Radical Love

So there’s the unreliable narrator, and then there’s John Church. I have many thoughts.

I’m conflicted on how I feel towards the protagonist: he was charming and charismatic, he was manipulative and obsessive, he was humorous and witty, and just when you think you’ve got him figured out he drops another “OH I forgot to mention …” (lies by omission might just be worse than outright lies).

At first, I thought that this was going to be an interesting exploration of the necessity for “radicals” within challenging societal parameters (for legality and morality aren't always congruent) - if social commentary has one fan, it is me, if it has no fans, I am dead. Don’t get me wrong, many important themes were dissected, albeit through the lens of a capricious narrator: sexuality, gender and race relations to name a few.

What it ended up being was a character study of a gay priest in 19th century London, who preaches the “radical” notion that love conquers all by day, and officiates “molly-house” weddings by night, including between cis men and trans women. I thoroughly enjoyed how unwavering in his sexuality and acceptance he was, despite what the religious and historical contexts imposed - in this sense, he certainly was a radical. A childhood and early adolescence void of love and nurturing leads him to chase it obsessively in his adult life, clinging to it oppressively and often with devastating consequences. Despite it all, I found myself rooting for him consistently: charisma wins every time.

((POSSIBLE SPOILER))
My only issue was that the ending felt quite rushed - I would’ve liked a bit more insight into the trial and its aftermath.

All in all, though, a brilliant fictional account of real-life events, I’d highly recommend researching the Vere Street Coterie for a better understanding of the history of gay rights in the UK.

I loved this book!!
Based on real people and real events we’re guided through the story but a completely unreliable narrator. John is a liar, he omits things, forgets to tell you stuff then ‘remembers’ later in the story. But I liked him. I felt sad for him, he falls in love and it consumes him. He makes bad decisions but when we learn about his childhood we can see why he is so flawed.

This is a great historic fiction (based in fact) about the gay community in the early 1800s, the cruelty and persecution they faced.
Blackmore doesn’t pull his punches! This book is brutal, harsh, upsetting and honest. You feel immersed in the surroundings and you feel every stone that is thrown! I loved the scenes in the Molly house, you can see all the characters in your mind and feel the joy they feel at finding somewhere they’re allowed to be themselves.

The writing is beautiful! I found myself taking a deep breathe after some of the profound sentences! Blackmore links the events of that era with what is happening to the LGBTQ+ community now.

A must read!!!