A Comforting Display of Polyamory (Review of “It Will Be Hard”)

It’s no surprise that I enjoy queer representation in fiction, so when I was directed to a story with a cast of queer people of color, I was beyond excited to check it out. I was even more excited when I got the opportunity to get a copy of it to review! It Will Be Hard by Hien Pham is exactly the story that you should read if you’re looking for a graphic novel with diverse queer representations that features some unconventional relationship dynamics.

The story follows Harold an Arthur, a couple with nothing but love for each other, though we quickly start to see that the tension in their relationship lies within Harold’s sexual needs not being filled due to Arthur’s asexuality. Though they understand that the healthiest approach for them would be for Harold to sleep with another man on occasion, this starts to offer some of its own problems. Without offering too many spoilers, the story follows them as they figure out their boundaries of being in an open relationship, what they need from each other, and remind each other that their love is, and always will be, a very important part of their lives, even though “it will be hard.” (You know I had to slide that in there somehow.)

What’s exciting about the graphic novel is that it’s interactive! At several points throughout the story, you can choose a “path” to take that will show you a certain character’s backstory, or show a situation from a different character’s point of view. It’s neat, because it gives you a reason to jump back into the story and see what the other choice will reveal, and how it will fit into the story as you continue to read it. Reading is already a pretty magical activity, and choosing which backstories you get really creates an immersive experience for the reader.

My absolute favorite thing about this graphic novel is how candidly and realistically it handles the topic of polyamory. When the subject of polyamorous/open relationships comes up, we often see it become polarized against monogamy, the two sides arguing about why their side is better, and about why the other is unhealthy. It Will Be Hard portrays open relationships in a way where it’s mutually beneficial, but not necessarily easier than monogamy. We see these two men struggle with the idea of them figuring out how to navigate their sex lives in a way that’s healthy for both of them individually, while also trying to figure out a healthy way to maintain their own relationship. The way they talk about their relationship is so refreshing, and I think it’s something that we can learn from, no matter what kind of relationship we wind up in.

I also loved the relationship dynamic between Harold and Arthur. I thought their warm nature toward each other was perfect for show how well you can tend to a relationship when you approach it with compassion. Given that their relationship was the center of the story, it was enjoyable to see its nuances as the novel progressed, and how it was both ideal and flawed. Seeing them struggle to express themselves, but seeing how rewarding it was for them to talk through their issues was very powerful. I can see this being a good piece of representation to look to when it comes to trying to make a polyamorous relationship work.

If you’re looking for a fluffy story that gets into some real and relevant topics, It Will Be Hard would be a great choice. The dynamic between Harold and Arthur immediately pulled me in, and seeing their relationship blossom was incredibly satisfying. The novel takes a relationship dynamic that may seem foreign to others, and it shows that it can be just as attainable as it is healthy.

You can purchase Hien Pham’s digital graphic novel here! I highly recommend it!