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Blessed Cure
Finalist of the Jabuti Award in the category of Comics and winner of the HQ Mix Trophy for Best Web Comic. Since he was a little kid, Acácio do Nascimento was a different boy from the others. He preferred to play with dolls than to play football, the hula hoop interested him more than strollers and cowboy pistols. Frightened by the possibility of their son being a homosexual, Mara and Galdino subject Acácio from the age of five to various treatments for him to become a normal boy like the others. Blessed Cure shows what it is like to have a life marked by homophobia and by sexual reversal therapies popularly known as 'gay cure'. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mário César is an awarded LGBTQ+ brazilian author. He publishes comic books since 2006 and has won 4 times the HQ MIX Trophy, brazilian most important comic’s awards, and also has been two times finalist of the Jabuti Awards, biggest brazilian books’ awards, in the category of Best Comic Book. He was one the fisrt openly LGBTQ+ brazilian authors and also organizes, POC CON, a comic-con where all the exhibitors are LGBTQ+.
Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2021
46 people want to read
About the author
Mário César
28 books4 followersNascido em 1982 e graduado em Design Gráfico pela Universidade de Brasília, o filho
de Maria José e Auto César já foi resenhista do site UniversoHQ (universohq.com.br)
e trabalhou na Editora Via Lettera como diretor de arte e editor. Também já foi colaborador
e organizador da Front, uma renomada antologia de quadrinhos, contos e ilustrações nacionais.
Atualmente é chargista do informativo Jornalistas & Cia (jornalistasecia.com.br), e atua
como ilustrador e designer gráfico freelancer, além de publicar tirinhas para o Top Blog
(topblog.com.br/quadrinhos) da MixMD.
de Maria José e Auto César já foi resenhista do site UniversoHQ (universohq.com.br)
e trabalhou na Editora Via Lettera como diretor de arte e editor. Também já foi colaborador
e organizador da Front, uma renomada antologia de quadrinhos, contos e ilustrações nacionais.
Atualmente é chargista do informativo Jornalistas & Cia (jornalistasecia.com.br), e atua
como ilustrador e designer gráfico freelancer, além de publicar tirinhas para o Top Blog
(topblog.com.br/quadrinhos) da MixMD.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 24, 2025
This book randomly came on my radar while I was checking books in at my library job. The translation isn’t exactly perfect, but it’s still an impactful book that has a lot to say about conversion therapy and growing up in a homophobic environment and finding yourself.
November 18, 2023
Novembre 2023. 4,5/5 Ça fait mal de lire ça. De voir comment la sexualité a été (et continue) d’être diabolisée. Que des parents sont devenus des bourreaux. Que des enfants/adultes portent des traumas si importants!
J’étais au courant des thérapies de conversion mais tous les témoignages demeurent comme une gifle puissante de la part du genre humain. Je ne cessais de me dire: « ben voyons, comment tu peux faire ça à ton enfant?! ».
Le travail artistique m’a plu et l’utilisation du rose, du bleu, c’était parfait.
Bref, ce récit sous forme de roman graphique fait réfléchir.
J’étais au courant des thérapies de conversion mais tous les témoignages demeurent comme une gifle puissante de la part du genre humain. Je ne cessais de me dire: « ben voyons, comment tu peux faire ça à ton enfant?! ».
Le travail artistique m’a plu et l’utilisation du rose, du bleu, c’était parfait.
Bref, ce récit sous forme de roman graphique fait réfléchir.
August 4, 2025
Rien de bien nouveau, mais une nouvelle approche inconnue pour moi à travers l’intrigue qui se déroule au Brésil avec des contextes politiques et historiques différents
La résolution à la fin est trop rapide cependant, on dirait qu’il manque un chapitre, on rate toute cette subtilité qui est de s’assumer et la négociation avec la foi religieuse qu’il a, tout se passe en une double page et c’est dommage
Beau dessins cependant et usage sympathique des couleurs
La résolution à la fin est trop rapide cependant, on dirait qu’il manque un chapitre, on rate toute cette subtilité qui est de s’assumer et la négociation avec la foi religieuse qu’il a, tout se passe en une double page et c’est dommage
Beau dessins cependant et usage sympathique des couleurs
June 24, 2024
Une lecture poignante sur la réalité d’un jeune obligé de suivre des thérapies de conversion et autres essais cliniques. J’ai adoré le mélange de couleurs bleu et rose pour illustrer le rapport binaire qu’on entretient avec les objets, activités et espaces.
May 16, 2023
I enjoyed this graphic novel immensely. The main character’s struggles and life experience dealing with a mixture of religious, familial, and medical conversion therapy are heart-tugging, but just as important is that the world, and the people in it, change. There is hope and a happy ending, despite the past. The art is evocative, and the color symbolism of blue and pink used to excellent effect to highlight emotional states or societal roles.
May 2, 2024
Mario Cesare’s “Blessed Cure” is one of those books that you term as a “find.” I chanced upon it in my library and I almost didn’t pick it up because I wasn’t sure if I had space in my bag for this big-sized book. Somehow I did. And after reading the book it was like I did what the book was asking all of us to do - make space, to accommodate.
Blessed Cure tells the story of Acacio, a closeted gay man from the 1960s to 2017. The story with Acacio sitting at a gay bar as an old man. He starts talking to one of the young women who get him to tell his story. Acacio liked playing all the “girls’ games” as a child, he liked dressing up, and he was always…different. Acacio’s parents, who strongly believe in traditions and are devout Christians, worry about their son’s demeanour. They are ashamed of him and try to “cure” him of his proclivity. They try beating it out of him, getting a psychologist to talk it out of him, and finally getting him married because isn’t marriage the ultimate cure for everything? Of course, nothing works and it leads to Acacio ending up frustrated and angry all the time. How does he break through it all?
Mario Cesar’s story is set in Brazil, where the public attitude to gender was strongly religious and traditional. He shows the predominant anti-LGBTQI approach that prevailed until recent times and how the struggle for acceptance was filled with suppression and violence. The translation is excellent and I felt like I was reading a very personal memoir rather than fiction. I loved the artwork, which complements the powerful narrative with bold strokes and colours. Cesar cleverly uses blues and pinks as the dominating colours to represent the gender-assigned colours and then mixes them later on in the story to also represent difference and acceptance.
After a painful journey, Acacio does find hope and beauty in the end. His story is one that must be read because we still have Acacios in every country even today.
Do make space for this book if you find it somewhere.
Blessed Cure tells the story of Acacio, a closeted gay man from the 1960s to 2017. The story with Acacio sitting at a gay bar as an old man. He starts talking to one of the young women who get him to tell his story. Acacio liked playing all the “girls’ games” as a child, he liked dressing up, and he was always…different. Acacio’s parents, who strongly believe in traditions and are devout Christians, worry about their son’s demeanour. They are ashamed of him and try to “cure” him of his proclivity. They try beating it out of him, getting a psychologist to talk it out of him, and finally getting him married because isn’t marriage the ultimate cure for everything? Of course, nothing works and it leads to Acacio ending up frustrated and angry all the time. How does he break through it all?
Mario Cesar’s story is set in Brazil, where the public attitude to gender was strongly religious and traditional. He shows the predominant anti-LGBTQI approach that prevailed until recent times and how the struggle for acceptance was filled with suppression and violence. The translation is excellent and I felt like I was reading a very personal memoir rather than fiction. I loved the artwork, which complements the powerful narrative with bold strokes and colours. Cesar cleverly uses blues and pinks as the dominating colours to represent the gender-assigned colours and then mixes them later on in the story to also represent difference and acceptance.
After a painful journey, Acacio does find hope and beauty in the end. His story is one that must be read because we still have Acacios in every country even today.
Do make space for this book if you find it somewhere.
May 8, 2025
Je remercie la masse critique de Babelio pour l'envoi de ce service presse.
Ce livre est un témoignage terrible, difficile, horrible, qui vous prendra aux tripes. Il subira des piqûres, prendra des pilules, pendant des mois. Cela parle d'homophobie, de thérapies de conversion, de harcèlement. Pour chaque année, il y a une photo relatant les événements de l’époque.
Nous allons suivre cette histoire qui se passe au brésil, au fil des années. Tout commence en 1965, Acacio Do Nascimento, fils de Galdino qui est policier et Mara, une mère au foyer qui est des plus toxique.
C’est une famille très croyante, et quand ils voient leur fils de cinq ans jouer à la poupée et ne pas jouer aux jeux «de garçons», ils ont peur. De quoi ? Que leur fils sois un «pédé». Il demande de l’aide de l’église qui aurait un traitement pour aider Acacio face à cette maladie : il s’agit d’une altération mentale, une immonde maladie, d’après eux.
«Avoir un fils comme ça est la pire chose au monde»
Depuis tout petit, il subit du harcèlement moral et physique à cause de ses cheveux longs. Il sera traité de «tapette», «mauviette» et autres joyeuseté. Plus tard, son père l’emmènera voir des prostituées, pour qu’il «sois normal».
Pour être comme «tous le monde», il se mariera et aura un enfant, il finirons par divorcé. Mais il n’en ai pas heureux pour autant. Il cache toujours son homosexualité, ce qui est douloureux pour lui. Il est prêt à tous, il va dans une secte pour ce le libéré de ses désirs.
Il finira par s’accepter tel qu’il est. «Je suis gay. Sacrément gay»
Ce livre est un témoignage terrible, difficile, horrible, qui vous prendra aux tripes. Il subira des piqûres, prendra des pilules, pendant des mois. Cela parle d'homophobie, de thérapies de conversion, de harcèlement. Pour chaque année, il y a une photo relatant les événements de l’époque.
Nous allons suivre cette histoire qui se passe au brésil, au fil des années. Tout commence en 1965, Acacio Do Nascimento, fils de Galdino qui est policier et Mara, une mère au foyer qui est des plus toxique.
C’est une famille très croyante, et quand ils voient leur fils de cinq ans jouer à la poupée et ne pas jouer aux jeux «de garçons», ils ont peur. De quoi ? Que leur fils sois un «pédé». Il demande de l’aide de l’église qui aurait un traitement pour aider Acacio face à cette maladie : il s’agit d’une altération mentale, une immonde maladie, d’après eux.
«Avoir un fils comme ça est la pire chose au monde»
Depuis tout petit, il subit du harcèlement moral et physique à cause de ses cheveux longs. Il sera traité de «tapette», «mauviette» et autres joyeuseté. Plus tard, son père l’emmènera voir des prostituées, pour qu’il «sois normal».
Pour être comme «tous le monde», il se mariera et aura un enfant, il finirons par divorcé. Mais il n’en ai pas heureux pour autant. Il cache toujours son homosexualité, ce qui est douloureux pour lui. Il est prêt à tous, il va dans une secte pour ce le libéré de ses désirs.
Il finira par s’accepter tel qu’il est. «Je suis gay. Sacrément gay»
October 3, 2024
Triggers in Blessed Cure by Mário Oliveira include, but are not limited to: homophobia, homophobic language, homophobic actions, beatings, sexual images, prostitution, transphobia
One man's life from the 1960s to the 1990s (with the potential for a "now" setting) unfolds as he does everything in his power to not be "so gay." From parents blaming each other, doctors blaming parents, the church blaming everyone to the man blaming himself, we see what society does to pressure us to be "normal" and the horror of not being yourself.
There are a few places that I was uncomfortable with, but I figure that was what the story wanted. It wants you to sit up and pay attention. There also was a plot point I really wish wasn't happening (I am not sure if this is based on Oliveira's life, but even if it was a real event, it wasn't needed.) I liked how the use of pink and blue is used to show you what is happening to the characters personalities, presentation and what "should and shouldn't" be.
One man's life from the 1960s to the 1990s (with the potential for a "now" setting) unfolds as he does everything in his power to not be "so gay." From parents blaming each other, doctors blaming parents, the church blaming everyone to the man blaming himself, we see what society does to pressure us to be "normal" and the horror of not being yourself.
There are a few places that I was uncomfortable with, but I figure that was what the story wanted. It wants you to sit up and pay attention. There also was a plot point I really wish wasn't happening (I am not sure if this is based on Oliveira's life, but even if it was a real event, it wasn't needed.) I liked how the use of pink and blue is used to show you what is happening to the characters personalities, presentation and what "should and shouldn't" be.
March 10, 2024
Contains a depiction of bizarre and harsh conversion therapy, such as bringing a minor to a prostitute repeatedly, various forms of aversion therapy, and your standard pray the gay away. It also highlights the damaging partnership between the mental health establishment and the religious establishment in the 70s and 80s in Brazil. I'm curious about how reality based this depiction was--most of it plausible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
WOW.. definitely a hard read. Very well written book about real life issues of LGBTQ members especially gay men who suffer from religious abuse. Very sad story however I'm glad I read it. This kind of thing should be forced in school because people believe its "fake news"
July 8, 2023
Dit beeldverhaal over conversietherapie is geen opbeurende literatuur, maar wel een aanrader.
November 4, 2023
Desde que li essa HQ já indiquei esse trabalho pra muitos pacientes LGBTQIAP+ 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️. Narrativa incrível sobre o processo de homofobia internalizada de Acácio. Uma criança nascida nos anos 60, vítima de uma cultura brasileira repleta de violência, preconceito, intolerância religiosa e amedrontada pela ditadura
.
Mário César faz uma sensível construção do amadurecimento desse homem permeado por todos esses conflitos até a vida adulta e a formação de sua família. Quanto sofrimento, quanta luta, quanta dor e resiliência foram necessários para que Acácio finalmente se encaixasse na sua verdade e pudesse expressar toda sua inteireza na sociedade!
.
Há mais de 10 anos trabalhando no consultório com diversidade sexual, já acompanhei muitos pacientes trazendo conflitos similares, que nada mais são do que a marca dessa sociedade excludente impressa no inconsciente de cada um. A luta da militância se faz necessária para a promoção da mudança social e cultural. Todos "somos um" com o ambiente em que nos desenvolvemos. Não tem luta maior contra a homofobia internalizada do que a maior conscientização da nossa sociedade!
.
Viva à diversidade, sempre 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🫶
.
Mário César faz uma sensível construção do amadurecimento desse homem permeado por todos esses conflitos até a vida adulta e a formação de sua família. Quanto sofrimento, quanta luta, quanta dor e resiliência foram necessários para que Acácio finalmente se encaixasse na sua verdade e pudesse expressar toda sua inteireza na sociedade!
.
Há mais de 10 anos trabalhando no consultório com diversidade sexual, já acompanhei muitos pacientes trazendo conflitos similares, que nada mais são do que a marca dessa sociedade excludente impressa no inconsciente de cada um. A luta da militância se faz necessária para a promoção da mudança social e cultural. Todos "somos um" com o ambiente em que nos desenvolvemos. Não tem luta maior contra a homofobia internalizada do que a maior conscientização da nossa sociedade!
.
Viva à diversidade, sempre 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🫶
May 12, 2024
La historia no es solo desgarradora, pero te abre a una transformación junto con el personaje principal que resulta dolorosa pero muy linda de seguir. La utilización de los colores para mostrar el cambio en la “masculinidad” normativa resulta un detalle increíble.
Recomiendo este libro.
Recomiendo este libro.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews