May Book Recommendation:

Coexistence

written by Billy-Ray Belcourt

Reviewed by Carlee Wilson

Billy-Ray Belcourt’s Coexistence is a novel of short stories from the perspectives of queer Native men in Canada. Belcourt combines Native identity, the need for companionship, and the want of decolonial enlightenment that is hard to share with non-Indigenous partners. Each story seamlessly blends into the next, so much so that I was sometimes confused whether each narrator was the same or not. I decided this doesn’t matter much to me, as I felt connected to each one (or just the one?) through Belcourt’s beautiful ability to poetically describe the human condition. Coexistence is ultimately a lesson in how our desires for connection and how we act on them can contradict with our wellbeing. 

I should caution potential readers: this book is not for the prudish. Not only does it contain many strikingly intimate scenes, the book includes situations of sexual violence. Although difficult to read at times, I found Belcourt’s lack of propriety refreshing. He did not shy away from the most private inner thoughts and actions people are too frightened to share.  

My complaints: I was given access to a digital copy that may not have hit the editor’s desk at that time, as there were instances where one new chapter would begin without any demarcation from the previous. I’m hoping the final copy will be a bit clearer for future readers. I also felt that some of the stories felt too similar to each other. 

If you’re looking to read prose that is both deep and dreamy, this is for you. Belcourt’s writing is so poetic and beautiful that I’m tempted to grab a physical copy once it’s published just to take a highlighter to every captivating line for future inspiration! 

Hayu masi to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for the advanced access to Coexistence, which will be published on May 21, 2024. 

4 Stars

Buy the book from Tribal member owned Time Enough Books