Harry and Craig, two former boyfriends, attempt to set a new world record for the longest continuous kiss. Standing in a public square for thirty-two hours, they navigate physical exhaustion and dehydration while attracting a crowd of supporters and protesters. Their feat is observed and narrated by a collective chorus of a previous generation of gay men who died during the AIDS epidemic. As the record attempt progresses, the narrative branches out to follow other teenagers, including a boy navigating a secret online romance and another struggling with the aftermath of his family discovering his sexual orientation.
High school students seeking a realistic portrayal of queer identity read this for its focus on historical continuity and collective memory. The book connects contemporary experiences of dating and coming out to the legacy of those who lived through the 1980s crisis. Readers walk away with a specific understanding of how past struggles inform current freedoms and a sense of belonging within a wider timeline. It provides a look at the intersection of private identity and public visibility in the age of social media and protest.
- Published
- 2013
- Language
- EN
