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4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
99 global ratings
5 star
74%
4 star
15%
3 star
4%
2 star
3%
1 star
4%
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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Anthony J. Forrest
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is so well written. These characters came to life. It’s a powerful love story with a painful truth and reality of its time. I was angry and upset with Raymond but understood him at the same time. My heart grew and shrank throughout the story. I wished for better for Raymond. I felt and understood his fear, yet I hoped and wished he would conquer it and live his truest desires. I can imagine his struggles and experienced those choices myself in later years. This story was still so moving.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I've waited years to read a book like this
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023
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I don't know that I've ever raced so quickly through a book, feeling every word in my soul. I rant hurried. Not one bit. But I could feel every word. Tears, often. And barks of laughter. (Luckily no one was around.) Whatever you think this book might be, it isn't. Read it and find out for yourself.
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DAE
5.0 out of 5 stars Raymond
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
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The ending was a beginning for me. The final pages were the rebirth of the love found in Papa and Joey's apartment in 1964 when Joe met Joey and Papa in Paris. A regeneration. Or, as used in the novel, a mutation.
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Dudley Ristow
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant read
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2023
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Unimaginative title to a poignant narrative of a love that was never allowed to blossom. Beautiful prose in letters that leap years. Best book in this genre since 'Bitter Eden'
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Matthew DuBois
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful love story and history lesson
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
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The story of Raymond and Joey is so beautiful, the chances lost. The march of history and changing view of homosexuality.
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Mark Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Poignant
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2022
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A deeply moving story that was hard to put down even as I needed several Kleenex to get through the end.
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Jack Gardner
5.0 out of 5 stars don’t hesitate on this one
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
It is a beautiful, sometimes painful read. A nearly perfect novel. To be honest, at the end I’m nearly speechless.
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Onion Moon
1.0 out of 5 stars too wordy about nothing….
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Times change, but people really don’t….there were some good situations that could have been explained or explored…. Mostly, many people that live in their heads don’t off themselves. Could have been better. This author had too many opinions from others. I would have love to have read his first draft.
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Top reviews from other countries

Stephen Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2023
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A story of love, loss, joy and heartache. Characters I loved and felt I knew personally. Would highly recommend.
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d braniff-herbert
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly transformative read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2023
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I’ve read this book twice already as it has totally consumed me in a way which hasn’t happened since I read ‘A little life’.

What Kenyon does here is re-write the rules on narrative and heartache through a prism of LGBT+ oppression and, of course, liberation.

It’s a journey that demonstrates that ‘it gets better’ is not a generational right and how our personal liberation is something we, and those who are supposed to love us, nurture.

By the end of the book you are changed - and you will tell others to take the journey.
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Zoe Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable and beautifully written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2022
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I knew from the first few paragraphs that I would enjoy this. I got lost in the world, loved the writing style, cared about the characters, was able to picture the surroundings - and that’s quite a big deal for someone who doesn’t have a mind’s eye and only manages to stomach about 3 books a year. The author has talent and I now await whatever he next produces.
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M. Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2022
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What a beautifully written and delicate book this is. Characters you instantly warm too and get behind, based on a wonderful story. There were genuine moments when I had to put the book down, pause for a moment and reflect on the emotions it stirred, before continuing.

A deep and meaningful story of love and life.
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GeoffSetter
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully crafted tale of love
Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
It ticked all of the boxes for me. Delightfully chosen adjectives skilfully woven into a tale of hard choices in a difficult time, loss and being found. Although I needed to take a break during the Paris visit, and I wiped tears from my eyes more than once, it was a beautiful story crafted artfully. I’m looking forward to his next œvre.
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