Don't Push Me

by Michael Hartwig

Inspired by true events, "Don't Push Me" is an intergenerational saga of gay romance and the shame that cripples it.  On a ski vacation in the Alps, Elliott discovers that the owners of the inn where he is staying are the descendants of a physician who took care of his grandfather, a prisoner during World War One.  Elliott falls under the spell of Max, who, like his great grandfather, is haunted by an intractable sense of sexual shame.  Characters grapple with an existential question – whether their sexual desires are a madness corrupting the soul or a gift of the gods, nudging them toward authenticity.  The narrative goes back and forth between World War One, the 1960s, and 2007, underscoring the historical context of sexual identity and expression. The story explores the parallel worlds we inhabit and the people that invite us to cross borders.  Echoing ancient poets and philosophers, the book celebrates the enchantment of the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, a place where spirits hide in the upper reaches of glacier-studded peaks and inspire mortals to grow wings and soar.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2023

About the author

Michael Hartwig is a Boston and Provincetown-based author of LGBTQ fiction. Hartwig is an accomplished professor of religion and ethics as well as an established artist.

Hartwig grew up in Dallas but spread his wings early on – living in Rome for five years, moving to New England on his return, and then working in the area of educational travel to the Middle East and Europe.

His fiction weaves together his interest in LGBTQ+ studies, ethics, religion, art, languages, and travel. The books are set in international settings. They include rich local descriptions and are peppered with the local language. Characters grapple not only with their own gender and sexuality but with prevailing paradigms of sexuality and family in the world around them. Hartwig has a facility for fast-paced plots that transport readers to other worlds. They are romantic and steamy as well as thoughtful and engaging. Hartwig imagines rich characters who are at crossroads in their lives. In many instances, these crossroads mirror cultural ones. There’s plenty of sexual tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats, but the stories are enriched by broader considerations – historical, cultural, and philosophical.

Reviews

[Spencer Keasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael has done it again. He transported me to what I imagine must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. His writing reveals a passion and genuine affection for the Swiss alps, for life in the charming snow crusted villages, and for the sport and art of skiing. I couldn’t help be taken away, snow being one of my greatest pleasures in life, and I also felt a little jealous! I want a life like that! Michael’s writing has continued to evolve and develop in its complexities not just with language but in story. He’s mastering the creative form of story-telling in this book, a touching tale of longing across generations.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some things I really liked about this book and others I didn't. Hartwig gave us beautiful descriptions of the Alps and of skiing. I had trouble connecting with any of the characters. They seemed flat to me. I did enjoy the historical aspects of the book and I'm a sucker when a book jumps back and forth in time. However, there was too much unsaid about why some of the characters were acting as they were--until the last moment. I won't be more detailed because I don't want to spoil the book for others. But it left me with a very unsatisfied feeling.

[Charles McCaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does a wonderful job of transporting the reader to the Swiss Alps; but the characters felt a bit flat, and the plot seemed formulaic. The story description stated, "Inspired by true events." I wish the author had included some of those details at the end of the book.

[Charles R · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is very good. It's a slow burn.

I have enjoyed every novel by author Michael Hartwig. The details of building the lives of the characters were loving and fulfilling.
Thank you

[keegan watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Well thought out. Good characters and story. Emotional and moving without being overly dramatic. Enjoyable read, would recommend. Great author