Set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York, this poignant coming-of-age story celebrates the power of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
Like a Love Story is a young adult novel by Abdi Nazemian, released in 2019. Set in New York City, 1989, amidst the AIDS crisis, the novel offers a poignant exploration of queer identity, love, and activism. Through the interconnected lives of its three teenage protagonists–Reza, an Iranian immigrant grappling with his sexuality; Judy, an aspiring fashion designer; and Art, a proudly out teen and Judy’s best friend–the story explores themes of truth, deception, and the fight for love and self-expression in an era marked by fear and discrimination.
When the story opens, Reza has just moved to New York City from Toronto with his mother and new stepfather and stepbrother, and is determined to hide the fact that he is gay. At school, Reza befriends Judy and Art, and soon gets tangled up in a complex romantic web. Judy unwittingly becomes Reza’s girlfriend, even as Reza harbors feelings for Art. The novel examines Reza’s struggle with his identity and the impact on his relationship with Judy and Art, highlighting his journey to self-acceptance and coming out amidst societal challenges. Additionally, through the lens of Art’s photography and activism, as well as Judy’s personal connections to the AIDS epidemic through her activist gay uncle, Like a Love Story pays homage to the resilience and solidarity of the queer community during one of its most devastating crises.
Acclaimed for its heartfelt narrative, richly drawn characters, and evocative portrayal of a critical period in queer history, Like a Love Story is recognized as an important addition to both YA and LGBTQ+ literature. It was named a Stonewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature in 2019, earned a place on the American Library Association’s Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten for 2020, and was a 2020 Audie Award finalist in the Young Adult category. In 2021, Like a Love Story was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
Themes
Queer identity and self-acceptance
Impact of the AIDS crisis on the LGBTQ+ community
Significance of friendship and found family
Struggle with cultural and familial expectations
Role of art and activism in social change
Challenges of coming out
Love, romance, and heartbreak in the face of adversity
Life in New York City in the late 1980s
Setting
Set in New York City, 1989, Like a Love Story captures a pivotal time for the LGBTQ+ community amidst the AIDS crisis. During this era, New York City served as both a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community and a battleground for AIDS activism and awareness. The novel delves into the lives of three teenagers navigating their identities and relationships within this challenging and transformative environment.
The setting plays a crucial role in the story, as the late 1980s were marked by significant societal, cultural, and political shifts, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights and the AIDS epidemic. Specific references to activism, such as the efforts of ACT UP, an organization instrumental in the fight against AIDS, anchor the novel in the real historical movements of the time. The discrimination and dangers faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the courage and resilience demonstrated through activism and solidarity, are palpable within the city's landscape.
Characters
Reza: An Iranian immigrant teenager who moves from Toronto to New York City with his new stepfamily and struggles with his sexuality amid the AIDS crisis.
Judy: An aspiring fashion designer who befriends and falls in love with Reza, unaware of his feelings for her best friend, Art. She has a deep admiration for her uncle, an activist with ACT UP who is gay.
Art: Judy's best friend and the only openly gay teen at their school. Art rebels through his photography, documenting the AIDS crisis.
Stephen: Judy's uncle, a gay man who has AIDS and is involved in activism with ACT UP.
Art’s parents: His mother and father are both conservative and disapprove of his gay identity..
Reza's family: His mother, stepfather, and stepbrother, with whom he moves to New York City from Toronto. His stepbrother initially displays homophobic attitudes.
Jimmy: An ACT UP activist and Stephen’s partner.
Critical reception
Like a Love Story won widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of the late ‘80s queer life in New York City, with reviews highlighting its balanced depiction of romance amid the AIDS crisis and its affecting exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Kirkus Reviews described it as "a truly lovely romance to cherish … deeply moving," while Publishers Weekly (in a starred review) praised its "timeless relevance."
FAQs
What is the historical setting of Like a Love Story?
The novel is set in 1989 in New York City, during the height of the AIDS crisis. This period was marked by significant fear, discrimination, and activism within the LGBTQ+ community.
Who are the main characters in Like a Love Story?
The story revolves around three main characters: Reza, an Iranian boy grappling with his homosexuality; Judy, an aspiring fashion designer who starts dating Reza; and Art, Judy's best friend and the school's only openly gay student, who becomes close to Reza.
What themes does Like a Love Story explore?
This novel explores themes of love, friendship, self-expression, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It also delves into the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay community, activism, and the concept of living authentically in the face of adversity.
How does Like a Love Story address the AIDS crisis?
Like a Love Story discusses the AIDS crisis by showcasing the fear and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the activism of groups like ACT UP, and the personal effects of the epidemic on characters such as Judy's uncle Stephen and through Art’s photography of people with AIDS.
What is the significance of the book’s title?
While a love story drives the plot, the title suggests the deeper themes of human connection, desire for acceptance, and pursuing authentic lives amidst adversity that resonate throughout the novel.
What awards and recognition has Like a Love Story received?
Widely praised by critics, Like a Love Story was a 2020 Audie Awards finalist in the young adult category, earned a place in the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten list of 2020, and received a Stonewall Book Award Honor in 2019. It was also named one of the best young adult novels of all time by TIME magazine.
How does the novel portray the challenges of being gay in the late 1980s?
Through the experiences of Reza and other characters, "Like a Love Story" portrays the intense fear of discrimination and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on individuals and their loved ones. It also explores the internal conflict of accepting one’s sexuality during a time of widespread homophobia and misinformation.
What is the significance of Madonna in the story?
Madonna is portrayed as a symbol of self-expression, freedom, and defiance against societal norms. She represents a source of inspiration and courage for the characters, especially in their quest for identity and acceptance in a prejudiced world.
Quotes
“Hate is just fear in drag.”
“The most important four-letter word in our history will always be LOVE. That’s what we are fighting for. That’s who we are. Love is our legacy.”
“Keep creating beauty.”
“I wish she knew that her ability to even utter all these doubts out loud means she thinks highly enough of herself to respect the emotions inside her. I would never let my doubts leave the prison of my brain.”
“Love might just happen to them, but for us, it’s not as easy. For us, it’s a fight.”
Quick facts
Like a Love Storywasa finalist for the 2020 Audie Awards in the Young Adult category, received an American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten accolade in 2020, and was named a Stonewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature in 2019.
TIME magazine named Like a Love Story as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
The story is set in 1989 New York City, providing a backdrop of the city during the AIDS crisis and highlighting the activism of the era, particularly through the involvement of its characters in ACT UP demonstrations.
Madonna is symbolically significant in the novel. The story features numerous references to the pop star for her celebration of queerness and embodiment of self-expression, individuality, and defiance against conformity.
About the author
Abdi Nazemian is an Iranian-American author, screenwriter, and producer known for his compelling contributions to both literature and the film industry. In 2015, his debut novel, The Walk-In Closet, received widespread acclaim, winning the Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction. He went on to write three significant young adult novels—The Authentics (2017), Like a Love Story (2019), and The Chandler Legacies (2022). Like a Love Story, a poignant tribute to queer history and love, won a Stonewall Honor and was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
Born in Iran in 1976, Nazemian spent his childhood living in various global cities, including Tehran, Paris, Toronto, and New York. He is an alumnus of Choate Rosemary Hall, where his passion for writing first blossomed. He holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In addition to his novels, he has written for television shows such as NBC's Ordinary Joe, Fox’s Almost Family, and NBC’s The Village as well as six films, including The Artist’s Wife (2020), Menendez: Blood Brothers (2017), The Quiet (2006), and Revolution (2012). As the Head of Development for Water’s End Productions, he has had a hand in producing or executive producing films including the acclaimed Call Me By Your Name.
Nazemian currently lives in Los Angeles with his husband and two children, holding dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. He humorously claims to be the inspiration behind Madonna’s children’s book, The Adventures of Abdi.
