I have reviewed Noah’s Ark by Jay DeMaarten for Reader’s Favorite.
Noah’s Ark by Jay DeMaarten is a dystopian novel that transports the readers into the Queer Nation. The LGBT population made up for a majority of this society, while heterosexuals were demeaned and called as breeders. Under these circumstances, Milan struggled with his attraction toward Susanne, a heterosexual woman. The concoction of his confusion and the shame of possibly being a heterosexual was tearing him apart from the inside. So, in his quest for answers, he decided to visit Arktown, the rural community of heterosexuals. However, Arktown and its religious fanatics filled his brain with even more questions. The rate at which women were losing their fertility was mind-boggling. On top of that, a mesmerizing politician named Phoenix was making promises to bring a new era that would put an end to gender discrimination. As the political and religious conflicts morphed into violent attacks on Arktown, Milan found himself in the middle of the chaos.
All I knew was that I, a boy, was in love with Susanne, a girl, in a society that respected only same-gender love. I knew I wasn’t Gay or Bi-Queer, but that didn’t matter. You were either a backward, natural-born Heterosexual steeped in religious fanaticism, or a proud, secular Queer citizen born at the Birthing Center. There was no middle ground. And people like me, Susanne and Georgina, who walked that ground — voluntarily or not — were at odds with the rest of society.
– Noah’s Ark by Jay DeMaarten
It is ironic how the narration of a world, where the LGBT community thrives and heterosexuals are considered nothing more than unwanted elements, injects a new wave of empathy for LGBT cause. The extremists in the Queer Nation behaved the same way as certain fanatic heterosexuals do today. Noah’s Ark is filled with thought-provoking dialogues like The Queers have no more right to inflict injustice in Heteros than Heteros had to inflict on Queers. Milan’s dilemma to choose between LGBT extremists and religious fanatics reflects gloriously is this one monologue: One had political power; the other had religious conviction. Both predicted destruction for those who did not join them. Which was right? Other than plenty of insightful and eye-opening moments, Noah’s Ark grips its audience with exhilarating twists. The readers with an inclination toward intoxicating dystopian novels would find Noah’s Ark by Jay DeMaarten a page-turner.
Readers’ Favorite Book Award Contest – Enter Today!“The Queers have no more right to inflict injustice on Heteros than Heteros had to inflict on Queers.”
– Noah’s Ark by Jay DeMaarten
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