Author’s Note:

Married A Stranger is a six page comic which covers the story of my graphic memoir in progress, based on my 2014 memoir, Holy Candy: Why I Joined A Cult And Married A Stranger. In the graphic version, I visualized some of the internal aspects of the story. So my brother has a halo, my boyfriend has wings, and a tiny angel and demon accompany me on my adventures. The story shows how–when life doesn’t make any sense–cults can appear to offer easy answers. 

For the comic, I found one or two things about each character that would define them, such as the main character’s dark undereye circles and the Spiritual Father’s spiraled eyes. Although comics tell stories in a linear fashion, drawing a story allows for the freedom and intuition of poetry. In a drawing, a person’s experiences can be expressed by lines that express flight, inspiration, love, or awe. I hope you enjoy this micro version of my story. 

*Please click on each page to enlarge*

Yolande Brener has worked as an actress, filmmaker, singer in an all-girl band and disciple of an alleged Messiah. The story behind her award-winning memoir, Holy Candy, was featured in Fabulous Magazine, The Sun, The Daily Mail, Metro UK, Take a Break, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, and Reelz’s Cult of Personality in 2020, and Bella Magazine in 2021. Her work has been published in New York Press, Fiction Magazine, Promethean, and Harlem World. Her short story, Swan Sister, is featured in Seal Press’s Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions. Brener’s short films as part of Brenimara won five awards in 2020. 

Yolande Brener teaches English at City College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. She is currently working on a graphic memoir version of Holy Candy.