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The Fantasies of Future Things: A Novel
In this “gorgeously compassionate” (Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage) debut reminiscent of Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight, two men in Atlanta reconcile their human dignity against the price of their professional ambitions working for a real estate development company displacing Black residents in preparation for the 1996 Olympics.
Daily interactions between Jacob and Daniel are a powder keg of sexual tension and uncertainty. A recent Morehouse graduate and Brooklyn transplant, Jacob fears that accepting the truth of his sexuality will disappoint the hopes his parents have for him to lead a respectable life. Grieving the death of his mother while searching for answers about a father he has never known, Daniel, an Atlanta native, has resigned himself to the reality that men who love men don’t have happy endings.
When Jacob meets Sherman, a social worker fighting for one of the families being displaced by the project, he must decide if rejecting security is worth the risk of embracing the unknown. In the midst of navigating his grief, and volatile relationship with Jacob, Daniel learns of his father’s identity. Though meeting his father could provide Daniel with the closure he has always sought, the distance between what Daniel wants and what he’s willing to do for it remains a question only he can answer.
Daily interactions between Jacob and Daniel are a powder keg of sexual tension and uncertainty. A recent Morehouse graduate and Brooklyn transplant, Jacob fears that accepting the truth of his sexuality will disappoint the hopes his parents have for him to lead a respectable life. Grieving the death of his mother while searching for answers about a father he has never known, Daniel, an Atlanta native, has resigned himself to the reality that men who love men don’t have happy endings.
When Jacob meets Sherman, a social worker fighting for one of the families being displaced by the project, he must decide if rejecting security is worth the risk of embracing the unknown. In the midst of navigating his grief, and volatile relationship with Jacob, Daniel learns of his father’s identity. Though meeting his father could provide Daniel with the closure he has always sought, the distance between what Daniel wants and what he’s willing to do for it remains a question only he can answer.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
May 5, 2025
One of the strongest works of literary fiction I’ve read this year. I really enjoyed how Doug Jones portrayed the intimate emotional lives of two gay Black men – their complicated family dynamics, friendships with fellow Black men, and romantic and sexual relationships. In this debut Jones shows the racism enacted by white people, especially white women, though he thankfully does not center white people/white gay men in his characters’ lives. Jones focuses firmly on our gay Black male protagonists and how they hurt and eventually find healing with one another. An interesting plotline that runs through this novel is that our two protagonists are part of a housing project that is complicit in the gentrification of 1990’s Atlanta. This element of the novel invites reflection about our complicity in displacement and injustice and what boundaries we set or do not set in making a living.
There were a couple parts of this book that didn’t exactly work for me. I wish there had been more room for Jacob and Sherman’s relationship to develop as opposed to it feeling a bit insta-lovey, however, I respect that the ending of the novel more or less addresses that. I also found the section where Marty dialogues about his family for a long time to be an odd stylistic choice. Still, Jones’s writing was engaging and I’d recommend this book for those interested in queer realistic fiction.
There were a couple parts of this book that didn’t exactly work for me. I wish there had been more room for Jacob and Sherman’s relationship to develop as opposed to it feeling a bit insta-lovey, however, I respect that the ending of the novel more or less addresses that. I also found the section where Marty dialogues about his family for a long time to be an odd stylistic choice. Still, Jones’s writing was engaging and I’d recommend this book for those interested in queer realistic fiction.
April 21, 2025
About 15% of the way into it, I put The Fantasies of Future Things aside. I wasn't sure where it was headed and didn't know if I wanted to go along for the ride. I am SO glad I picked it back up again.
I'd requested a review copy of The Fantasies of Future Things because the context in which it takes place seemed so ripe with possibilities. The novel is set in Atlanta after the city was chosen to as host for the 1996 Olympics. The central characters are two young, gay, Black men working for a real estate development company that sees an opportunity to make some quick money by "revitalizing" a neighborhood—in the sense that seizing property by eminent domain, razing the homes on that property, and throwing together new homes that can be rented or sold at much higher profits counts as "revitalization."
Jacob is a recent graduate of Morehouse College, originally from Brooklyn, interested in a career in real estate, but not interested in spending his initial time out of college cold-calling people to see if they're interested in selling their homes. Daniel is a local boy who was never destined for college. To the white developer trying to put this project together, they seem like exactly the kinds of faces that should be facing toward the community to lead to—$$$—success. Maybe if the company looks Black enough it won't actually have to provide real support: job training, small business incubators, job training—for the community that's being displaced.
Originally, the book felt too didactic, a "tale of good and evil" with a predictable narrative arc and ending. But when I picked the novel back up after my hiatus, it quickly grew richer and less predictable. Both Jacob and Daniel are wrestling with conflicts emerging within their own families. They're attracted to each other in alternating pulses of hot-hot-hot and hoping-for-something-more. They're also so preoccupied by issues in their own lives that they have trouble seeing one another as anything other than means to an end.
Doug Jones, the author of this debut novel, doesn't tie things up neatly at the end—for which I am deeply grateful. The novel ends with possibilities, not certainties, and those possibilities have a shakiness at their hearts that makes these characters' futures difficult for readers to imagine with any confidence.
If you enjoy problem novels that wrestle with larger issues while exploring the specifics of individual lives, you're in for a treat here. You'll feel both affection for and exasperation with the central characters—and the cliff you're left at the edge of will feel like the most genuine resolution that's possible in that moment.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
I'd requested a review copy of The Fantasies of Future Things because the context in which it takes place seemed so ripe with possibilities. The novel is set in Atlanta after the city was chosen to as host for the 1996 Olympics. The central characters are two young, gay, Black men working for a real estate development company that sees an opportunity to make some quick money by "revitalizing" a neighborhood—in the sense that seizing property by eminent domain, razing the homes on that property, and throwing together new homes that can be rented or sold at much higher profits counts as "revitalization."
Jacob is a recent graduate of Morehouse College, originally from Brooklyn, interested in a career in real estate, but not interested in spending his initial time out of college cold-calling people to see if they're interested in selling their homes. Daniel is a local boy who was never destined for college. To the white developer trying to put this project together, they seem like exactly the kinds of faces that should be facing toward the community to lead to—$$$—success. Maybe if the company looks Black enough it won't actually have to provide real support: job training, small business incubators, job training—for the community that's being displaced.
Originally, the book felt too didactic, a "tale of good and evil" with a predictable narrative arc and ending. But when I picked the novel back up after my hiatus, it quickly grew richer and less predictable. Both Jacob and Daniel are wrestling with conflicts emerging within their own families. They're attracted to each other in alternating pulses of hot-hot-hot and hoping-for-something-more. They're also so preoccupied by issues in their own lives that they have trouble seeing one another as anything other than means to an end.
Doug Jones, the author of this debut novel, doesn't tie things up neatly at the end—for which I am deeply grateful. The novel ends with possibilities, not certainties, and those possibilities have a shakiness at their hearts that makes these characters' futures difficult for readers to imagine with any confidence.
If you enjoy problem novels that wrestle with larger issues while exploring the specifics of individual lives, you're in for a treat here. You'll feel both affection for and exasperation with the central characters—and the cliff you're left at the edge of will feel like the most genuine resolution that's possible in that moment.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
March 11, 2025
The Fantasies of Future Things does something absolutely beautiful, taking the historical 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games— and fusing it with commentary about housing, race, and queerness. It felt like a subject that hasn’t been tapped into through the lens of Black queerness. This was quite the ride, visceral and real at points, but also very satisfying.
July 21, 2025
Doug Jones debut novel, The Fantasies of Future Things, out now by Simon and Schuster was fantastic! I will admit that it took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, it flowed so well! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, the landscape and finding out about a not too distant time (1996) and what took place during the ramp up period of the Olympics in Atlanta, and the disaster that it created for many families.
Jones does a wonderful job painting his literary canvas with text that speaks to the reader. He brings them into a space and time and lets his writing become the kaleidoscope of color needed to narrate the story. The only downfall that I saw in this novel was the somewhat slow lead up, but as mentioned, give it a little time, and you will soon be swept up like I was!
Jones does a wonderful job painting his literary canvas with text that speaks to the reader. He brings them into a space and time and lets his writing become the kaleidoscope of color needed to narrate the story. The only downfall that I saw in this novel was the somewhat slow lead up, but as mentioned, give it a little time, and you will soon be swept up like I was!
January 13, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review. This beautiful debut novel explores the lives of two black gay men and societies expectations of them. Daniel and Jacob are both struggling with the morality of their jobs and their internalized homophobia all while simultaneously trying to overcome the obstacles they face. The writing in this book was so beautifully done with the past and present weaved together in a way that keeps you hooked. The only reason this was not a perfect 5 ⭐️ for me was because I felt like the ending was too abrupt.
May 20, 2025
The only way I'm gonna stop being pissed at Doug Jones is if he's already writing a sequel to this masterpiece because I needed so much more than what this ending gave me!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
March 7, 2026
very slow and i questioned what the point of this book was many times during the beginning chapters
May 24, 2025
It has taken me a minute to gather my thoughts after finishing this book. I initially requested this book via netgalley, and then to my joy I received a physical ARC as part of the Advanced Reader’s Club
This book was not really what I expected based on the cover and the reference to the movie Moonlight, but it turned out that this book actual does work and makes for an enjoyable read. You will either really love this book or hate it. The writing is very poetic and the imagery it paints is so beautiful. From an everyday drive in the city of Atlanta to a cozy night in with friends; I was mesmerized by the vividness of the words on the page. If you are a critical thinker this book is for you. It is full of literary elements and plenty of themes to think about. The characters are so well developed I had to ask myself is this story based on the author’s life. And a couple of times I had to go back and double check that Daniel’s mother who is white in the book, was really white; because whew when she gave out the beatings I was flashing back to “Rozelle” (IYKYK) and in that principal’s office she commanded the room. Mind you this book also has a dual timeline of 70’s then late 90’s which is always a win for me.The downfall of this book for me is the ending felt very subtle and anticlimactic, but all the ends were wrapped up or were they. But I also love when an author allows the readers imagination to fill in what hey desire the ending to be. I originally gave this book 3.5 stars, now upgrade to 4 stars after a powerful and insightful discussion with the group.
This book was not really what I expected based on the cover and the reference to the movie Moonlight, but it turned out that this book actual does work and makes for an enjoyable read. You will either really love this book or hate it. The writing is very poetic and the imagery it paints is so beautiful. From an everyday drive in the city of Atlanta to a cozy night in with friends; I was mesmerized by the vividness of the words on the page. If you are a critical thinker this book is for you. It is full of literary elements and plenty of themes to think about. The characters are so well developed I had to ask myself is this story based on the author’s life. And a couple of times I had to go back and double check that Daniel’s mother who is white in the book, was really white; because whew when she gave out the beatings I was flashing back to “Rozelle” (IYKYK) and in that principal’s office she commanded the room. Mind you this book also has a dual timeline of 70’s then late 90’s which is always a win for me.The downfall of this book for me is the ending felt very subtle and anticlimactic, but all the ends were wrapped up or were they. But I also love when an author allows the readers imagination to fill in what hey desire the ending to be. I originally gave this book 3.5 stars, now upgrade to 4 stars after a powerful and insightful discussion with the group.
March 12, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley, Summit Books, and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
What a beautiful, moving story. This book weaves the story of two men at the intersection of major cultural changes amidst the preparations for the 1996 Olympics. Gentrification, family, and intimacy as experienced by Jacob and Daniel. I appreciated the author's writing style. Sometimes I felt like I was reading non-fiction; I even ended up reading some articles and looking at archived pictures of Atlanta homes in Summerhill prior to the Olympics. On the flipside, I felt a connection to the characters. These could be my brothers, my friends, my roomates, and even when they made mistakes I rooted for them.
There was a part at the end where it felt a bit rushed in its pacing, but it made sense in context to the larger story. The title is befitting because I'm left fantasizing about the future of these characters. There is so much to think about with this book. I'll be carrying this book in my heart for a long time.
What a beautiful, moving story. This book weaves the story of two men at the intersection of major cultural changes amidst the preparations for the 1996 Olympics. Gentrification, family, and intimacy as experienced by Jacob and Daniel. I appreciated the author's writing style. Sometimes I felt like I was reading non-fiction; I even ended up reading some articles and looking at archived pictures of Atlanta homes in Summerhill prior to the Olympics. On the flipside, I felt a connection to the characters. These could be my brothers, my friends, my roomates, and even when they made mistakes I rooted for them.
There was a part at the end where it felt a bit rushed in its pacing, but it made sense in context to the larger story. The title is befitting because I'm left fantasizing about the future of these characters. There is so much to think about with this book. I'll be carrying this book in my heart for a long time.
December 11, 2025
THE FANTASIES OF FUTURE THINGS by Doug Jones
Thank you @simonbooks for the gifted copy!
📖 This powerful debut follows two gay Black men as they confront their roles in the displacement and gentrification of Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods ahead of the 1996 Olympics.
💭 Fresh. Moving. Unflinching. The Fantasies of Future Things is a character-driven historical lit fic that explores the complexities of identity, family, queerness, and the weight of complicity. Jones’s writing is poignant and engaging,making me wholly invested in his characters' lives and dilemmas. At under 300 pages, this was a quick read that I devoured in two days.
Overall, a strong debut! I look forward to reading whatever Jones writes next!
📌 Available now!
Thank you @simonbooks for the gifted copy!
📖 This powerful debut follows two gay Black men as they confront their roles in the displacement and gentrification of Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods ahead of the 1996 Olympics.
💭 Fresh. Moving. Unflinching. The Fantasies of Future Things is a character-driven historical lit fic that explores the complexities of identity, family, queerness, and the weight of complicity. Jones’s writing is poignant and engaging,making me wholly invested in his characters' lives and dilemmas. At under 300 pages, this was a quick read that I devoured in two days.
Overall, a strong debut! I look forward to reading whatever Jones writes next!
📌 Available now!
March 11, 2025
I loved this book overall it shined in every aspect of storytelling. Everything from the characters to the writing style was well done. And the different plot lines were very well balanced. Definitely a well-rounded book. However, the ending really disappointed me it felt like the book kinda just dropped of out of nowhere and left me unsatisfied.
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4/5⭐️
Thank you to net gally the publisher and the author for this arc copy.
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4/5⭐️
Thank you to net gally the publisher and the author for this arc copy.
June 6, 2025
4.5 rounded up to a 5. This was a really fantastic read. Not only did I feel that I connected to the characters (though I will say that I preferred Daniel's chapters), but I also felt like I learned a lot about what went down in Atlanta around the 1996 Olympics and the gentrification/displacement it caused. The latter was actually a big reason in why I chose this book for Goodreads' "Rainbow Reads" challenge (to learn more about the impact of the 1996 Olympics on the Black community in Atlanta), so I am glad that it lived up to my expectations in that way.
I'm not really sure the reason for why I'm feeling 4.5 stars, but it just felt like I was missing something story-wise. Because I can't quite put my finger on it, though, I decided that it wasn't big enough that it warranted rounding down to 4. Hence, I'm rounding up to 5.
Still a great book and one that I would recommend to others.
I'm not really sure the reason for why I'm feeling 4.5 stars, but it just felt like I was missing something story-wise. Because I can't quite put my finger on it, though, I decided that it wasn't big enough that it warranted rounding down to 4. Hence, I'm rounding up to 5.
Still a great book and one that I would recommend to others.
March 9, 2026
I’m not sure what I expected when I started this book, so I can’t say I was disappointed. There were definite flashes of excellence throughout, and overall I did like it. Still, I often found myself wanting more, searching for some reason to be pick it up other than the simple fact that I had already started it.
October 26, 2025
The Fantasies of Future Things by Doug Jones Review
A novel about the gentrification of Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, The Fantasies of Future Things follows two queer Black men who are still coming to terms with their roles in this process. I was very excited to read this novel for its premise, especially since Jones takes inspiration from Baldwin. However, I ended up having more qualms with it than expected.
Starting with the positives, the novel is well-researched. There was never a moment where I felt like characters were acting unrealistically and it does a great job of giving the reader a survey of Atlanta's history. Both Jacob and Daniel have intriguing inner conflicts that tie directly to their careers, as both of them struggle to contend with what they are doing to their old communities. I think Daniel's storyline was the best in this aspect, since he used to live in the same homes that the real estate company is planning on demolishing. But in turn, I personally connected more with Jacob's struggles with his sexuality. Whenever the novel focused on their inner conflicts or their interactions, I was always very intrigued.
I think the main issue I have with the novel is the length it goes to explain the actions of its characters. Jones is an essayist, so I believe is essay writing style transfers into his prose. At some points this can be very vivid and emotional, while other parts of the novel seem to drag on with unnecessary explanations or historical context. For example, some readers might need the power dynamics of a white female boss and black male employees explained, but I think this could have all been done through character action and reactions. The writing style might work better for other people, but for me it made the novel drag on longer than it needed to. At the end of it all, not much happens in the novel between the characters, which is where I was hoping most of the action would happen. I think there can be beauty in unresolved conflicts (especially with coming out - I think this was done very well), but I felt like the "happy" ending was a bit rushed. I wanted to see more of the dynamics between Daniel and his father, or Sherman and Jacob after their fight.
Overall, I feel mixed about the novel. I think it's a great premise and am sad I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. Knowing this is a debut, I will keep Jones on my radar.
A novel about the gentrification of Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, The Fantasies of Future Things follows two queer Black men who are still coming to terms with their roles in this process. I was very excited to read this novel for its premise, especially since Jones takes inspiration from Baldwin. However, I ended up having more qualms with it than expected.
Starting with the positives, the novel is well-researched. There was never a moment where I felt like characters were acting unrealistically and it does a great job of giving the reader a survey of Atlanta's history. Both Jacob and Daniel have intriguing inner conflicts that tie directly to their careers, as both of them struggle to contend with what they are doing to their old communities. I think Daniel's storyline was the best in this aspect, since he used to live in the same homes that the real estate company is planning on demolishing. But in turn, I personally connected more with Jacob's struggles with his sexuality. Whenever the novel focused on their inner conflicts or their interactions, I was always very intrigued.
I think the main issue I have with the novel is the length it goes to explain the actions of its characters. Jones is an essayist, so I believe is essay writing style transfers into his prose. At some points this can be very vivid and emotional, while other parts of the novel seem to drag on with unnecessary explanations or historical context. For example, some readers might need the power dynamics of a white female boss and black male employees explained, but I think this could have all been done through character action and reactions. The writing style might work better for other people, but for me it made the novel drag on longer than it needed to. At the end of it all, not much happens in the novel between the characters, which is where I was hoping most of the action would happen. I think there can be beauty in unresolved conflicts (especially with coming out - I think this was done very well), but I felt like the "happy" ending was a bit rushed. I wanted to see more of the dynamics between Daniel and his father, or Sherman and Jacob after their fight.
Overall, I feel mixed about the novel. I think it's a great premise and am sad I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. Knowing this is a debut, I will keep Jones on my radar.
May 21, 2025
This is not a gay book or a Black book. It's not an Atlanta book or a social issues book. Nor is it a love story or a call for a more empathetic state. It's ALL of that and so much more! This novel was an absolute delight to read. The poetic prose, the relatable characters, and real life events made it easy to consume and left a lasting impression. I think everyone will get something different from it. I saw myself in a few characters and came away with countless 'nuggets' that I'm definitely referencing in my personal and social activism journeys for the foreseeable future. Admist an entertaining story of realistic charcters going through real day-to-day happenings, Doug Jones brought to light real social issues (particularly related to real estate, gentrification, and government involvement) AND gave realistic solutions. If the author does a 'Where are they now?' book about Jacob and Daniel 10 years in the future, I would NOT be mad.
Get the book and ENJOY!
Get the book and ENJOY!
June 12, 2025
I had a similar experience to a few of the other reviewers. The book was different than what I thought it would be based off the cover and description. Once I realized that I started to enjoy the book a lot more. I enjoyed being plopped into this world and learning a lot about a perspective I haven't experienced. Like a couple of other people have said this is not a super plot driven book but I still enjoyed the ride. It was beautifully written.
March 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and it’s exploration of themes like gentrification and Black gay perspectives. Usually I find books longer than necessary, in this case I had the exact opposite and felt like I would have enjoyed reading even more of it! It felt almost like a novella even though it’s close to 300 pages.
June 26, 2025
Beautiful story of black gay men in Atlanta navigating gentrification and dynamics of sexuality
February 17, 2026
Some of the best, most artful uses figurative language. Interesting premise and tactful navigation of social problems.
June 30, 2025
The budding relationship between Jacob and Sherman confused me a bit. It felt more like the two liked the concept of being in a relationship then actually liking one another, so many of their interactions we are shown are negative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
4.25 loved the story and how it was written, characters were very likable
February 14, 2026
i really wanted to love this but i was so close to it being a dnf for me. the characters are well written but the plot just struggled to hook me
August 22, 2025
In this beautiful, heart-rending work of historical fiction, Jones weaves together themes of love, longing, identity, and exploitation with extraordinary grace. His characters—living at the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and social class—are rendered with tenderness, vulnerability, and profound humanity.
Jones’ literary style is remarkable: deliberate, meticulous, and deeply attentive. He gives his characters space to breathe and unfold, inviting readers into their inner worlds. Jacob and Daniel linger long after the final page—you feel for them, you hope for them, and you are swept into their aching fantasies of future things.
Jones’ literary style is remarkable: deliberate, meticulous, and deeply attentive. He gives his characters space to breathe and unfold, inviting readers into their inner worlds. Jacob and Daniel linger long after the final page—you feel for them, you hope for them, and you are swept into their aching fantasies of future things.
April 23, 2025
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the eARC of The Fantasies of Future Things by Doug Jones.
When I started reading this novel, I honestly had no idea what to expect. However, it was beautifully written. The story addresses issues such as internalized homophobia, and Doug does an excellent job of weaving together the intersectionality of Blackness and queerness. This is an outstanding work of historical fiction that highlights the need for more Black LGBTQ literature in this subgenre.
As I reached the end of the last chapter, I found myself wanting more. I wanted to know if Daniel ever accepted himself and if Jacob got his happy ending. In my opinion, this novel is simply beautiful, and I hope to read more works by Doug in the future. If you haven't yet, add this book to your TBR today!
When I started reading this novel, I honestly had no idea what to expect. However, it was beautifully written. The story addresses issues such as internalized homophobia, and Doug does an excellent job of weaving together the intersectionality of Blackness and queerness. This is an outstanding work of historical fiction that highlights the need for more Black LGBTQ literature in this subgenre.
As I reached the end of the last chapter, I found myself wanting more. I wanted to know if Daniel ever accepted himself and if Jacob got his happy ending. In my opinion, this novel is simply beautiful, and I hope to read more works by Doug in the future. If you haven't yet, add this book to your TBR today!
May 24, 2025
This book is a reminder that I am a plot person. This is a character driven book and both the main characters in this dual narrative got on my last nerves. I left so irritated I had to do an emotional lap.
I REALLY wanted to like it. I trudged through for days just to feel like my time investment was worth it. It's a debut and the writing was beautiful but it was too overwritten and weighed down by all the big things it was trying to write to - gentrification, race, homophobia, power, desire, and how it's easier for men to shield themselves in anger and violence toward others than to be seen at their most vulnerable.
I wanted a resolution that felt in line with the investment made and didn't leave with that. It wasn't bad I just wasn't the right reader for this book.
There were some beautiful lines that stuck out to me:
" I want my chance at happiness. I'm going to live a life I can recognize, however different it might be from what we expected. I'm going to live a life I can respect."
" Daniel pondered how to answer Beth. thought about what it meant to live in this world among living, breathing, feeling people, who love and cry and shall and scream, who feel pain and completing get high when they laugh. who do not live in the fantasies of future things yet to be, because they are frightened of a chaotic present. who live with passion and intensity and know what it means when fear rest in the pit of the belly- but who must go and do the very things they fear anyway."
" Sherman was trying to prove they could be more joy than relief to each other. But Jacob was drunk and hurting and still hearing his parents. He needed the relief first before any joy could come."
I REALLY wanted to like it. I trudged through for days just to feel like my time investment was worth it. It's a debut and the writing was beautiful but it was too overwritten and weighed down by all the big things it was trying to write to - gentrification, race, homophobia, power, desire, and how it's easier for men to shield themselves in anger and violence toward others than to be seen at their most vulnerable.
I wanted a resolution that felt in line with the investment made and didn't leave with that. It wasn't bad I just wasn't the right reader for this book.
There were some beautiful lines that stuck out to me:
" I want my chance at happiness. I'm going to live a life I can recognize, however different it might be from what we expected. I'm going to live a life I can respect."
" Daniel pondered how to answer Beth. thought about what it meant to live in this world among living, breathing, feeling people, who love and cry and shall and scream, who feel pain and completing get high when they laugh. who do not live in the fantasies of future things yet to be, because they are frightened of a chaotic present. who live with passion and intensity and know what it means when fear rest in the pit of the belly- but who must go and do the very things they fear anyway."
" Sherman was trying to prove they could be more joy than relief to each other. But Jacob was drunk and hurting and still hearing his parents. He needed the relief first before any joy could come."
July 8, 2025
This story is set in Atlanta, referred to as the “Black Disneyland”, as it undergoes a major wave of gentrification due to the 1996 Summer Olympics. Jacob and Daniel, two young, Black gay men, reckon with the fantasy of the work they thought they would be doing to “revitalize” the Summerhill neighborhood with the reality of what their company actually does - displacing Black residents for profit.
Doug Jones’ writing is deceivingly simple and has a loving gaze - I found myself feeling the warm, humid Atlanta nights, envisioning lush neighborhoods, and hearing the voices of the characters in my head. Despite the title, I found the characters’ journeys through grief, resentment, disappointment and confusion so realistic. I was especially invested in Daniel’s exploration of his mother’s secrets and faults upon her death, and the compassion with which he viewed her longing while coming to terms of the pain he endured in her home.
Four stars because I wanted to go even deeper with Jacob and Daniel’s inner worlds. I feel that too much time was spent creating their circle of kin/friends/multitudes and thus the protagonists’ stories felt rushed. I didn’t sense a connection between Jacob and Daniel that I think I was meant too.
All in all, I recommend this book and I’m very glad I read it. I’ll look forward to Jones’ next project!
Doug Jones’ writing is deceivingly simple and has a loving gaze - I found myself feeling the warm, humid Atlanta nights, envisioning lush neighborhoods, and hearing the voices of the characters in my head. Despite the title, I found the characters’ journeys through grief, resentment, disappointment and confusion so realistic. I was especially invested in Daniel’s exploration of his mother’s secrets and faults upon her death, and the compassion with which he viewed her longing while coming to terms of the pain he endured in her home.
Four stars because I wanted to go even deeper with Jacob and Daniel’s inner worlds. I feel that too much time was spent creating their circle of kin/friends/multitudes and thus the protagonists’ stories felt rushed. I didn’t sense a connection between Jacob and Daniel that I think I was meant too.
All in all, I recommend this book and I’m very glad I read it. I’ll look forward to Jones’ next project!
May 7, 2025
I have to give this book 4 stars because I'm always rooting for everybody Black. This was a really emotional and telling story that I know took Doug Jones on an extremely cathartic journey and for that I respect it. I honestly was expecting a little more "explicitness" with this novel but what I wasn't prepared for was its literary story telling. I think we dive deep into the inner thoughts of Daniel and Jacob, but I do think we could have gone a just a bit deeper. It felt like for the both of them there was still something just over the horizon of both of their character development that we just never reached.
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*SPOILERS*
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Sherman was too damn thirsty for Jacob. Jacob was literally paying him dust and at every instance Sherman was so willing to take him back. He was begging for Jacob to open up to him, to be honest with him and Jacob continually turned his back on him and Sherman quickly accepted the apology just because he tied his shoe? Cmon Sherman! Stand up! Choose yourself! That's setting the foundation for Jacob to treat you however he wants and blame it on how what he's going through. He's always going through something! FUCK!
Wait- did this take place in '96? People had cellphones like that? That could just call in the middle of the day that you remembered to take everywhere with you? News to me.
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*SPOILERS*
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Sherman was too damn thirsty for Jacob. Jacob was literally paying him dust and at every instance Sherman was so willing to take him back. He was begging for Jacob to open up to him, to be honest with him and Jacob continually turned his back on him and Sherman quickly accepted the apology just because he tied his shoe? Cmon Sherman! Stand up! Choose yourself! That's setting the foundation for Jacob to treat you however he wants and blame it on how what he's going through. He's always going through something! FUCK!
Wait- did this take place in '96? People had cellphones like that? That could just call in the middle of the day that you remembered to take everywhere with you? News to me.
March 7, 2026
This book was not one I would recommend to anyone who wishes to read for pleasure, or leisure; but I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a thought provoking read.
This title explores the lives of two men, Jacob and Daniel. Their individual and combined struggles with race, sexuality, and status, all set in the backdrop of a changing Atlanta in the lead up to the 1996 Olympic Games. I found myself constantly pondering upon my own experiences with queerness, finding a lot of similarities but also many differences. It was also the type of novel that had me self reflecting on the state of the world, both in political and economic terms, with the freshness of the 2026 winter olympics painting a vivid backdrop for those thoughts to develop.
This book tore into my soul, and left me feeling wounded and raw, but in a way that I will be thinking about fondly for a long time. I am a firm believer that media, is sometimes meant to make us uncomfortable, its meant to be a bit hard to digest, and that if we can embrace that discomfort, we can learn a great many things.
This title explores the lives of two men, Jacob and Daniel. Their individual and combined struggles with race, sexuality, and status, all set in the backdrop of a changing Atlanta in the lead up to the 1996 Olympic Games. I found myself constantly pondering upon my own experiences with queerness, finding a lot of similarities but also many differences. It was also the type of novel that had me self reflecting on the state of the world, both in political and economic terms, with the freshness of the 2026 winter olympics painting a vivid backdrop for those thoughts to develop.
This book tore into my soul, and left me feeling wounded and raw, but in a way that I will be thinking about fondly for a long time. I am a firm believer that media, is sometimes meant to make us uncomfortable, its meant to be a bit hard to digest, and that if we can embrace that discomfort, we can learn a great many things.
February 10, 2026
I think like most short novels I've read, it needed more time. There was so much it was trying to cover and so little time. What was able to come across was powerful and the writing style was pretty. I just wish that we could have gotten more about gentrification (since it's described as a big part of the novel) and just more in general. Which also proves that it was good
February 17, 2026
Interesting, historical, definitely a slice of life with lots of emotional impact. While slow at some points, I enjoyed learning and reading about a community affected by new developments and also the relationships that grow and change, as well as very important Atlanta history.
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