REVIEW: The Brightonians by Darren Kay

The Brightonians

Darren Kay

Opening with a death is always a wonderful start to any novel, particularly one which eponymously calls to mind the lives of the denizens of this Twisted Gilded Ghetto by the sea. Author Kay serves up a delicious book, full of entitled social wrestling, secret histories, blossoming love, elderly drag queens, polysexual Queerness in all its forms and a geographical love for Brighton which showcases the city itself as a major character.  The plot is a fun exploration of the way that events can hugely impact long after they’ve been secretly hidden from sight, and the way that truth often finds a way to shine, bringing not shame but glory in a different, more understanding age and flattering light. I’ll not go into any more detail to avoid spoiling it’s finely constructed and rather teasy disclosures, but I enjoyed the narrative tension and the amusing, believable twists.

It’s a fun read, with a narrative momentum which whisks you along like the Volks railway, although unlike that ancient locomotive this book takes you somewhere interesting, a rather fabulous fantastical Brighton, not quite the same, but oddly familiar. For those of us who call this City home it’s a lovely read, with much to delight, for the others who love the City but have yet to make it safely to its glittery shores it’s a wonderfully evocative social comedy, full of charm, a touch of savagery, much sauciness and just the right about of arch waspishness, exactly what one wants from a new ‘find’.

Kay produces a book which lives love, and is inclusive and has a careful, subtle handling of age and Queerness, like your first weekend in Brighton, it captures your heart. The characters entertain, engage and ooze charisma as their interlocking intersecting stories unfold. I enjoyed meeting this crowd of fun folk and the gossipy, very Gay worlds they live in, it felt very real and written with heart.

Rather charmingly it finishes on a wonderfully climatic denouement, setting up the next book perfectly and leaving you with a warm smile, knowing there’s more gorgeous wittiness to come.

Paperback: Out now £8:99

Buy, Order or learn more from the authors website https://darenkay.com/