Kiran Millwood Hargrave's 'Almost Life': A Queer Romance Across Decades
Kiran Millwood Hargrave, an award-winning author known for children's and historical novels, ventures into adult fiction with Almost Life, a poignant exploration of love and identity. This novel is poised to be hailed as a modern classic, drawing comparisons to One Day and Normal People for a sexually fluid generation, yet it carves its own unique path with depth and sensitivity.
A Tale of Missed Chances and Enduring Love
The story begins in Paris in 1978, where students Laure Boutin and Erica Parker share a fleeting moment on the steps of Sacré-Coeur. From this initial spark, the narrative unfolds over more than 400 pages, weaving a complex tapestry of will-they-won't-they dynamics, ecstatic highs, and profound sorrows. Almost Life delves into the choices that shape our lives, set against the backdrop of evolving social climates for queer and bisexual love.
Laure, a Parisian with a slightly terrifying aura, is a queer seducer who typically approaches relationships with emotional detachment. In contrast, Erica, a younger and more reserved English tourist, grapples with her sexuality and self-doubt. Their connection is immediate and intense, described as a coup de foudre, yet it is fraught with the classic paranoia and over-interpretation of youth.
Navigating Personal and Societal Challenges
As the novel progresses, Laure and Erica are pulled into a bohemian world of art, literature, and philosophical discourse in late 1970s Paris. However, this setting, while vividly rendered, sometimes slows the pace with its detailed depictions and lengthy conversations. Laure battles alcohol addiction, while Erica struggles to reconcile her feelings in a society where homosexual and heterosexual lifestyles often seem incompatible.
When Erica returns to Norfolk, their love story faces real and convincing obstacles, avoiding the self-indulgent vacillations common in some contemporary literature. The separation leads to periods where their individual stories meander, with occasional letters bridging the gap, but the heart of the novel remains in the brilliant tension of their interactions.
Flawed Characters and Profound Realism
One of the novel's strengths lies in its deeply flawed and realistic characters. Erica's egotistical selfishness and Laure's addictions and inflexibility make them profoundly human. Erica sometimes questions if she is playing at lesbians with Laure, yet she knows their love runs deeper, highlighting the internal and external conflicts of the era.
Despite a predictable queer character trope near the end, Almost Life builds momentum, becoming increasingly propulsive. It is a sensitive, sad, and multilayered examination of true love and passion. Following the success of Hargrave's debut adult novel, The Mercies, this update on a timeless theme is set to resonate with a new generation.
Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is published by Picador, offering a moving and insightful read into the complexities of human connection.
