I wholeheartedly agree with the previous comment by zakiue, this was a beautifully written story about homosexual love in the 70s with a happy outlook without disregarding the general disapproval of society. The story-telling through diary entries and the connection with the nephew gave the story a really sentimental atmosphere which brings out the way their love bloomed. I definitely recommend! Even more so because it is only 10 chapters, though it definitely felt like more.

Even though the story didn't end the way I wanted or hoped to end, it deserves 10/10. The art is beautiful and the story is well written, you can feel, that the author really thought it through.

SPOILER:
Regarding the ending. I understand that this was the author's decision, to make the ending like that, but I just can't understand the characters. I mean if they really loved each other that much as they claimed it, how could they be apart for so long or even be fine with never meeting again... Maybe that's the only thing I'm missing from the story. The thoughts and feelings of Gene, while he was apart. Did he really never plan to go back to Trevor? Okay, he wanted to study, explore, find himself, etc. but was he really okay with never seeing someone he loved so much? Trevor's side I can understand it a little bit better because of the journal.
Then they meet again by luck (so to say). And yeah, after so many years, feelings can change, so it could be they don't love each other anymore, it is just friendship. But I think you should be able to decide, which one. If it's still love, maybe you need some time to catch up on with each other because of being apart for so long, but then get back together. However, if it's not LOVE, just LIKE, why moving together..? Hmmm..
I just feel sorry, because it feels like they still love each other, and loved each other all along, but they wasted sooo many years for being apart.
But that's just my POV.
Still loved the manga

I absolutely LOVE The Scene of My Rumspringa, of which this is a spin-off. But Dear Gene is my new favorite.

This is such a lovely story, made even more touching through the younger Gene's perspective. The flashbacks are very well paced—the whole thing is very well paced. It feels longer than it is, in a good way. Like, it should be difficult to cover so much ground in only 10 chapters, but it doesn't feel like anything was left out. Of course, that being said... I'd love to read more about Gene and Trevor, or about the younger Gene.

I appreciate the way that this manga acknowledges some of the nuance of homosexuality in the 70s-80s-90s without making it the focal point of the story—actually, it's barely a factor at all. But it's not like they're living in some idealized alternate timeline, it still feels grounded in reality. It's just not really relevant to the story. I didn't think of it until afterwards, but as a reader, it was a huge relief to read a story that felt realistic but not like persecution porn (iykwim).

... Last updated on February 7th, 2023, 7:38pm