In Finna, Cipri explores the very real situation of messy relationships through the lens of an absurdly terrifying (and sometimes comforting) multiverse of possibilities. While jumping between dangerous worlds and narrowly leaping away from their own deaths (literally, at times), the two come to a new, tentative understanding of one another. These are the things I thought about as I read Finna by queer and trans/ nonbinary author, Nino Cipri, whose work I’ve reviewed once before this! It follows the story of Ava and her recent ex-partner, Jules, as they go off in search of an old woman who got lost in a wormhole in the middle of the popular Swedish furniture and home goods store (no, not the one you’re thinking) where they work. And I can easily think of cases in which relationship guidance from others (whether they be friends or marriage counselors or what have you) is out of the question. I’ve also seen how we often don’t get representation in media about reconciling after dating. These aren’t unique to LGBTQIA+ relationships in the slightest, but it is something I’ve seen a lot.

Maybe it’s because we never learned how to have a healthy relationship with anyone, romantic or not. Maybe it’s because somewhere deep inside we think we won’t get anything better. Maybe it’s because the happy memories outweigh the painful ones. But then, even though there are clear signs that the relationship is going poorly, we cling to it. For LGBTQIA+ folks in this society that does not fully embrace us, we sometimes come into relationships with varying levels of trauma, a lack of communication skills, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Finna by nino cipri