scheele’s clear, graphic illustrations, which are black and white, rendered with thick lines and bold shading. A great text for use in a class, reading group, or for recommending to a community member who is wishing to learn more about queer theory, this book is certainly not a deep dive into any one strand of queer theory but rather a useful, clarifying tour through the theory’s history and development.

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