A review by katkinney
The Complexities of Love by M.A. Quigley, Eric Williams, Alex Williams

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:

Spoiler

suicide, sexual abuse