A review by katclaybaugh
Blackouts by Justin Torres

challenging emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

For me, this is a new instant classic in queer lit centered on queer memory and the importance of learning and telling our stories within our community from our own perspectives. 

I don’t usually enjoy a loose or ambiguous narrative structure. However, Torres rode the line perfectly shifting between impactful vignettes, images, blackout poetry, and illustrative passages… I was fully engaged and the ambiguity serves the narrative purposefully without ever wandering into nonsensical pretension. 

This novel is a treasure trove of queer references and history embellished within a fictional narrative to entertain. 

As someone who lost a queer elder to the AIDS epidemic… this novel felt like an inheritance I was never lucky enough to attain. It was both tragic and beautiful,  deeply earnest yet wholly wry.

I took this first read to enjoy the narrative arc, but I can’t wait to reread this and unlock all of the references and hidden gems I might’ve missed. I’m so grateful for and genuinely in awe of the feat of this work by Justin Torres. This will stick with me for years to come. 5/5 stars well earned.
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