Michelle Hart

About Michelle Hart

      Michelle Hart is a newer published author within the LGBTQ+ community. She obtained her master's degree in fine arts. Michelle also has BA in not only English, but Philosophy as well. Originally, she began authoring short stories for Online Publications such as Joyland and One Teen Story. Hart's novel was celebrated at the One Teen Story Literary Debutante Ball, there, she was interviewed and got to discuss her choices in writing. Her career led her to be an assistant editor for Oprah's magazine. Michelle Hart identifies herself as queer. She states that "in some way being queer is about trying to figure out when you have begun life," with that, it took her 10 years to work on her debut novel. Michelle even credits literature for helping her grasp her sexuality. Reading was a big piece of her childhood and discovering characters such as Kate Kane, Bat woman, and Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As a reviewer herself, she focuses less on the critics and more on the readers. She says reviews make her uncomfortable, but she would feel even more so if no one was reviewing it (2).

We Do What We Do in the Dark

 This novel, published in May of 2022, has sparked so many conversations about identity and how it can affect your life. The novel is very "intimate" and goes into a tale of a college student who is infatuated with their female Professor. A meeting on campus began a lengthy love affair between the two forbidden lovers. The main character, named Mallory, battles with the idea of grief, loss, and love. 

Many larger sources have commented on Michelle Harts novel. The New York Times says this book is "erotic, and sometimes devastating," "less about the horror of sex and romance and more about the thrill of quiet despair and ruin."(1) Smaller sources and other published authors have also jumped at the opportunity to read and review Hart's novel.  Readers of We Do What We Do in-- the Dark find themselves either relating to the main character or feeling her emotions as they page through the novel. 
Michelle Hart relates to her main character in the sense that she is also an only child, whose also lost their mother, and who is also part of the LGBTQ community. (2) The LA Times gives this novel a great look. Reviewers there say the book is about "embracing desire and, in doing so, embracing herself (3). 
 Goodreads describes the character as "desiring not only the woman but who also the idea of who she is when they are together," this allows for questions about power dynamics within our society as well as an idea of the lesbian experience for the main character and her older counterpart. Michelle Hart felt personally connected with her Character as they both lost their mothers and they both struggled with their identity. The book jumps throughout periods in Mallory's life and shows how this relationship continues to impact her life after it has ended. 

Final look

After reading all of the positive reviews on We Do What We Do in the Dark, it is safe to say if you enjoy this type of work, Michelle Harts novel will be no exception. Since learning about this book, I have read multiple of her short stories, and they are never uninteresting. The best stories, in my opinion, are the ones that come from the darkest part of the writer. I think this is what Michelle Hart does in her storytelling. 

works

Koul, Scaachi. “A Look at Forbidden Campus Romance from a New Angle.” The New York Times, The     New York Times, 1 May 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/books/review/we-do-what-we-do-in-       the-dark-michelle-hart.html.

“Michelle Hart Author Interview.” BookBrowse.Com, www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/3667/author/michelle-hart#interview. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

“Review: A Coming-out Story in MeToo Camouflage: Michelle Hart’s Shadowy, Sly Debut Novel.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2022, www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2022-05-11/a-coming-out-story-in-metoo-camouflage-michelle-hart-debut-novel.