Glitterland

Spires, Book 1

By: Alexis Hall

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people’s expectations.

Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. By his own admission, Darian isn’t the crispest lettuce in the fridge, but he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it’s like to step beyond the boundaries of anxiety. But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can’t see past the glitter to the light. Can a man who doesn’t trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can a man who doesn’t believe in happiness ever fight for his own?

©2016, 2018, 2023 Alexis Hall (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Waited for this!

Ever since reading Glitterland, I hoped for an updated version that included the afterward. While the subject matter (mental illness) is both painful and difficult at times, Alexis Hall's lovely prose and storytelling makes it worth it. This is an earlier work from Hall (first published) but that did not detract from a beautiful tale of love, growth and understanding. Add Nicholas Boulton's incredible narration for a book that will bring both tears and smiles.

Honestly, not my fav Hall book

I really like Hall's other novels, but I had a really difficult time getting into this one. I think it boiled down to the fact that I just really disliked the main character. I think there were some really good, important points about mental health, but jeeze the main guy was just SUCH a jerk! If I'd met the couple in real life, I'd be telling his boyfriend there were more fish in the sea. There comes a point where just apologizing for something doesn't make it okay. You have to show that you're changing. I just didn't feel like their relationship ever got to that point, so for me it ended unsatisfyingly.

Wow!

Having read the first book, boyfriend, Material I was kinda hoping for it to be a similar storyline and character development, and all that stuff that goes into storytelling, however, was I surprised! Not only did I enjoy the way that the writer writes about the intimate scenes, but I really think he put effort in trying to make them part of the story and not way too out there! In my opinion, very tasteful.

A Beloved Favorite

A superb performance from Nicholas Boulton. Ash and Darian somehow grow lovelier, sexier, sweeter over time. The new additions from the author add to the experience in the new publication. thanks so much for another go at this core story, Alexis Hall.

Gritty and Real

As someone who’s struggled with their mental health for years, I felt so seen by this book. The descriptions of depression and anxiety were so very real and accurate, but were also done in such a beautifully painful way. This book is yet another phenomenal work by Alexis Hall!

“Sorry babes!”

I didn’t read GLITTERLAND when it was published. So I was very excited when this new audio book was released. Alexis has authored some of my favorite gay romance stories. But I’ve had difficulty trudging through this story and audiobook. The subject matter is important, and I appreciate Alexis tackling it. But there’s so much absurdity and improbability in this story (the Achilles heel of the Spires series) that I came close to giving up on it several times. Even the most intimate moments, particularly the sexual passages are implausible, unbelievable and often farcical. I only finished it because of my admiration for Alexis Hall. For anyone new to his writing, I think you can skip over this book in the Spires series and jump ahead to the other three books in the series. Alexis admits that he could not write this story now. I feel that prolific as his writing is, it’s improved noticeably since 2016, and I enjoyed the new additional material.