Better Angel: A Novel

"Better Angel" tells the story of Kurt Gray, beginning with his early days as a young boy growing up with a strict Methodist family in 1930s Michigan. Somewhat shy around people, especially the other boys his own age, Kurt spends much of his time reading at the library or up in the attic space of

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his father's shop, playing with the odds and ends stored up there and staging shows for his few friends. Even at that young age, he realizes that he's different from the other boys, but it's his re-readings of those books in he Bible with hidden knowledge that he understands what he might be. He knows how people would react if they learned his secret so he keeps quiet, focuses on his school and music, and eventually finds himself ready to graduate from college and pursue a career in music composition. His close friends, Chloe and Derry Grayling, feel that he will succeed.

However, his life quickly becomes complicated when he finally confesses his love for Chloe's brother Derry. Derry's reaction is unremarkable, leaving Kurt unsure of whether Derry felt the same way. Derry manages to surprise him, though, by introducing him to David, a young man harboring a strong admiration for Kurt and his music. With David, Kurt begins to wonder if a relationship with another man could be possible. However, before the two can settle into a strong relationship, Kurt wins a grant that takes him to France, and it's in Sauvergne that he finds himself able to take stock of what life back in the States may have to offer, thanks to the no-nonsense wisdom from Tony McGauran, an actor whom he met on the boat crossing the Atlantic. Tony forces Kurt to make a decision regarding David and Derry and then to act upon it, no matter what the cost.

Many critics consider Better Angel to be the first American novel to present a positive view of homosexuality -- which is quite a feat considering it was originally published in 1933. It's actually refreshing to read a story from almost 100 years ago that doesn't kill off the main gay characters or treat them as if they were less than worthy of love and acceptance. All the characters are well-crafted and the situations in which they find themselves feel timeless, as if what they're going through back in the '30s is the same as many gay men and women are going through today, struggling with accepting themselves and believing they can find love.

Definitely a book worthy of being read and shared.

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