Blackouts: A Novel

I've recommended this book to so many people -- it's fascinating both in content and in style.

Unlike the author's equally impressive first novel “We the Animals,” this second novel “Blackouts” offers a mere sketch of a narrative story line. Read on that level alone, this novel might be considered a bit commonplace were it not for the very, very fine creative writing that keeps you guessing at what is going on.But “Blackouts” is much more. It seems its primary purpose was to provide an education into the all-but-forgotten history of early 20th century repression, criminalization and denial of homosexuality, and a handful of the all-but-forgotten pioneers of gay liberation during that era. An elderly, dying gay man provides the connection to the dying history. I found it most entertaining to research the named historical figures and authors more fully, with basic information and resources readily available in Wikipedia and similar sources. A glimpse into Nuyorican gay culture also is a plus, especially for those with connections to it.This novel will be of greatest interest to lgbtq+ readers curious about their early 20th century cultural history.

I thoroughly enjoyed We The Animals, published in 2012, and eagerly anticipated Torres' second novel. To be honest, I was disappointed by Blackouts. There's no disputing the quality of the prose, but I wasn't drawn into the narratives. I use the plural deliberately, as there are multiple overlapping narratives that ultimately fail to connect. Perhaps twelve years is too long a gestation for a novel. Parts feel like an essay, parts feel autobiographical, and parts are filler.I wish Torres would write a novel, but I'm not sure I can wait twelve more years.

Torres wraps together a moving story about two gay men who are long-time friends with a story of gay history drawn from real life. The result is magnificent and the book definitely deserved to win theNational Book Award which it did!

A stunning invention. Dark, claustrophobic. I felt like I was in the room, in the dark, while the two men told me their stories. "What are you doing here?"Unlike any other novel I've encountered. There is a significant visual element in the form of drawings, photos and redacted pages. I was glad to have the hard copy because my old kindle wouldn't have done those images justice.