Charlie Porter's debut novel portrays Johnny, a young man mourning the loss of his lover Jerry, who died of an Aids-related illness in 1995. As Johnny reflects on his past in a small flat in London, he grapples with anger over the loss of his entire community, a generation decimated by the Aids epidemic. The encroaching tower nearby symbolizes the ongoing devastation and disruption of queer spaces, prompting Johnny to confront his memories of a vibrant pre-Aids queer culture that once thrived, and the pain of its absence in contemporary life.
As Johnny reflects on the changes around him, he realizes that his mourning extends beyond Jerry – it's a wider grief for a lost generation of British gay men.
The novel captures a poignant moment in history, reminding us of the vibrant queer culture that flourished before the Aids crisis while acknowledging its impact.
Porter masterfully weaves the personal and collective histories of a community into Johnny’s narrative, showing how love and loss interplay in shaping identities.
As the tower rises and darkness encroaches, memory floods Johnny’s mind, revealing a complex tapestry of joy and sorrow intertwined with a legacy of resilience.
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