MiniReview: "Arthur & Teddy Are Coming Out" by Ryan Love

What is it?

A novel by UK writer Ryan Love, first published in 2023.

What’s it about? The title says quite a lot.

Yes, but there’s a surprise! Arthur and Teddy are not a closeted gay couple making their relationship public. Arthur is a 79-year-old husband and father of two, and Teddy is his 22-year-old grandson.

Wow! That’s really racy. Incest! We don't get that very often—

No! No no no no no. They’re not together!! That would be a wildly different book. Let me explain: After many decades of (mostly) marital bliss, Arthur decides to reveal to the world—and first and foremost to his family—that he’s gay. His lovely wife (who already knows) is 100 percent supportive. But his daughter Elizabeth reacts very badly, while his grandson Teddy feels a mixture of emotions because he too is gay, but is firmly closeted, never having had any sexual relations with men. And, as it happens, Teddy has just started a job at the local newspaper where his closest colleague, Ben, is very hot—and very out, and encouraging Teddy to be the same!

Goodness, we do love a plot-driven novel.

This is definitely that. It’s very much a mass-market novel, kind of a summer beach read for gays. But it’s very vanilla—there’s no hot sex here, it's all very cosy, and almost everyone is so nice! Actually, I’m not sure the target audience is gay men, who will mostly find it quite dull, I suspect. It could almost be a YA novel, presenting a very "normal," comforting portrait of gay lives for insecure teenagers. Or it could be for straight folks who have gays in their life and need to be reassured that we’re just like them (we’re not) and that we think “family” is Very Important (we often don’t, for very good reasons that this novel slides over).

So, queer guy, did you like it?

It is very light, and makes a pleasant summertime read. It is a little bit like a novelized Hallmark film, but one with intelligence, humour, and sensitivity. There’s no great psychological depth here, conflicts are easily resolved, and all ends very happily, with no fewer than FIVE couples paired off at the end. For me, it’s all a bit heteronormative and “happy families,” but it’s harmless. And it is a good read. And it does have a message, too, and it’s one that queer folk need to be constantly reminded of (or is that just me?): You need to live your authentic life, beginning today, wherever you find yourself in time and space.

          An aside: There is no indication in the novel of where it takes place. I assume the town (Northbridge) is fictional, which is fine, but where in England is it? I find this kind of unmoored story so frustrating! Tell us where we are!!