A review by donnyeatsbooks
The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My favorite kinds of stories are those that drop you into their worlds, at very particular moments in the characters’ lives, and let you live with them for a little while. In ‘The Dove in the Belly,’ Ronny and Ben are conflicted lovers who explore their identities in a world that denies them and ultimately find themselves in each other. It’s somber and sweet, and intensely moving, tackling themes of love and loss, and the essence of being. Jim Grimsley’s prose is powerful in its simplicity and his depiction of the young, gay experience hurts like a fresh wound. Just as I got to live with Ronny and Ben for a little while, I anticipate they’ll live with me for even longer.