ARC Review: “These Heathens” by Mia McKenzie

“These Heathens” by Mia McKenzie

Publishing Date: June 17, 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length: 272 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

Where do you get an abortion in 1960 Georgia, especially if the town midwife goes to the same church as your parents? For seventeen-year-old Doris Steele, the answer is Atlanta, where her favorite teacher, Mrs. Lucas, calls upon her brash, wealthy childhood best friend, Sylvia, for help. While waiting to hear from the doctor who has agreed to do the procedure, Doris spends the weekend scandalized by, but drawn to, the people who move in and out of Sylvia’s celebrities whom Doris has seen in the pages of Jet and Ebony, political leaders like Coretta Scott King and Diane Nash, women who dance close together, atheists! And even more shocking? Mrs. Lucas seems right at home.

The young people Doris encounters are no less surprising. When he’s not flirting too hard or talking too much, Sylvia’s nephew, Dexter, brings Doris into the heart of Atlanta’s civil rights movement, where some activists practice nonviolence to prepare for sit-ins, while others carry guns to protect Black families from the Klan.

From the guests at a queer kickback to the student activists at a SNCC conference, Doris suddenly finds herself surrounded by so many people who seem to know exactly who or what they want. Doris knows she doesn’t want a baby, but what does she want? Will this trip help her find out?

Review:

From the synopsis of the story, These Heathens, had me hooked into obtaining a early copy for review. I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into the novel, but was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

McKenzie crafts a very engaging narrative of a coming-of-age story set during the Civil Rights era while also highlighting events from the past. Doris, our main character, comes from a small town in Georgia and has her worldview opened up when she spends time in Atlanta. Coming from a sheltered and very religious background, she is shocked by the “heathen like” behavior of people that live in the big city. It’s a a spin on the fish-out-of-water take that force Doris to question everything she’s ever known and sit with her discomfort of her narrow-minded view. Throughout her journey we are treated to a colorful cast of characters that ground the novel in realism, but also offer depth to themes of the story.

The novel touches on many serious topics but does so in a way that opens itself to larger discussions about race, sexuality, identity, and abortion. Doris has to face the dilemma of being her own woman and finding out what that means to her. Her one-on-one moments with other women in the story give her a hope for the future instead of the limited life she’s been giving during many quiet moments of conversation in the novel:

“When you think about it. Men can give their lives to a cause, or they can keep their lives for themselves. It seems to me that women don’t get to choose that way , because our lives already belong to everyone else. We’re obligated to our mothers and fathers, our husbands and children, to everyone before ourselves. Our lives are never really ours, to give away or to keep.”

As a whole what made this reading experience so memorable for me what that it was so humorous. Doris is a well-written fleshed out leading lady with snark and witty banter that rivals many of her encounters in the novel. I was surprised at how much I laughed throughout the book. I feel like that is the definite strength of McKenzie’s writing of how she is able to balance humor with serious topics throughout the novel. I enjoyed every moment of the story and my only complaint is that the novel ended to soon for my liking.

I would recommend this to readers who love historical fiction, stories with heart, and a journey of self-discovery. I will definitely be seeking more of Mckenzie’s writing going forward.

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this novel from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.