Heretics Anonymous

By: Katie Henry

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year!

Put an atheist in a strict Catholic school? Expect comedy, chaos, and an Inquisition. The Breakfast Club meets Saved! in debut author Katie Henry’s hilarious novel about a band of misfits who set out to challenge their school, one nun at a time. Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Robyn Schneider.

When Michael walks through the doors of Catholic school, things can’t get much worse. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow atheist at that. Only this girl, Lucy, isn’t just Catholic . . . she wants to be a priest.

Lucy introduces Michael to other St. Clare’s outcasts, and he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, where he can be an atheist, Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants, and Eden can practice paganism.

Michael encourages the Heretics to go from secret society to rebels intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies one stunt at a time. But when Michael takes one mission too far—putting the other Heretics at risk—he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom or rely on faith, whatever that means, in God, his friends, or himself.

A story with layers

Listen. Let yourself think.

Michael Crouch was excellent, bringing the story and characters to life and letting them tell it.

Ages 13-99.
A story for anyone, of any religion or of no religion, any sexuality, any skin color or cultural background.
This is a story about how people are people, and our different beliefs don’t have to divide us.

Funny, Cute

the narrator annoyed me, which is why I listened to it at 1.2 speed, and then it was okay.

overall, very cute concept. The writing made me laugh frequently which is what kept me in.

I it was refreshing to hear a book that addresses some of the ways that religious people and atheists view each other. you know like that moment when he asks Lucy why are you religious? you're smart enough not to be. when people say things like that especially you know because they're always like you know either something's true or it's not and they're just totally missing the point about faith and what faith is and what faith is for and it was cool to see that and not in a like you know oh you believe in the Bible well look what else the Bible says which is clearly abominations you know in a kind of argumentative way like in keeping faith it was so it was it was nice to see you know that those questions were asked and that and that and that Lucy answered.
I'm a little unsure about the end. what like that's what happens you know like like there were so many other conflicts being set up that could have climaxed and instead he just had a temper tantrum and blue things up.

A great story, and the perfect narrator to go along with it.

The story was interesting; the characters felt so real because of the way the story portrays their differences in views, their relationships with each other, and the way their actions affect each other. In addition to that, the narration done by Michael Crouch is so perfect for this book and he’s got such an easy voice to listen to.

Not a comedy

It’s a good book, good story but there’s little to nothing comedy about it. Narrator is good, but tends to be a little bit wooden at times. Maybe it’s just a quirk of his voice.

A Good Book

“The” Good Book is front and center in this dramedy about the meaning of love, morality, rules, and family. Narrated by the incomparable Michael Crouch, we transfer to St. Claire High School as Juniors with atheist protagonist Michael, whose vagabond childhood, has made him weary of creating any attachments. His father takes every promotion, regardless of location, and has moved his family four times in ten years. The school is burdened by Catholic tradition which at times makes little rational sense. Several students who rail at hypocrisy and the dress code gather to create an underground society known as Heretics Anonymous. But, this is only the beginning of the story. As we experience the trials and tribulations of the characters, we find something extraordinary and rare in a book —humor, peace, and grace. This is truly a good book.