Abstract

Carter Sickels’ The Prettiest Star explores the interplay of fluidity and found family amid the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in rural Appalachia during the 1980s. This novel confronts the pervasive ignorance surrounding the AIDS crisis, exacerbated by a conservative Christian culture and the media’s dissemination of fear-based narratives. As the focal character of this novel, Brian, returns to his hometown of Chester, Ohio, he grapples with familial and societal rejection while confronting the reality of his HIV-positive diagnosis. Sickels illustrates a profound evolution from prejudice to empathy, reflecting the broader societal shifts prompted by the crisis – specifically in Appalachia. The narrative highlights the vital role of mutual aid within marginalized communities, embodied by characters like Annie and Andrew, who challenge traditional norms of caregiving and redefine family. Ultimately, The Prettiest Star serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity for intersectional understanding and collective support in addressing health crises, emphasizing that the struggle against discrimination and the embrace of fluidity can lead to personal and communal revolutions.

Keywords

Appalachian Literature, Queer Literature, AIDS Crisis

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