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Dear Ex gives a firsthand account of a young man whose life is being defined by a catastrophic event: his ex-boyfriend became, overnight, the biggest celebrity in the country.
The only thing worse and more disastrous than getting dumped is getting dumped and seeing your ex become Brazil's biggest sub-celebrity. Not only that, but watching in real time as he falls for another guy on national television. Few words can express this level of heartbreak. Not even Taylor Swift could understand.
But it's precisely the attempt to put the pain into words, gathered in letters to the damned ex, that makes our protagonist rethink some things. Between bouts of grief and longing, there are annual Ex-Valentine's Day parties with all the friends your ex hated. There's the life you left behind while loving someone who's now just a stranger with millions of followers. And perhaps behind that love, there was also a bit of control, gaslighting, and codependency.
Besides addressing the various nuances of an abusive relationship in a sensitive, ironic, and raw way, "Dear Ex" also raises questions about the social prejudices that young Black and gay people face in our society. Originally published independently, the book sold over 20,000 copies and spent over 100 consecutive days at number one on Amazon's LGBT bestseller list.
"Juan brings us a fluid and often harsh narrative about abusive relationships and scarring traumas, while also addressing extremely relevant social issues. We have to keep an eye on everything Juan publishes from now on, because we are looking at a powerful name in national literature!" - Ray Tavares, author of The 12 Signs of Valentina
"Besides its relevance as a work whose protagonist is a young gay black man—so essential in our national literature— Dear Ex is sensitive, ironic, funny, and cruel; it's one of those stories that will make you laugh and cry. It's current, it's pop, and it will certainly become a new classic beloved by everyone. If it isn't already." - Felipe Cabral , actor, author, and creator of the channel Eu Leio LGBT
"Besides his great technique, Juan Julian possesses empathy and sensitivity to tell relevant stories. Querido Ex is not just an entertaining work, but an important achievement for queer representation in literature." - Thati Machado, author of Poder Extra G
"In a sensitive and sincere way, Juan emerges as a powerful voice, delivering a story full of real and intense feelings, which leap from the book and reach the reader." - Vinicius Grossos, author of Feitos de Sol
"A necessary book for today, Juan sensitively addresses overlooked topics such as structural racism, homophobia, and emotional dependence. It makes you cry, laugh, and reflect." - Ray Neon
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