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In Tongues
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
5 posts | 3 read | 2 to read
Named a Most Anticipated Book by Time, Bloomberg, and Electric Literature "Thomas Grattan is a master of plot—that rare ability—which makes In Tongues a real roller coaster: funny, sad, shocking, and, finally, quite moving." —Andrew Holleran, author of Dancer from the Dance A young gay man upends the lives of a powerful art-world couple in this steamy novel of self-discovery. It’s 2001, and twenty-four-year-old Gordon—handsome, sensitive, and eager for direction—takes a bus from Minnesota to New York City because it’s the only place for a young gay man to go. As he begins to settle into the city’s punishing rhythm, he gets a job walking rich Manhattanites’ dogs. But it isn’t until he stumbles into the West Village brownstone of two of his clients, the powerful gallery owners Phillip and Nicola, that Gordon learns how much the world has hidden from him—and what he’s capable of doing in order to get it for himself. A lush, heart-quickening novel about family and art, sex and class, and the terror of self-discovery, Thomas Grattan’s In Tongues chronicles Gordon’s perilous pursuit of belonging from the Midwest to New York and, later, to Europe and Mexico City. As he floats further into Phillip and Nicola’s exclusive universe, and as lines blur between employee, muse, lover, and mentor, Gordon’s charm, manipulation, and growing ambition begin to escape his own control, in turn threatening to unravel the lives, and lies, of those around him. Anchored by winsome lyricism, glinting intellect, and a main character whose yearnings and mistakes come to feel like our own, In Tongues crackles with fierce longing and pointed emotion, further confirming Grattan as a rare chronicler of young adulthood’s joys and devastations.
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Megabooks
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
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This was a surprising little queer novel. I liked the aspect of found family and how difficult it might be to maintain in the face of relationships and jobs.

Gordon comes to Brooklyn from Minnesota with barely any money. He quickly falls in with a lesbian friend. When a dog walking gig leads to a personal assistant position with an older gay couple, Gordon‘s friendships and ethics are tested.

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GerardtheBookworm
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
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Set in the late 90's, early 2000's, a midwest transplant who is freshly outted moves to NYC and gets ingrained in the lives of several quirky characters. A slice of life novel of gay culture during this time, this is a story of dating, relationships, messy connections and finding yourself among the drama and baggage. Oh, and it has tips on walking dogs too! 😆

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shawnmooney
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
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https://youtu.be/5eRoZbAa5rw?feature=shared.

#IllHaveWhatYoureReading

Introduction

Mystery guest

I‘ll Have What You‘re Reading Readalong announcement

Week in Review

In Tongues by Thomas Grattan

James by Percival Everett

Committed: On Meaning and Madwomen by Suzanne Scanlon

The Colony by Audrey Magee

rockpools My goodness - two years💔. The Rose Tremain sounds like the perfect tribute. And the new name‘s 👌. 6mo
shawnmooney @rockpools Thank you so much! I hope you‘ll join in #illhavewhatyourereading 6mo
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shawnmooney
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
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shawnmooney
In Tongues: A Novel | Thomas Grattan
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