This story follows three perspectives, set in AIDS era New York. We see Reza, an Iranian immigrant with a tough past who is now dealing with his present, pressing him with death everywhere and an interesting new home life with a rich step father and a homophobic step brother, it seems like hate surrounds him. We also see Art, a boy who will never let what society deems “normal” define him, but he sees the death of his people all around, so he advocates as much as he can. And then there’s Judy, who feels a little like a misfit in her perfect family, except to her Uncle Stephen, a gay man fighting AIDS along side many others. She was always just the weird fat girl, no one ever sees who she really is as an aspiring fashion designer.
Judy and Art have been best friends since forever, but when Reza comes to town, he seems to split their lives apart. Reza knows he’s gay, but he’s too troubled by the death and the disappointment from his mother, so he tries his best to hide it. Judy never thought she’d be one for romance, but when she meets Reza she feels a connection. Unfortunately, Art feels this connection as well, but he tries his best to keep his feelings tucked away, he knows how bad Judy needs Reza.
At the end of the day when it all comes crashing down, are they able to put aside the heartbreak and forgive?
This is a true queer story told by queer voices that I was excited to see. During that era, we saw the most heartbreak and loss within the queer community, so seeing the story from queer voices was almost more heartbreaking. I really enjoyed the different perspectives and the story itself was written very well, and I found myself inspired by reading it.