Paul Mendez

The first part with Norman in the 1950s pulled me into the story, and its abrupt ending made me curious to see how the immediate story played out—but the book doesn't go into it until right at the end when Jesse, the protagonist of the rest of the book, reconnects with the relatives he hadn't even known he had at the end. In the meantime, there's Jesse coming to London to live as a gay man and escaping the shunning of the Jehovah's Witness community he's grown up in, Jesse who's settled show more and found his footing, with friends and a relationship, but shaken by the aftermath of the EU referendum and an acquiantance's suggestion he's related to an artist who died of AIDS in the early 1990s, and I found it all captivating. show less

The first section in the book in Jamaican vernacular can take a bit of figuring out, but I enjoyed this novel that deals with immigrants/expats torn between trying to fit in and trying to survive in a sometimes hostile country (UK). Because of the emotion and the intensity of the writing, I would surmise that this is an autobiographical fiction. It struck me as something of a mix of Brian Washington's _LOT_ and Garth Greenwell's _What Belongs To You_ - but by all means its own book; unique, show more provoking. Some might be put off by unrestrained descriptions of sexual encounters, but these definitely add verisimilitude and add to the impact. At times Mendez's writing borders on the overly didactic, but ultimately the diatribes ring true and inform us. This book has brought up a lot for me in terms of people I have known over the years - so very moving overall. show less

[b:Rainbow Milk|55573130|Rainbow Milk|Paul Mendez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602561987l/55573130._SY75_.jpg|75300975] follows two Black men's lives in England, charting changes in British racism across the decades. The first section is set in 1959 and Norman the narrator is part of the Windrush generation who moved from Jamaica. This section is the shortest of three. The latter two follow Jesse, first in 2001-2 as he leaves home and in 2014-16 as show more he undercovers a family connection to Norman. The middle section is longest and focuses on Jesse exploring his sexuality in London. Mendez writes in a vivid and moving style about gay desire, self-discovery, and the intersections of race and sexuality. This middle section proved the most powerful, as I found the first section a little slow-paced.

The importance given to music throughout is a highlight, as this soundtrack adds atmosphere. The songs in the 2001-2 parts particularly appealed, as I was a teenager then so they made me nostalgic. (e.g. Run for Cover by the Sugababes! I had their first album, One Touch, on CD.) [b:Rainbow Milk|55573130|Rainbow Milk|Paul Mendez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602561987l/55573130._SY75_.jpg|75300975] is an observant, thoughtful, and vivid depiction of gay life in 21st century London that also weaves in reflections on race, class, music, and art. show less

Thematically, an important and interesting look at a young gay black man's experiences in modern Britain. I just couldn't connect with the characters for some reason, and it all left me a little cold. Nonetheless, a bold new voice in fiction.