kerrykennedyauthor's review
5.0
I read this amazing book, The Complexities of Love, the debut novel by M.A. Quigley and awarded it 5* here and on Amazon.
We meet Mark a young boy who realizes he is different from other boys in his school. Mark is in love with his best friend, Dave, a love that lasts until their early adulthood. it's a bittersweet story that I found sad at times, because of the prejudice towards Mark. It tells us that love is non-discriminatory or prejudiced. A truly remarkable debut book [b:The Complexities of Love|58253117|The Complexities of Love|M.A. Quigley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622732816l/58253117._SX50_.jpg|91308051]
Looking forward to the next book by M.A. Quigley
Kerry Kennedy author of Dakota, Who's Watching Who & Boris Flies To The Moon
We meet Mark a young boy who realizes he is different from other boys in his school. Mark is in love with his best friend, Dave, a love that lasts until their early adulthood. it's a bittersweet story that I found sad at times, because of the prejudice towards Mark. It tells us that love is non-discriminatory or prejudiced. A truly remarkable debut book [b:The Complexities of Love|58253117|The Complexities of Love|M.A. Quigley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622732816l/58253117._SX50_.jpg|91308051]
Looking forward to the next book by M.A. Quigley
Kerry Kennedy author of Dakota, Who's Watching Who & Boris Flies To The Moon
katkinney's review
5.0
The mark of a great book for me is one where I really connect deeply with the characters. THE COMPLEXITIES OF LOVE caused me to deeply feel invested in the outcome of everyone in the novel. Mark, the main character, grows in up in the 1960’s and 70’s in a household with a father who is controlling and abusive at times. He knows early on that he is gay, and Dave, the boy in school who he has a crush on, is sent away at 13 for reasons Mark doesn’t understand. I loved the way the side characters were developed in this story, from Norah, Mark’s older sister who marries and moves to Italy, setting off conflict with their father, who hates anyone who isn’t white, to his mother, who tragically is struck by illness. Dave returns when he and Mark are adults and this is where the novel both explores deeper themes and also becomes even harder to read. I thought it was incredibly well written, while also made me so sad because the intolerance and lack of acceptance Dave and Mark face in their families is something so many go through. This is a complex book that has been thoughtfully written and I would definitely recommend while also advising to check trigger warnings. 5/5 stars.
Trigger Warnings:
Trigger Warnings:
Spoiler
suicide, sexual abusekellyrei007's review
5.0
This is a powerful debut novel by Melisa Quigley! In this first-person character drama, Mark, with his insecurities and confusion, drew my sympathy from the opening paragraphs. He faces the challenges of school and socialization while struggling to hide who he really is.
Mark understands that while he is gay, he is not supposed to be. It is not what his family and friends expect or want him to be; rather it is a reason to be ashamed. There are no dates in this book, but Mark grows up and lives his young adult life in a severely homophobic society. That would be difficult enough for any gay person, but Mark has other problems that are revealed in time. Dave is the person Mark loves, and he appears to have a better grasp of his life, until it is revealed that Dave, too, has secrets.
The writing is narrative driven throughout and the dialogue is rather sparse; it has the feel of a diary at times. It is impossible not to root for Mark and want him to find happiness. I will not give spoilers, but this was an affecting read that I will not soon forget.
Trigger warnings: child sexual abuse; suicide.
Mark understands that while he is gay, he is not supposed to be. It is not what his family and friends expect or want him to be; rather it is a reason to be ashamed. There are no dates in this book, but Mark grows up and lives his young adult life in a severely homophobic society. That would be difficult enough for any gay person, but Mark has other problems that are revealed in time. Dave is the person Mark loves, and he appears to have a better grasp of his life, until it is revealed that Dave, too, has secrets.
The writing is narrative driven throughout and the dialogue is rather sparse; it has the feel of a diary at times. It is impossible not to root for Mark and want him to find happiness. I will not give spoilers, but this was an affecting read that I will not soon forget.
Trigger warnings: child sexual abuse; suicide.
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