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Almost Feral
***CANADA BOOK AWARD WINNER*** ***IPPY AWARDS SILVER MEDAL, CANADA-EAST BEST REGIONAL NONFICTION CATEGORY** ***BEST ATLANTIC-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARD WINNER*** ***MARGARET AND JOHN SAVAGE FIRST BOOK AWARD - NON-FICTION WINNER*** ***CBC BOOKS WRITER TO WATCH LIST***
On July 2, 2015, influential social activist Gemma Hickey began a 908-kilometer walk across the island of Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. Almost Feral celebrates the community of support that gathered around this journey and recounts Hickey's remarkable story of self-discovery which led to the realization that they are transgender. In this thought-provoking and wide-ranging autobiography, Hickey counters memories of sexual assault, bullying, and depression with inspiring reflections on faith, love, family, individual and communal identity, sex, gender, and acceptance. Through complex feelings of empathy and solitude, weakness and strength, suffering and recovery, Gemma Hickey's Almost Feral chronicles a journey from one side of an island to the other side of personal identity--charting an unknown territory where one's body becomes the map that leads to home.
On July 2, 2015, influential social activist Gemma Hickey began a 908-kilometer walk across the island of Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. Almost Feral celebrates the community of support that gathered around this journey and recounts Hickey's remarkable story of self-discovery which led to the realization that they are transgender. In this thought-provoking and wide-ranging autobiography, Hickey counters memories of sexual assault, bullying, and depression with inspiring reflections on faith, love, family, individual and communal identity, sex, gender, and acceptance. Through complex feelings of empathy and solitude, weakness and strength, suffering and recovery, Gemma Hickey's Almost Feral chronicles a journey from one side of an island to the other side of personal identity--charting an unknown territory where one's body becomes the map that leads to home.
216 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2019
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189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 17, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Almost Feral by Gemma Hickey is a very powerful, gripping non fiction that had me engrossed from page 1 to page 268. The book talks about Gemma's couragous walk across Newfoundland(908km),the love for their family is represented welI as well as the abuse that they endured from the clergy and the effects that our church has done too not only Gemma but too the hundreds of others.Gemma is a strong courageous person who has perservered and helps others with not only victims by the church but also helps the lgbt. This book I hope helps others who have or are going through what they have been through.
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January 29, 2022Very much appreciated this personal yet sociological work by Gemma Hickey. They went on a walk across Newfoundland to publicize sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and to galvanize, support and empower other survivors. It is simultaneously an introduction to the experience of change in a small community, details of life in New Foundland, a tribute to a family coming to meet their family member's journey, and how a brave and thoughtful individual created a public event to celebrate and activate. Also filled with insights about relationships, Catholicism and life in general. This is a work that achieved its goals.
August 12, 2020
I finished reading ALMOST FERAL by Gemma Hickey over a week ago. I have taken the time to formulate my thoughts on what I have read. As you can tell by the picture, many post-it notes went into the reading of this book. I have such a lack of experience with the subject matter and wanted to be able to revisit many pages before I formulated the review.
#gemmahickey walked a 908 kilometer walk across Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. In the process of that walk they journeyed to a place of self discovery in the process. Through reading their book, I feel as though my journey to better understand the heartache and triumph that went into this discovery of self has begun. I have a long way to go, but feel certain that books of this time will help in my search to better understand.
I was in my late teens when the news of the Mount Cashel horrors came to light. I remember the shock, outrage and disbelief that circulated among the people I knew in my small Nova Scotia community. I remember feeling such a deep sense of hatred for the priests and the Catholic church at the time. I respected the author's decision to not give publicity to those events, but also understand how that abuse could shape the person they are now. The author chose to focus on the stories of survivors they met on their walk, rather than go into detail about what happened. The less publicity given to the perpetrators the better, in my opinion. But in order to heal the victims of these horrors need to be heard and THEIR stories need to be told. Along with their own story, those are the stories Gemma Hickey has chosen to tell here.
In the prologue the author suggests the reader may want to read the essays at random "as the best way to understand what I experienced during the walk itself." I chose to read the book from cover to cover and felt like I was taking each step with them.
Several passages made their way into my heart. The first one caused me pause and reflection. "Whatever direction the gender we have been assigned nudges us in, we still have to figure out what may or may not come naturally to us." I had truly never thought of gender in this way. A second "...walking from one side of the other side of myself." Such a genuine reflection of what happened to the author as they walked. And another "As I walked I couldn't help but notice that I started to feel lighter. Instead of putting my faith in a institution or person, I decided to start having some faith in myself." Reading these passages you can almost physically feel the weight of the author's past being lifted and a clear pathway being opened to a future filled with more happiness, less pain.
I applaud Gemma Hickey's bravery in writing this very private story for those of us in the public to read. I feel more enlightened for having read it.
#gemmahickey walked a 908 kilometer walk across Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. In the process of that walk they journeyed to a place of self discovery in the process. Through reading their book, I feel as though my journey to better understand the heartache and triumph that went into this discovery of self has begun. I have a long way to go, but feel certain that books of this time will help in my search to better understand.
I was in my late teens when the news of the Mount Cashel horrors came to light. I remember the shock, outrage and disbelief that circulated among the people I knew in my small Nova Scotia community. I remember feeling such a deep sense of hatred for the priests and the Catholic church at the time. I respected the author's decision to not give publicity to those events, but also understand how that abuse could shape the person they are now. The author chose to focus on the stories of survivors they met on their walk, rather than go into detail about what happened. The less publicity given to the perpetrators the better, in my opinion. But in order to heal the victims of these horrors need to be heard and THEIR stories need to be told. Along with their own story, those are the stories Gemma Hickey has chosen to tell here.
In the prologue the author suggests the reader may want to read the essays at random "as the best way to understand what I experienced during the walk itself." I chose to read the book from cover to cover and felt like I was taking each step with them.
Several passages made their way into my heart. The first one caused me pause and reflection. "Whatever direction the gender we have been assigned nudges us in, we still have to figure out what may or may not come naturally to us." I had truly never thought of gender in this way. A second "...walking from one side of the other side of myself." Such a genuine reflection of what happened to the author as they walked. And another "As I walked I couldn't help but notice that I started to feel lighter. Instead of putting my faith in a institution or person, I decided to start having some faith in myself." Reading these passages you can almost physically feel the weight of the author's past being lifted and a clear pathway being opened to a future filled with more happiness, less pain.
I applaud Gemma Hickey's bravery in writing this very private story for those of us in the public to read. I feel more enlightened for having read it.
January 9, 2021
3.5/5
Almost Feral had been on my TBR for months. When it was chosen as one of this year's contenders for #NLReads, I finally read it.
I was anticipating a journal of Gemma's walk across Newfoundland, but it was wayyyy more than that. I was not expecting the author to blend their journey of self-discovery with the province's history so well. (For example, the essay on resettlement). I found it really interesting how Gemma tied together binaries--not just gender, but others that residents of Newfoundland will no doubt already be familiar with, (like Catholics vs. Protestants).
This is a very, very personal book that deals with sexual abuse at the hands of clergy. I can't say I loved the collection of essays format, but a good read nonetheless.
Almost Feral had been on my TBR for months. When it was chosen as one of this year's contenders for #NLReads, I finally read it.
I was anticipating a journal of Gemma's walk across Newfoundland, but it was wayyyy more than that. I was not expecting the author to blend their journey of self-discovery with the province's history so well. (For example, the essay on resettlement). I found it really interesting how Gemma tied together binaries--not just gender, but others that residents of Newfoundland will no doubt already be familiar with, (like Catholics vs. Protestants).
This is a very, very personal book that deals with sexual abuse at the hands of clergy. I can't say I loved the collection of essays format, but a good read nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2025
gemma intertwines the provinces history with their own history in a unique and playful way, despite the fact that the story covers several heavy topics.
i loved how the story shifted to cover the mental and physical difficulties of gemma’s walk across the island to compare the experience to the difficulties they had experienced throughout their life.
it was a bit difficult to keep up contextually at points, but otherwise i found it really interesting how one perspective helped inform the other.
despite all they had been through, gemma somehow manages to not only keep their faith, but their sharp sense of humour as well. it’s clear they have quite the knack for human connection and story telling. a great read!
i loved how the story shifted to cover the mental and physical difficulties of gemma’s walk across the island to compare the experience to the difficulties they had experienced throughout their life.
it was a bit difficult to keep up contextually at points, but otherwise i found it really interesting how one perspective helped inform the other.
despite all they had been through, gemma somehow manages to not only keep their faith, but their sharp sense of humour as well. it’s clear they have quite the knack for human connection and story telling. a great read!
December 17, 2019
I want to say upfront that this type of book is not something I would normally read, but as Breakwaterbooks sent me a review copy, I decided to look into it. I'm not a fan of 'putting it all out there' style of book. While Gemma's book my be of help to similar victims of the Church, there are also triggers aplenty. Aside from that, I admire her determination to walk across Newfoundland to raise awareness of the Church's misdeeds in regards to trusting youth. A few photos would have been nice, too.
February 3, 2021
Despite the fact that we're now 11 months into pandemic life, I’ve been faithfully going to the library to pick up physical books via their curbside pickup. (I'm not confident I would have made it through all those Clan of the Cave Bear sequels without the pressing matter of coronavirus hanging over my head.) As of this week, though, I’m now the proud owner of a Kobo Libre eInk reader, and Almost Feral is the very first title I borrowed from the digital library.
It's up for vote right now as the “must-read” NL book of the year, under #NLReads, and while I can’t recall actually meeting them, the author and I have many people in common in our social circle, so I thought it was time to pick it up. I wanted to find the Japanese physical copy when it came out, but thanks to COVID I haven't been back to Japan since last March. English version it is, then!
Almost Feral is an autobiography, and author Gemma Hickey a well-known activist. They've made a lot of waves over the last decade for their efforts towards furthering LGBT rights in Newfoundland and Labrador. The book is a memoir of a lengthy walk Gemma completed across the island of NFLD to raise awareness and improve services for victims of religious abuse, particularly the Mount Cashel Orphanage scandal uncovered in the 80s.
The book follows Gemma's walk from Port Aux Basques to St John's, which took a month to complete, and is interspersed with personal essays by the author about their family and interpersonal relationships. I was really fascinated with the backstory of their grandparents and great-grandparents, and reminded of small details of what life was like at my own grandmother's home. I very much enjoyed the details about the trains, too; though we're not that far apart in age, I have no memory of being able to travel by train in NFLD, a regret of mine.
I especially loved the segments about their relationship with the poet, and felt impressed by the level of candour the author displayed as they described events from their past that must have been incredibly tough to speak about. The reader isn't bombarded with only difficult moments, but shares many beautiful ones, too; going back and forth from the present walk to past memories, like a well-choreographed dance.
I really admire Gemma for being able to put themself out there in the public eye, despite the struggles faced when fighting on the front lines. Even if you've never been to Newfoundland, their story can still resonate with you. They demonstrate a strength of character I'm not confident I would ever be able to match.
It's up for vote right now as the “must-read” NL book of the year, under #NLReads, and while I can’t recall actually meeting them, the author and I have many people in common in our social circle, so I thought it was time to pick it up. I wanted to find the Japanese physical copy when it came out, but thanks to COVID I haven't been back to Japan since last March. English version it is, then!
Almost Feral is an autobiography, and author Gemma Hickey a well-known activist. They've made a lot of waves over the last decade for their efforts towards furthering LGBT rights in Newfoundland and Labrador. The book is a memoir of a lengthy walk Gemma completed across the island of NFLD to raise awareness and improve services for victims of religious abuse, particularly the Mount Cashel Orphanage scandal uncovered in the 80s.
The book follows Gemma's walk from Port Aux Basques to St John's, which took a month to complete, and is interspersed with personal essays by the author about their family and interpersonal relationships. I was really fascinated with the backstory of their grandparents and great-grandparents, and reminded of small details of what life was like at my own grandmother's home. I very much enjoyed the details about the trains, too; though we're not that far apart in age, I have no memory of being able to travel by train in NFLD, a regret of mine.
I especially loved the segments about their relationship with the poet, and felt impressed by the level of candour the author displayed as they described events from their past that must have been incredibly tough to speak about. The reader isn't bombarded with only difficult moments, but shares many beautiful ones, too; going back and forth from the present walk to past memories, like a well-choreographed dance.
I really admire Gemma for being able to put themself out there in the public eye, despite the struggles faced when fighting on the front lines. Even if you've never been to Newfoundland, their story can still resonate with you. They demonstrate a strength of character I'm not confident I would ever be able to match.
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February 28, 2022Very compelling, partly because so much is familiar to me and partly because so much is utterly unknown to me. I think what works best about this narrative is the sense that both the individual and the culture are enhanced by the experience Hickey describes. Their own growth path is quite intense, but the book manages to be about far more than just Gemma.
June 5, 2022
A wonderful and brave memoir from Gemma Hickey. Thought provoking and inspiring.
January 16, 2021
I noticed this book on the home page of NL Public Library Overdrive app and it was labelled a “must read of the year”. I am familiar with Gemma Hickey, being from NL myself and seeing her on occasion on the Evening Newshour, so I decided to check out the book. What I didn’t expect was to not be able to put it down. I loved Gemma’s willingness to share her story in such an honest and raw way. Her story made me teary-eyed at times and her humor made me smile. Her story is one of perseverance and strength in the face of many challenges and an inspiring one, to say the least.
February 27, 2020
This is an important book. It’s also a difficult one to read. The prose is beautiful - lyrical in tone, and the message is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. Having grown up in the same time, in almost the same place (Mt Pearl to Gemma’s St. John’s), I am familiar with many of the places they wrote about. I witnessed denominational education first hand, although my experience was different. I am impressed by Gemma’s faith, and genuinely touched by how much of themselves they have put into this book.
Read it. Learn a lot about tolerance, acceptance, and love - and not at all in the ways you’d expect!
Read it. Learn a lot about tolerance, acceptance, and love - and not at all in the ways you’d expect!
January 26, 2021
Gemma Hickey (they/them) takes us on a journey of weakness, strength, loss and growth. This book shifts between Hickey’s early life and childhood and a 908 kilometre walk across Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse.
I loved learning so much about Hickey’s personal life and realizing how much we have in common even though we come from different backgrounds and beliefs. I loved how the author tackled various issues and topics including sexuality, religion, abuse, Indigenous communities, and even menstruation. I gained even more respect for the author for dedicating a chapter on colonialism and their role as a White individual.
While the author speaks of how they’ve been hurt and abused by the people and institutions, they also acknowledge that they may have hurt others in their long journey of recovery. This really touched me and proved how strong and empathetic Hickey is.
Hickey is extremely brave for sharing their story of sexual abuse. The chapter hit me deeply and I just wanted to give the author a hug for not allowing that to define them and for becoming a huge inspiration and role model for others. This is a very inspirational book that I will definitely refer to in the future. I really resonated with Hickey on not fitting in and being bullied. This book opened my mind even more and several chapters had me take a break and reflect due to how powerful the words are.
This is a moving and inspirational story that I highly recommend picking up especially if you are looking to expand your knowledge on contemporary Canadian political issues, feminism, and the LGBTQ+ community or if you’re wanting to read more Canadian authors!
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I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved learning so much about Hickey’s personal life and realizing how much we have in common even though we come from different backgrounds and beliefs. I loved how the author tackled various issues and topics including sexuality, religion, abuse, Indigenous communities, and even menstruation. I gained even more respect for the author for dedicating a chapter on colonialism and their role as a White individual.
While the author speaks of how they’ve been hurt and abused by the people and institutions, they also acknowledge that they may have hurt others in their long journey of recovery. This really touched me and proved how strong and empathetic Hickey is.
Hickey is extremely brave for sharing their story of sexual abuse. The chapter hit me deeply and I just wanted to give the author a hug for not allowing that to define them and for becoming a huge inspiration and role model for others. This is a very inspirational book that I will definitely refer to in the future. I really resonated with Hickey on not fitting in and being bullied. This book opened my mind even more and several chapters had me take a break and reflect due to how powerful the words are.
This is a moving and inspirational story that I highly recommend picking up especially if you are looking to expand your knowledge on contemporary Canadian political issues, feminism, and the LGBTQ+ community or if you’re wanting to read more Canadian authors!
-
I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2021
This memoir wasn’t what I was expecting but I’m glad I read it. In 2015 Gemma Hickey walked across Newfoundland. I thought that would be an interesting read. But Gemma’s life story is far more interesting than just that walk. Gemma has faced some challenges in life, and even considered suicide at one point, but it’s clear that we’re looking at someone who is a survivor. More than a survivor - Gemma is an activist who strives not only to fit into the world, but to help make others fit in. Born a girl but not never comfortable with that designation, and bullied because of it. Victim of sexual abuse by a priest, but religious nonetheless. Child of divorce, but part of a loving family who accepted them. This is a person who has more than enough reason to be bitter or negative or depressed. There’s none of that. This is a person who has used their own struggles to move forward and help others along the way.
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September 21, 2024Hickey was a keynote speaker at the APLA conference this year, so that's why I picked up this book from the CBRL. I enjoyed the miniature essays in stream-of-conscious style recalling moments of their life, but it did start feeling a little formulaic after a while. Anything of significance seemed to have symbolic meaning rooted in something that occurred when they were under ten, which I understand how making those connections can be useful when putting words into prose, but it got a little repetitive.
The most insightful segments of the book to me were when Hickey was describing their work and past projects with various non-profit and governmental groups. Unfortunately I didn't feel that we got enough of those types of stories.
The most insightful segments of the book to me were when Hickey was describing their work and past projects with various non-profit and governmental groups. Unfortunately I didn't feel that we got enough of those types of stories.
May 1, 2022
I appreciate and value the author's wilIingness to openly share their personal story in this way. I usuaĺly am fine with non-linear books but in this case I found it sometimes hard to follow the jumping timelines and now which point in the authors personal history and story we were at. The commitment to not include names for many people included in the story was understandable but also added an element of confusion.
November 24, 2020
4.8/5.0
Hidden Gems
There were no limits in literature, unlike in real life.
Sometimes the longest and roughest road you'll ever travel is the one that leads you back to yourself.
Hidden Gems
There were no limits in literature, unlike in real life.
Sometimes the longest and roughest road you'll ever travel is the one that leads you back to yourself.
January 16, 2021
2.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed the author’s insights and definitely learned a few things, some of which were eye-opening and jaw-dropping, but the format of the book was a bit hard to follow for me and I think the lack of flow took away from the message at times.
I enjoyed the author’s insights and definitely learned a few things, some of which were eye-opening and jaw-dropping, but the format of the book was a bit hard to follow for me and I think the lack of flow took away from the message at times.
January 19, 2024
Worth reading. 3.5/5 Provides insight into the journey of healing and discovery of the author. Anything Newfoundland is worth reading, and love expanding my worldview through the stories and perspectives of others.
December 10, 2020
A strong first book for the author. Stories were compelling and poignant.
May 14, 2022
Very well written. A powerful account of Gemma’s struggles …..absorbing.
June 22, 2022
Well crafted, entertaining, provocative and inspiring
November 1, 2022
Loved it! So interesting to learn some of the history of religion in Newfoundland and all of its many influences.
March 25, 2023
A very oped book about Gemma Hickey. Gemma I wish you and your wife all the very best in your future, stay strong
July 9, 2023
Very enjoyable book. The timeline was challenging to follow at times, but overall it was an interesting story!
August 26, 2023
Thank you Gemma for sharing your story, and all you have done and continue to do. I learned so much reading this book.
September 20, 2024
Fantastic book.
March 10, 2021
The description of this book is so accurate that I had to include it.
"On July 2, 2015, influential social activist Gemma Hickey began a 908km walk across the island of Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. Almost Feral celebrates the community of support that gathered around this journey and recounts Hickey's remarkable story of self discovery which led to the realization that they are transgender. In this thought-provoking and wide ranging autobiography. Hickey counters memories of sexual assault, bullying, and depression with inspiring reflections on faith, love, family, individual and communal identity, sex, gender, and acceptance."
I don't know Gemma personally, but they are a regular personality in NL media. I really enjoyed this story and did purchase a t-shirt from their fundraising because I admired their bravery in speaking out about a very difficult part of our history. It's only by acknowledging and addressing sexual abuse that we can move forward and try to keep it from ever happening again.
"On July 2, 2015, influential social activist Gemma Hickey began a 908km walk across the island of Newfoundland to raise awareness and funds for survivors of religious institutional abuse. Almost Feral celebrates the community of support that gathered around this journey and recounts Hickey's remarkable story of self discovery which led to the realization that they are transgender. In this thought-provoking and wide ranging autobiography. Hickey counters memories of sexual assault, bullying, and depression with inspiring reflections on faith, love, family, individual and communal identity, sex, gender, and acceptance."
I don't know Gemma personally, but they are a regular personality in NL media. I really enjoyed this story and did purchase a t-shirt from their fundraising because I admired their bravery in speaking out about a very difficult part of our history. It's only by acknowledging and addressing sexual abuse that we can move forward and try to keep it from ever happening again.
October 20, 2021
Gemma's journeys, both personal and literal, are inspiring. The book really benefits from its structure, which alternates tales from their 2015 fundraising and awareness walk across the province for survivors of sexual abuse by members of the clergy, with personal essays on their childhood, activism, marriage, divorce, abuse and the church. Their essays about growing up, the abuse they suffered and the impact on their later life, as well as the help and support found through family, friends, partners, therapy and - somewhat surprisingly - members of the church, help the reader understand Hickey's activism while also driving the book forward. Almost Feral is a compelling read from one of the more important figures in the province's contemporary political, feminist and LGTBQ2S+ landscape.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews