Why The Great Believers is a Timeless Treasure for Gay Men

Note: this is one of our pics in our guide, the most influential gay books of the last decade

Back to the Future (and Past)

Our journey starts in the heart-throbbing epicenter of the 1980s Chicago, taking a detour to the sophisticated labyrinth of 2015 Paris.

This compelling backdrop paints a vivid picture of the evolving socio-cultural climate for gay men, as seen through the lens of time and space.

Casting a Wide Net

Meet our fellow travelers: Yale, Nico, and Fiona.

Each with their own story, their own battles, their own victories.

They may be fictional, but their stories echo the experiences of countless real-life heroes within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Longest War: AIDS

The Great Believers delves headfirst into the turbulent waters of the AIDS crisis.

Makkai's gripping narration of this devastating period gives readers a gut-wrenching glimpse of the historical significance and impact of the crisis on the gay community.

All the Feels, and Then Some

Get ready for an emotional roller coaster ride that rivals the tallest ones at Coney Island.

The Great Believers doesn't just touch on love and loss, it immerses readers into a cathartic journey, encapsulated by Yale's poignant words, "But we keep on going, don't we?"

A Stamp of Approval (And Then Some)

In the world of literature, The Great Believers is like the gifted kid everyone can't stop talking about.

Awarded and recognized, it's the literary pièce de résistance that packs an emotional punch.

Famous for More Than 15 Minutes

Among its laurels, The Great Believers has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, earning Makkai her spot among the literati.

But perhaps more significantly, it has resonated deeply within the LGBTQ+ community, offering a lens into a shared history and collective struggle.

Lines That Echo

Immersed in these pages, we stumble upon lines that have a life of their own.

Fiona's realization, "She'd expected the sorrow to fade, to lessen, and instead it had incubated", serves as a stark reminder of grief's lingering presence.

Finding Our Stars in the Dark

Yet, amidst the sorrow and loss, The Great Believers teaches us to find joy, resilience, and most importantly, hope.

As Yale wisely puts it, "The thing is, I'm in love with the world. I always have been. It's so unlikely and so beautiful, and if you ignore the ugliness, you discover a paralyzing, miraculous world of beauty."

From the Battlefront to the Home Front

This tale of resilience extends beyond the battlefield of illness.

Fiona's tireless advocacy and support, underscored by her assertion "You have to care about something", is a testament to the relentless spirit of allyship and solidarity that characterizes the LGBTQ+ community.

In the Words of the Believers

Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching yet beautiful lines comes from Yale himself, "You don't realize how quickly everything can fall apart until it does. It's not gradual. It's a fucking light switch."

From Paris to Chicago and Beyond

The Great Believers travels from the depths of personal loss to the heights of enduring love.

In this journey, readers are not just silent observers, but active participants, learning, growing, and most importantly, believing.

The Echoes of Believers

In Makkai's words, we find echoes of our own struggles, fears, and hopes.

The Great Believers is more than a book; it's a mirror, reflecting our own experiences, and an open window, inviting us to be brave, to love, and to keep believing.

Feeling Seen, Heard, and Valued

When Yale admits, "I've been trying to convince myself that it gets better, mostly because that's what I'm supposed to say", we're reminded of the pressure to adhere to societal expectations.

This recognition of lived realities marks The Great Believers as a beacon of empathy and understanding.

Tripping Down Memory Lane

The book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the past, painting a vivid picture of the '80s, a challenging period for many gay men.

In this journey down memory lane, readers witness history unfold, realizing the strides made and the battles yet to be won.

A Story for Us

In the end, The Great Believers isn't just about Yale, Nico, or Fiona.

It's about us, the LGBTQ+ community, our allies, and anyone who's ever loved deeply and lost profoundly.

In its pages, we find a shared narrative, a collective memory, a timeless treasure.

Words That Inspire

When Fiona says, "She had thought it was the end, and it wasn't, and she didn't know whether to be overjoyed or terrified", we're reminded that endings are just the beginning of new chapters.

The Great Believers nudges readers towards resilience, encouraging us to keep going, no matter what.

Leaving a Mark

The Great Believers leaves an indelible mark on readers.

Whether it's through the profound wisdom embedded in its lines or through the resonating narratives of its characters, the book has a transformative power that transcends the confines of its pages.

A Literary Masterpiece Worth Believing In

Rebecca Makkai has created a masterpiece, an engaging narrative that resonates with the experiences of countless gay men.

At its heart, The Great Believers is a clarion call for love, resilience, and hope, echoing long after the last page has been turned.