Adrian Carter is a high schooler from the Halifax north end grappling with body image issues worsened by a relentless bully. When his bully torments him after a gym-class weigh in, he decides to get fit, and takes up kickboxing.

Through his journey, he meets Mal Woods, who finds herself drawn to him, even though he battles the belief that his self-worth is tied to his physical appearance. 

For Adrian to attain an idealized version of himself, and to feel Worthy of Love, he resorts to disordered eating, through both bulimia and anorexia. 

This agonizing experience takes a toll on his mental health, hobbies, and relationships, ultimately leading to a profound transformation. Those Adrian least expected to rally around him do, guiding him towards a path of rediscovering happiness, empathy, and self-love.

Worthy of Love by Andre Fenton thoughtfully delves into the impact of representation, empathy, and self-love, while confronting the societal barriers posed by toxic masculinity, racial disparities, and mental health challenges. 

In conversation, Triny Finlay and Andre Fenton discuss the essence of the narrative, underlining the intersections of race, mental health, and masculinity. 

Fenton’s own journey mirrors Adrian’s struggles and he talks about drawing upon personal experiences to shed light on the importance of authentic representation and the road to healing. He also touches on his follow-up novel, The Summer Between Us, and his speculative fiction novel, Annaka.

On the topic of the intersection of race and mental illness, Fenton highlights the unequal access to mental health resources within Black communities, shedding light on a critical issue that demands collective attention. 

‘Good cries are so good’

Toxic masculinity in society is also dissected, with Fenton revealing how societal expectations often compel men to mask vulnerability. 

Fenton emphasizes that true strength lies in embracing one’s emotions and authentic self, which he poignantly captures in a pivotal scene where Adrian “cries for all the other times he didn’t let himself cry.” 

“Many men don’t let themselves be vulnerable, even though good cries are so good,” Fenton says.  

To Fenton, it all stems from representation. “We really see the world around us through the movies, book, and video games.” Fenton stated that if his book can help spread representation through media, less people will feel alone in their experiences, which might allow them to speak up, or to break systemic patterns. 

Finlay commends Fenton for his ability to express all kinds of love in this book, self love being the most important. Fenton affirms that this was one of his goals; he wanted to showcase the difficult journey and the need for emotional maturity, as well as the importance of true self love.

Fenton’s insight, “owning yourself is also owning your truth,” encapsulates the essence of this transformative journey. 

This engaging conversation serves as a call for heightened empathy, urging readers to approach others with open hearts and open ears. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences through media, Fenton aspires to diminish the isolation many individuals feel, fostering a space for authentic dialogue and the disruption of systemic cycles. 

Subscribe to Atlantic Books Today! At $15 for two editions a year, we’ll ensure you remain the best-read person in the room.