A review by ginger_curmudgeon
Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley

dark emotional sad

4.5

“Dream Boy” is apparently a reread for me, according to StoryGraph. I’m assuming I read it 20+ years ago. When I saw it in the store recently, it didn’t register that I had already read it. But, that isn’t as bad as it sounds. It was a long time ago and this edition looks nothing like the paperback I have on a shelf somewhere.

This short novel is a gripping, quick read. It’s also tragic and heartbreaking. TW: alcoholism, rape and homophobia are all prevalent throughout. 

Nathan’s dalliance with Roy is familiar in many ways. The secretiveness, the one-side nature of certain aspects, the thrill of young love and lust. I think I relate to Nathan more than Roy. Nathan doesn’t know how to voice his wants and needs, he goes along with Roy’s lead and hesitates when it comes to himself. His hesitation is from a place of trauma though. 

There’s a small degree of uncertainty around the ending. I mean, you know, but there’s the slightest sliver of room for doubt. Very slight. I would have liked a different ending, but that would have minimized the impact of the story. 

Given the state of society today, this is a timelier read than you’d think. I’m not sure that’s a good thing. 
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