A beautifully written novel

Murray Out of Water
 - Hailey Carrell
   Queer Lit Collective

Note to readers: Although this book follows Murray’s exploration of gender identity, the pronouns used throughout are she/her, so I use those in my review.

“Why does being a girl have to look one way
and a boy another?
Who made those rules in the first place,
and why do we still have to listen to them?
Can I make my own rules?
And if I do, what does that mean for me?”

Murray feels at home by the ocean. She loves the sounds, the creatures, and her ocean magic. But after a hurricane strikes, Murray and her family must move farther inland to stay with her aunt and uncle.

Without the ocean, Murray has no escape from her mother’s insistence on Murray being more “ladylike.” Similar insistences drove her older brother away, and she hasn’t seen or spoken to him since.

Soon, Murray’s magic seems to have disappeared. As Murray settles into this new normal, she grows closer to her nonbinary cousin and her aunt and uncle, who support Murray the way she wishes her mother did.

Murray finds a safe space in a local roller rink that hosts roller derby and drag shows. She also befriends Dylan, who seems to have his own magic. As he helps Murray try to rediscover her magic, she begins to find the courage to start exploring her own identity- she’s not quite a girl, but not quite a boy either.

Will Murray be able to regain her magic and the strength to stand up to her family and express her true self?

“Most of the time I feel like Murray, but I don’t think I have a word for that yet.”

This novel is beautifully written in verse. It reads quickly and feels very real, with magical realism elements thrown in.

Murray’s struggles with her family are also very authentic, with her mother adamant that Murray wear dresses and act like a proper lady. This experience is all too common with queer youth, and it is portrayed with heartbreaking accuracy. The film captures found family and perfectly shows the importance of queer kids finding trusted adults.

The roller rink is a prime example of a safe space for queer youth, with Tim as a kind, supportive adult presence in the kids’ lives. Murray’s relationship with her non-binary cousin, Blake, illustrates the importance of representation. Murray sees her cousin living their truth, which inspires Murray to find that truth for herself.

I have read Murray Out of Water three times since it came out in 2024, and I can see myself coming back to it many more times.

The Gayly online. 10/6/26 @ 6:48 p.m. CST.