– Isaac: 'An instant queer classic' (Jon Ransom): Longlisted for the 2025 Polari First Book Prize

Great book Swallowed it in one weekend

I did find the first chapters, maybe even about 1/3 of this novel, to be a difficult read. I was feeling no empathy for the character of Isaac and definitely didn't like his "adventures". Given this novel has received high praise from establishment figures, so to speak, I persevered until the end. I know many published writers have to undergo the stringent requirements of publishers' editors and even the "feedback" from friends and associates during the writing process. I always find that to be a shame because I would always prefer to read the "raw" first draft as it came out of the author's head. That being said, Ransom certainly knows how to write, the prose is nicely done and the dialogue certainly has realism. In fact, by the end of the novel I was wondering how much Ransom could have left out because there was a huge amount of detail. The characters are nicely drawn and are credible. Isaac's mother is a stand out and stands head and shoulders above the self-opinionated, entitled "younger" people. There is a clear place for this novel in the LGBTQIA+ canon, and whilst I wouldn't consider this suitable for younger teenagers perhaps if they read it they would learn how not to behave when they begin to experience the world. I still have no empathy or even sympathy for the central character of Isaac or his associates, and his "downfall" is clearly of his own making. Luckily, he had a mother who was always prepared to support him, including financially.

A beautifully written book that explores personal growth and love. As a heterosexual women it really opened my eyes to the struggles and desires of young gay men, and Garner’s ability to write with such depth and fluidity gives to book a great pace that makes you want to keep reading. A real insight into a world I’m not a part of. Highly recommend.

Isaac by Curtis Garner is a beautifully written and deeply emotional novel that explores queerness within the intricate landscape of the digital age. Set against the backdrop of a single transformative summer in London, Garner's work brilliantly captures the intensity of late adolescence, where emotions are all-consuming, and every choice feels monumental. The novel is both fearless and nuanced, tackling difficult and sometimes controversial topics as it delves into the life of a young man on a journey of self-discovery and identity. Through its authentic portrayal of adolescent obsession, desire, and the risks of first love, Isaac offers readers an introspective and fresh perspective on intimacy and coming of age in a modern, digitally connected world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. The sex scenes, of which there are many, in this book are very matter of fact but also very explicit. The first few chapters are all about Isaac's various hook ups and I was not very interested or engaged. The story advances after Isaac meets Harrison and it becomes quite an interesting read about a young man (a boy really, still a teenager) navigating the adult world of sex and relationships. I quite enjoyed the book but I am sure there are many people in similar situations to Isaac with whom the book will resonate more fully.

Curtis Garner's first novel is a raw and beautifully crafted masterpiece. From the very first page, it pulls you into Isaac’s world, delivering an emotional yet exhilarating story that lingers long after the final chapter. This is a must-have addition to your bookshelf and a book you'll enthusiastically recommend to others. I can't wait to see what this talented author offers us next!

So enjoyed reading this book, loved all the characters.

Curtis Garner’s debut novel features the title character in a pivotal moment of his life- his last year in 6th form, on the cusp of adulthood, facing a precariously balanced future where everything seems hinged on his academic results. Isaac doesn’t make things easy for himself, he faces this uncertainty by random pick-ups, mostly with older men. The phone and dating apps become a huge distraction from revision. His close friend, Cherish, seems to be approaching things in much the same way although largely separately from him. She’s not even read the Thomas Hardy set book. It’s hard to read this without the teenage years coming flooding back even though things are so different for our current generation going through this. It helps that all this is written in a refreshingly direct style, there’s lots of descriptive details but the author doesn’t labour too long over them, keeping the reader very much in Isaac’s world. Isaac himself is complex. He might seem to be on a self-sabotaging path but he is obviously not. He’s frustrated by the whole etiquette (or lack of it) around the random hook-ups but himself does the things he is critical of. This makes him feel like a very real seventeen year old, contradictory and not always likeable, however much the reader may be rooting for him as he tries to make sense of life. Toxic relationships, unforseen domestic drama and a hovering eating disorder add to the complications. The focus is very much on Isaac throughout and while he is certainly enough to keep us reading on there are other characters I would have liked to have seen have a bit more of the author’s attention, including his mum, friend Cherish and a character who appears late in the novel who seems to have everything sorted- I would like to know how he achieved this. Potential for a follow-up here? The ending feels a little abrupt, there was an element of confusion for me towards the end when a day approaching Christmas was described in terms of late summer/autumn which made me think a time jump had occurred when it hadn’t and I occasionally battled that niggling feeling I get when a character academically achieves without seeming to put the graft in. I might have enjoyed a little more humour- these characters take themselves very seriously and I think this is the main reason why I’m not giving the five star rating I awarded three novels which feature characters of similar ages or on a similar path; “Small Joys” by Elvin James Mensah (2023), “Rainbow Milk” by Paul Mendez (2020) and “Juno Loves Legs” by Karl Geary (2023) which all felt they had greater depth. However, this is a strong debut with good quality story-telling which deals with very real feelings and very relevant issues. I’m not sure whether it made me want to be Isaac’s age again or wonder how and of the current teenage generation will manage to make it into their twenties!