Angelo Tijssens's debut novel tells the poignant story of a young gay man returning to his hometown after his abusive mother’s death. Through an impressionistic narrative style, Tijssens emphasizes the subjectivity of trauma and the inadequacy of understanding it intellectually. He draws from his own tumultuous childhood on the Belgian coast and personal experiences as a writer and actor. Tijssens reflects on the challenges of reconciling with his past, suggesting that meaningful storytelling often emerges only after time has passed, revealing the deep scars left by abuse.
"We have enough books already about trying to understand. And speaking from experience, it doesn't fucking matter. It doesn't matter if you can explain it, it doesn't make it any better."
"I always say it's hard to write about fire when you're burning. I couldn't have written this story when I was 21, but now it's become stuff that is there [for me to use]."
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