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I'll endeavour to include no spoilers, just an overview.

The simplest explanation of this book would be to say it's a gay version of “Eat Pray Love” . So it feels familiar as a device, and a bit tired.

The characters unfold eventually but for me the book really doesn't come alive until its final third. Some early relationships lack any emotional depth, you wonder why the german boy is there at all? Others make such a brief appearance you think should they have been included at all?

The narrator changing voice to various characters doesn't work for me. I found myself confused about who i was hearing from. There seemed to be no signposting to say new persons thoughts or experiences. I thought it was a misprint the first time it happened.

As a 48 yo artistic gay man i understand the story, appreciate the charm of our protagonist and the loving way he is explored by the author. I suspect that compassion is what will stay with me from this book.