Scan barcode
A review by jackiehorne
Counter Culture by JL Merrow
4.0
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
Another chuckle-filled m/m romance from British author Merrow, but one that simultaneously manages to convey deeper messages about homelessness, mental illness, and the many layers that lie behind the pleasant facades that people show the world. The "counter culture" of the title refers to many different things: the differences between working class and middle class cultures in a small British city that is definitely not London; the world of the college-educated vs. those without a uni degree; the world of old white Britain vs. the multicultural amalgam that is current-day Britain; and the mundane quotidian world vs. the fantasy world of steampunk.
On his way home from a rough day at work, college grad and current department store sales clerk Robin Christopher (white, gay) runs into a strangely-dressed but really hot guy scavenging parts from an abandoned refrigerator, not quite sure if he's a homeless man, an alien, or an escapee from a Doctor Who set. But as Robin's path keeps crossing with "Fridge Bloke," he discovers the man is steampunk (NOT steampunker) Archie (white, bisexual), who is currently living with his counter-culture mum, sharing the child-raising duties of a new parent with his former girlfriend (with whom he doesn't live), and working in the local workhouse museum. Which leaves him only a few spare hours to indulge in his predilection for dressing up as a Victorian gent and messing around with cogs and gadgets. The two begin an awkwardly sweet courting, but when Robin, discovering that Archie's mom is planning a protest against his department store (due to a publicity campaign that unintentionally insults the homeless, or "rough sleepers") lies about where he actually works, first to Archie's mum, and then to Archie, things get a bit messy in their budding romance. Secondary characters (especially Robin's co-workers Azrah, Heath, and Gail) are as fun, and as layered, as are Robin, Archie, and his mum Lyddie.
The models on the cover aren't quite right: Robin's hair is supposed to be blond, and Archie is meant to have a "moustache with curly, waxed ends, like a Victorian dandy or cartoon villain." Still, it does a great job of conveying the surprised, funny tone of Merrow's story.
Another chuckle-filled m/m romance from British author Merrow, but one that simultaneously manages to convey deeper messages about homelessness, mental illness, and the many layers that lie behind the pleasant facades that people show the world. The "counter culture" of the title refers to many different things: the differences between working class and middle class cultures in a small British city that is definitely not London; the world of the college-educated vs. those without a uni degree; the world of old white Britain vs. the multicultural amalgam that is current-day Britain; and the mundane quotidian world vs. the fantasy world of steampunk.
On his way home from a rough day at work, college grad and current department store sales clerk Robin Christopher (white, gay) runs into a strangely-dressed but really hot guy scavenging parts from an abandoned refrigerator, not quite sure if he's a homeless man, an alien, or an escapee from a Doctor Who set. But as Robin's path keeps crossing with "Fridge Bloke," he discovers the man is steampunk (NOT steampunker) Archie (white, bisexual), who is currently living with his counter-culture mum, sharing the child-raising duties of a new parent with his former girlfriend (with whom he doesn't live), and working in the local workhouse museum. Which leaves him only a few spare hours to indulge in his predilection for dressing up as a Victorian gent and messing around with cogs and gadgets. The two begin an awkwardly sweet courting, but when Robin, discovering that Archie's mom is planning a protest against his department store (due to a publicity campaign that unintentionally insults the homeless, or "rough sleepers") lies about where he actually works, first to Archie's mum, and then to Archie, things get a bit messy in their budding romance. Secondary characters (especially Robin's co-workers Azrah, Heath, and Gail) are as fun, and as layered, as are Robin, Archie, and his mum Lyddie.
The models on the cover aren't quite right: Robin's hair is supposed to be blond, and Archie is meant to have a "moustache with curly, waxed ends, like a Victorian dandy or cartoon villain." Still, it does a great job of conveying the surprised, funny tone of Merrow's story.