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Small Joys
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
10 posts | 5 read | 7 to read
The sensational debut novel about love, friendship and finding happiness in the most unexpected places. 'A captivatingly tender novel . . . it's beautiful.' Natasha Onwuemezi, The Bookseller 'Could I one day inspire happiness in others, the same way he seemed to do in me?' Harley is a young queer Black man struggling to find his way in mid-noughties Britain. Returning home to Dartford, having just dropped out of an undergraduate course in music journalism, he is wracked by feelings of failure and inadequacy. Standing in the local woods one day, on the verge of doing something drastic and irreversible, his hand is stayed by a stranger: a tall husky guy who emerges from the bushes holding a pair of binoculars. Muddy is an ebullient Mancunian whose lust for his own life makes others feel better by association. A keen birdwatcher, rugby fanatic and Oasis obsessive, he quickly becomes a devoted and loyal friend to Harley who finds his enthusiasm infectious and his dimples irresistible. In no time at all, they become inseparable. Harley starts to think that life may be worth living after all, while Muddy discovers things about himself that the lads down the rugby club may struggle to understand. But when figures from the past threaten to plunge Harley back into the depths of depression, his only hope of survival is Muddy and the small joys they create together. Moving, funny and tender, Small Joys is an epic novel about ordinary lives that introduces the world to an unforgettable cast of characters and a major new literary talent.
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review
monalyisha
monalyisha
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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Pickpick

It took a while for me to settle into the British/Mancunian dialect and the text could be overly sentimental. But ultimately, Small Joys is addictively sweet, properly earnest, and compulsively readable. You‘ll root for Harley, Muddy, and for the entire cast of characters. A queer love story with a strong message about self-love. Skip this one if you‘ve never heard of Oasis and don‘t plan to educate yourself. 😅

☠️ TW galore; see comments.

monalyisha TW: racism, homophobia, derogatory slurs, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, religious/spiritual abuse, coerced exorcism, assault, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, anxiety, depression, self-harm, dementia, death of a parent. 2mo
JillR Well, this wasn‘t on my radar but looks very much like something I‘d enjoy - it‘s going on my list. Im actually heading into Manchester on the train for work right now, and do love a bit of Mancunian based fiction! 2mo
Melismatic I love that you loved this! It was such a bright spot. 💜 2mo
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
quote
monalyisha
monalyisha
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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“I didn‘t think I cared about Oasis, but his enthusiasm made me feel like I did, or could.

“I think I only know Wonderwall,” I said.
He gasped. “You‘re not a bleedin‘ Blur fan, are you?”
I laughed. “And what if I was?”
“Then we‘d have big problems, me and you,” he said, laughing back.”

🙋‍♀️ I‘ve got a big problem. It‘s me. I‘m the bleedin‘ Blur fan…🙈

monalyisha If you‘re unaware (like I was) of the culture war that was Oasis vs. Blur, here‘s a primer: https://medium.com/the-rise-to-fame/the-clash-between-oasis-and-blur-and-how-it-... 2mo
CarolynM I wouldn‘t say I‘m a Blur fan, but I much prefer them over Oasis. I loved this book about Britpop
[tagged book]The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock
2mo
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
shawnmooney
shawnmooney
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
post image

https://youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=9IIhOd-qpJH6SB9Q

More information about Elvin James Mensah: https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/elvin-james-mensah
 @elvinjamesmensah on Instagram

Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61612872-small-joys

28 likes
blurb
shawnmooney
shawnmooney
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
post image

https://youtu.be/dwZeWcEgXS8?si=2hKEmQSGbtJbrOsm

Introduction

Mystery guest

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blurb
shawnmooney
shawnmooney
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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https://youtu.be/SJolugZajdQ?si=ZomDd8iG-N9FbnL0

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Anna40 Wonderful! Thank you for this. I loved Small Joys so much I read it twice. I fully agree, it‘s a delight and I connected with the main character even though “his life” and mine are very different. I hope you can interview him. Congrats on finding Edna O‘Brien‘s trilogy that once belonged to your prof and sharing that story. She‘s one of my favourite authors too and I‘ve gifted her books to friends especially her short stories. 4mo
26 likes1 comment
review
Anna40
Anna40
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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Pickpick

21-year-old Harley just dropped out of uni because of mental health issues caused by his strained relationship with his father & returns to Kent to live with a friend.His new roommate is Muddy who is congenial,happy go lucky and kind.They soon connect deeply and Harley falls in love with Muddy who isn‘t interested in sexual relationships.The circle of friends is completed by Noria,Finlay and Chelsea.With their support & love Harley finds healing.

21 likes
review
Melismatic
Melismatic
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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Pickpick

What a debut. Excellent pacing, utter vulnerability and honesty, and at its heart a sweet love story found in friendship both platonic and more than. This novel is about finding your “people” that allows what makes you you really shine through. ✨ 🐦

19 likes1 stack add
quote
Melismatic
Melismatic
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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I‘m about halfway thru with this tearjerker of a Coming-Out-Story novel but this section got me on the train this AM. TW for suicidal ideation, homophobia, assault. This book is intensely *real* but in so many heartwarming (& heartbreaking) ways.

20 likes
review
Alfoster
Alfoster
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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Pickpick

This is a sweet debut novel! Harley comes out to his father who doesn‘t believe him and has been fired due to his own homophobia. After leaving university, Harley moves in with a motley crew including Muddy and others. Funny and moving, this book is so weird and wonderful!
#NetGalley

61 likes1 stack add
blurb
Melismatic
Melismatic
Small Joys | Elvin James Mensah
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Yesterday was it‘s US publication day (I think it‘s out tomorrow in the UK?) ✨💕

Picked up my copy at my fave local bookstore. The author is a friend. I can‘t wait to read it! 🎊💖

27 likes