Micha is an opium-addicted prostitute dying on the streets. Thomas is a third son consigned to the priesthood and unaware of his sexuality until he rescues the most beautiful man he’s ever met and is drawn toward him regardless of all he’s been taught. What follows is a story of discovery, addiction, healing, betrayals, faith, love, and duty.

This was a hard book to listen to. Extremely well written, uncompromising in both the ugly parts and the beautiful parts. Thomas’s naivety is sweet but portentous. Micha’s cruelty is staggering but pitiable. It’s a narrative of contrasts as one man learns how to be whole again, and one learns the power of what was missing from his life.

But this is a historical novel, and it’s not a novel grounded in idealism. Two men in this time period cannot safely be together, at least not openly. There will always be secrets, and these kinds of secrets don’t bring peace to anyone’s lives. To be honest, I was a bit staggered by the end, because I was expecting more idealism and less realism. A beautifully written book, but one that was more devastating for the suffering. I can recommend it, but only with a caution that there is no happily ever after – something the author is very vocal about, so this isn’t a spoiler – so you need to be in the right headspace to read it. As this was the second book in a row I’d read with disconcerting ends, I definitely needed to dive back into happier waters (ie the Will Darling books) after I finished.

Performance: This audiobook was read by Steve West, who is an absolutely wonderful narrator, one of my favorites!