Shirts and Skins

by Jeffrey Luscombe

A remarkable debut novel from Jeffrey Luscombe—a compelling series of linked stories of a young man’s coming-out, coming-of-age, and coming-to-terms with his family and fate.


Josh Moore lives with his family on the ‘wrong side’ of Hamilton, a gritty industrial city in southwestern Ontario. As a young boy, Josh plots an escape for a better life far from the steel mills that lined the bay. But fate has other plans and Josh discovers his adult life in Toronto is just as fraught with as many insecurities and missteps as his youth and he soon learns that no matter how far away he might run, he will never be able to leave his hometown behind.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Coming Of Age, Young Adult, Contemporary, M M Romance

ebook

First published May 24, 2012

About the author

Jeffrey Luscombe was born and raised in Hamilton, Canada. He holds a BA and MA in English from the University of Toronto and attended The Humber College School for Writers where he was mentored by Nino Ricci and Lauren B. Davis. He has had fiction published in many literary magazines including Zeugma Literary Journal, Filling Station Magazine and Pink Play Magazine. In 2010 Jeffrey was shortlisted for the Prism International Fiction Prize. In 2013 he was shortlisted for the Kerry Schooley Award by the Hamilton Arts Council for his novel Shirts and Skins. He also contributes articles, interviews and reviews to a number of international magazines. Jeffrey lives in Toronto, Canada with his husband.

His critically-acclaimed debut novel, Shirts and Skins, was released 2013. His highly-anticipated new novel, To Refrain From Embracing, was released in 2023.

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Reviews

[Matthew Crehan Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfectly charming and realistic story tracing a life from age 6 on through adulthood. It is written with precision in the language that takes it so naturally from the early wonderment and optimism of one's early years through the emotional highs and lows of growing up, to finding unexpected contentment in adulthood. While the narrative is largely centered on the main character - Josh - each of the many people in his life - from a lifelong complicated relationship with his father to a chance conference encounter leading to a revealing one night stand - is given a full, fleshed out, and memorable character. One of the books many strengths is in demonstrating that many people come into one's life, and whether they are there for a long time or a short time, that each has the potential to leave an indelible mark.

This is a worthwhile and engaging read from start to finish.

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a connection to "Shirts and Skins" that is purely coincidental. For a while, I lived near Hamilton, Ontario (and at times, lived in Hamilton itself). My life in Hamilton was rarely enjoyable, and when my father passed away - in a hospital in Hamilton - the place was cemented in my mind as somewhere I just never wanted to be again.

Connecting with Luscombe's character, Joshua Moore, was therefore immediate and gratifying. By the time Josh is a young adult, he's aware of how much he wants to leave Hamilton, and his inability to do so easily becomes a heartbeat of frustration and repression throughout the stories that make up the continuity of "Shirts and Skins."

The short stories are complete entities in and of themselves, and each visits Josh chronologically as he moves from being a mostly innocent child to an outgoing youth to a jaded and hardened young man and beyond. The stories are snapshots: important moments that define Josh and his journey, and bring the reader along for the ride. Sometimes the reader winces in empathy, sometimes the reader wants to reach in and shake Josh hard, but always I was involved and tangled in Josh's life.

It would be easy to dismiss these stories (and the book as a whole) as a "coming of age" progression. There are shades of that, yes, but I think there's a depth here that could be missed if you categorize the collection too quickly. Josh doesn't just progress, he regresses and represses. The orbit of his family members around him rings so true (and especially painful) that I could see, and smell, and taste the Hamilton I've avoided so long. That Josh was enough to make me revisit that place is one example of how engaging the characters and stories were.

I look forward to more Luscombe, and hope to find more of his tales.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting title, and the meaning will become clear as you read the book. I read the book in two sessions, and only because I had to entertain some friends. The story grabbed me right from its first page, when I am introduced to a young Josh, who lives in Hamilton,both his parents work, we meet the aunt,uncle, grandmother and friends,each one a unique character, in a very believable all be it dysfunctional setting,at times I could see cloudy Hamilton and smell the gasses from the steel mill's chimneys. We learn about Josh's younger years, schooling,deciding to forego education and getting a job in a factory which makes car parts. I did feel myself wondering when and how will he " come out" and after many pages and stories about his involvement with other people he does. I dislike reading to complete story line in reviews,so I highly recommend you to get the book and read it for yourself, it is so worthwhile!
I am looking forward to Jeffrey's next book.

[Hunter Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is fresh and honest. I liked Josh in all his stages of life. Would I have been friends with him in all of them? Only at the very end and the very beginning. Our paths would not have crossed in the middle stages, as I was at the opposite end of the spectrum in my teens and twenties. While Josh "avoided" by rebelling, I avoided by complying. The descriptions and insight are spot on. I especially liked the part where Josh described the change in his father; how there was no big red curtain that came up to reveal the change...rather it was so gradual and subtle he did not realize that it was happening. I quite liked this book!

[Ken Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shirts and Skins highlights the life of Josh Moore. The book starts off with the main character as a tiny six year old with asthma, and ends with him in his mid-thirties. We pass through significant chapters in Josh’s life as he grows up physically, mentally, and emotionally – not at the same time. Josh has to overcome several hardships and obstacles, many of which he created for himself. I won’t say too much at the risk of giving up important plot twists. I enjoyed the story even though through much of the book I did not like Josh. There were a lot of times in his life when he was not a very likeable person. But that is alright; we are not all likeable people. And in the end, Josh matures.

Jeffrey Luscombe is a talented writer. The characters were well developed, and the author does a great job with creating imagery from words. I’ve never been to Hamilton, but I can certainly picture it in my mind. The tale unfolds well, almost like a series of short stories. It kept me interested and I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to more works from this author.

[Chris Godwaldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times I was able to fully connect with Luscombe's main character, Josh, identifying myself in the awkwardness of gym classes and early teen same-sex, closeted crushes as well as hetero marriage and a late coming-out. The city scape was familiar and described both the realities and stereotypes of Hamilton, a city I love!

But Luscombe weaves a story that is identifiable for anyone who's ever felt like their life is just unfolding, perhaps not out-of-control, but definitely just in a march to a silent yet steady beat.

Are we simply creatures of fate or do we have the chance to seize our stories, to work towards reconciliation and to ultimately find happiness and contentment because of and in spite of our biological and environmental histories?

[K.N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through GR Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

This book reads like a memoir despite being fiction, covering the life of Joshua Moore from the age of six to his forties.

For a long, long time this book was rather dark and depressing, and there was a lot of drama (which is up my alley, so I liked it immensely, though others may not). It's not all hopeless though, and overall it was a very engaging and interesting read that ended rather neatly. I can't say that I loved this book, but I did really enjoy reading it.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and real. Josh is a character that you care about throughout all his experiences. I really enjoyed this book and had never read anything like it before. The short story concept within the novel framework moves the narrative forward beautifully and enhances the biography-like quality of the story.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment to me. It is one of the most prolonged coming out stories of all times. And although I certainly know of folks who come out long after they are married and divorced, this protagonist seemed particularly clueless. Plus I think the author chose not to dramatize the more important aha moments in his life.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find my full review of Shirts and Skins on my web site.

[Liz Bugg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeffrey Luscombe's Shirts and Skins is a strong debut novel. He is particularly successful at bringing to life the 1970's childhood of his main character. I look forward to book number two.

[Adam Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I noticed some errors in the Kindle edition I purchased the week of April 7th, 2013.

At 10%, page 27 – As smoked filled the car,
- should be smoke

At 38%, page 91 – his mother enjoyed telling people his Grandma is dead.
- should be was dead, not is dead. This is followed by another past tense sentence, this present tense verb doesn’t fit

At 63%, page 146 – “Hey, do you have another one of those things for your hair,” Rob asked. He pointed an unsteady finger at Josh’s head.”
- remove the closing quote after the word head, it’s not a quote

At 67%, page 155 – “Great costumes,” Lynn said.”
- remove the closing quote after the word said, it’s not a quote

At 77%, page 177, after Heads you live; tails you die. The italics continue unnecessarily.

Same place, same page, Like the rest of us”
- needs punctuation at the end of the paragraph
- also italics start again unnecessarily

At 91%, page 209 – Josh’ apartment
- needs an s, should be Josh’s apartment

At 95%, page 218 – “Is she’s crazy?” his father asked
- should be is she crazy

Same place, same page – “What’s that?” he asked pointing at a picture of a glass of orange juice on the menu.”
- remove the closing quote after the word menu, it’s not a quote



It’s difficult for me to write this review. I have met the author a few times in passing and I will see him again.

I will say up front this book was not for me. I see a lot of people liked it, and while the book had redeeming features, I felt like it was written for someone else, not me. When I first met the author, I read the free preview on Kindle and thought the book was overly dark and negative, so I didn’t buy it. But I kept seeing Jeffrey again and again, and finally the book was chosen for my book club so I read it.

The tone of the book starts out a little precious. I noted as an example:
“Josh was only seven but this was not the first secret that he and his father had shared. Adults liked to tell Josh secrets.”
On page 89, I came across the word, trite. I felt like in the sentence above, and some others, as the character was seven the author had to speak to me like I was seven which was unnecessary. It seemed to rectify itself as the character aged.

The setting is my childhood, in Hamilton instead of Lindsay. Everyone smokes, everyone is white, everyone is poor. “The only entertainment in his high school was drug sniffing dogs in the halls and the occasional sexual assault.”

There’s a saying about when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you. I looked into the abyss and got out as soon as possible. I fought so hard and fast to get away that it made me uncomfortable reading this book and being transported back. The protagonist of this book, Josh, doesn’t fight and let’s himself fall, let’s himself become one of the hated oppressors early on, and the book pretty much lost me from there.

When Josh becomes the lowest common denominator, I don’t know how he let that happen. When he pushes the kid and calls him a fag, when he dehumanizes women with a sexist comment and the school bully says “That’s exactly what I would have written”. How does he live with himself at that point? And how does he keep this up for 35 years? And why?

The narrator is a drunk, smokes a lot, and has no ambition. He’s petty. “And if a dead grandmother wasn’t enough, now I got a fucking hole in my boot.” I read another review that said she loved being in the author’s head. I hated it. Even in college he’s flicking “his wrist effeminately” and making fun of gays. I felt like I was reading a book about a homophobe, not a gay man.

The narrator doesn’t have a gay experience until page 200 of a 230 page book. I was reminded of a recent book by Robertson Davies I read where he says he isn’t more homosexual than most men. Neither is the narrator.

The narrator has a ponytail; I have never liked men with long hair. I have an aversion to them.

After the first time Josh has sex with a man, he says “I planned on having sex with a man this week” and goes on to talk about how he had planned all this. I took a writing course and they talked about getting in your character’s head and how sometimes you can draw the reader in by letting them in on a secret no one else knows. For example, the narrator can call someone and say they’re feeling good, even though the reader knows they’re feeling bad. It let’s the reader have a peek behind the scenes so to speak. The opposite happens with this, where the narrator knows something and he purposefully keeps the reader in the dark. He knew a week ago this was going to happen and took steps to make this happen? How did I not know about this? It alienated me. More so.

At the end of the book, Josh is looking around a restaurant at everyone else and thinking “They all looked so happy. So perfectly happy.” This really summed the book up for me. Even at the end when he has released his demons, he’s still looking around and thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Play your own hand Josh. Life is what you make it.

Although I was frustrated by this book, I know a lot of people who enjoyed it and I wholly recommend it to everyone. Support local authors.

[W.S. Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Shirts and Skins" is not your typical coming of age, coming out of the closet, gay romance novel.

The novel traces the story of Josh Moore from the days of young childhood, elementary and through adult age, passing through chapters of family life that depicted alcoholism, domestic abuse, bullying, and burying homosexual feelings until adulthood after a failed marriage. Along the way he is a victim of bullying, becomes a bully himself, feels the pang of lust for a close male friend, and has regrets of someone who almost became a father. His own relationship with his father is explored. The eventual collapse of his inner wall is shown in touching, poignant.

The best metaphor of this process of hiding behind a facade and emerging, in my opinion, is in this piece from the book:

"Mark put his arms around Josh's waist and kissed the back of his neck. 'Pick one out to take home––as a gift,' he whispered. Josh reached out and gently pulled the long silk and satin pieces of blue, green, red, and paisley cloth towards him. He let them drop. In an airy sweep, twenty ties waved a shimmering goodbye as they floated back into the hotel closet. Josh held back a sob. They were all so beautiful his heart was breaking."

At times, in the beginning of the book I saw some influences of J.D. Salinger, and then as the protagonist aged, I felt I was re-living memories of the author's life, some real, and some that were fictionalized. My only criticism of this book is that some characters drop in and out––interesting characters. Obviously if Mr. Luscombe wanted to develop each character, on the other hand, the novel may be Proustian in nature. (Yes, there's a Proust reference in this piece!)

If you're looking for a gay romance with lots of erotic elements, this book is not for you. The focus is not how the main character falls in love with someone else, or other people, but how Josh learns to love himself, and accept himself, despite everything in life that would have been barriers (be it where he was born, how he was raised, his lack of education, and his drifting life path through adulthood).

If you're looking for a book that is literary in nature that takes you down a path of how a man came in terms of his homosexuality then this book is for you.

[David Hallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicling the Journey

Jeffrey Luscombe’s first novel “Shirts and Skins” takes us on a journey of a life that has lots of valleys and a few peaks.

Luscombe writes convincing dialogue and much of the novel tracing the first thirty-odd years of the life of Josh, the main character, proceeds through his conversations and frequent arguments with family members. And he does have a colourful family indeed.

Some of the most powerful writing in “Shirts and Skins” occurs as Josh is struggling in his early years with a cantankerous father and desperate mother compounded by bullying and academic problems at school. I had to go back and check to see whether those early chapters had been written in the first person. They are not. But so authentic was the voice of the young alienated Josh that I remembered those sections as if Luscombe had had Josh narrating the storyline directly.

“Shirts and Skins” is a coming out story in a number of senses. No need for a spoiler alert - I won’t give away any of the critical plot developments. What I would observe is that through Josh’s journey we witness his struggling with a variety of demons some of which are imposed on him from external sources and some of which are self-generated. Luscombe takes us very effectively inside Josh’s head and heart as he wrestles with these various challenges.

There are plenty of dark moments in Josh’s journey and they are presented with candour and a lack of sentimentality for which I as a reader was grateful. There are also bright and comic moments that bring a ready smile and chuckle.

I look forward to adding more fiction works by Luscombe to my bookshelves in the years to come.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compelling story is about the life of Joshua Moore, born and raised near Toronto, Canada. At six years of age, he is plagued with asthma and is limited in activities with other children. While his mom struggles to work nights at a local factory, his dad struggles to hold a job; he'd rather drink beer and bet on the ponies. As Josh becomes a teenager, he is more alienated from his dad who now sinks further into mental strain and seldom leaves the house. Josh becomes bitter, he's different from other boys, and once humiliated by some mean-spirited boys, he is determined to act as they do by being a bully himself, and being disrespectful to adults, including his parents. At this point in the story you don't like this kid, and you know his future is going to be rough. He slides down the slope into alcohol abuse, and drugs, and eventually losing part of his hand at the steel plant he's worked at since high school. He has to stop for a bit, look at his life, and goes back to college, but it doesn't last; he continues drift on his raft of life. The author defines the memorable characters in this novel very well, as well as their idiosyncrasies. It's a very finely honed, powerful story. What Josh has done for 30 years is to imitate how others live their lives, or, to follow the crowd. But that is not truly living. One has to always step out of a costume, and build their own life in order to say, "I have found my true path." The author has defined this in his remarkable story. Highly recommend.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel that reads like a memoir, set in Hamilton, Ontario and starting when the main character Joshua was 6 years old and ending when he is in his mid-thirties. The character of the city of Hamilton floods every page, from the steel mills and the stripper bars to the heights of Ancaster; something to resonate for everyone from Hamilton, particularly from a certain era (like when computers were becoming a thing). Josh comes out as a gay man when he was over 30, lamenting all the time he missed. The author writes poignantly about Josh's relationship with his parents (his mother, who is indigenous, and his father, who suffers from mental illness and alcoholism and later from dementia). I first read this book in 2015 according to my goodreads list, but I appreciate it more this time around.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars.
Well written and poignent. Very matter of fact in all stages of Josh's life. His childhood scenes felt just like one would thnk as a child--facinating because the way he processed new information was just like I did as a child. Then as he got older the "wrong side of the tracks" was just too depressing so I started to skip. Josh eventually finds out that he is gay and gets his life together.
This is a solid story almost biography of a man. This is not a romance, but a real life with harsh reality and one takes comfort where one can. The end is sweet because Josh has a partner that has pushed him to better himself, unequivocally supports him and that he can grow old with.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shirts and Skins is a beautifully written, well spun story of growing up. I knew prior to reading that it was a coming of age and coming out story. I just never expected to be taken on such a deeply felt, complete journey.

This is not your typical coming out story. It's about family and self discovery with many twists and turns (and a few hints) along the way.

Richly layered, Jeffrey Luscombe has painted a wonderful landscape of literary heart. A good writer creates characters that you know like good friends. Luscombe has done just that. One of the best books I've read in a long, long time.

[Cait Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and not just because I want to suck up to Jeffrey. ;) He captures the essence of what it means to grow up in that edgy blue collar hood, where you have to act tough as nails, and maybe hide your true self. For me, Josh's being gay did nothing to detract how I related to him, because I did relate to him. He was like someone I grew up with. My friend Josh, who lives down the road. (Of course I will never stop saying that the true message of the story is: everything's better in the arms of an Irishman. Well, done, Jeffrey, in recognizing that.)

[Jorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend Shirts and Skins by Jeffrey Luscombe. I finished reading it this week and can't wait for his new novel. Interesting book about growing up gay (closeted) in blue collar steel mill Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Although the main character turns out to be gay, the story does not focus on that as much as it paints pictures with words of what was like to grow up in a Canadian industrial town in the 70s and 80s. It was fascinating to discover that world through the eyes of the main character from the time he was just a pre-primary school student well into his adult life.

[Jean-paul Audouy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I'm sure I will never want to live in Hamilton, Ontario! Keenly observed with a nice balance between emotions and lucidity. A coming out story but not only. And seemingly, a thinly veiled autobiography.

[Superstar2me · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect balance of the poignant, the funny and the absurd, Shirts and Skins is an excellent read. Loved it!

[Harry Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. The writing was exceptional, the descriptions of characters and places vivid, the story interesting and well-developed.

[Marq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being inside Josh's head. A really enjoyable read!

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story "told" in an interesting way / at different stages of the characters life.

[David Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Josh was a well developed character even though we didn't get every detail of his life. The author gave us enough to really get to know Josh. I recommend this book.

[Janet Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, really well done, especially the 'Skins' chapter. I'll be on the lookout for the next book from this author.

[John William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shirts and Skins is a compelling and emotionally resonant work that explores themes of identity, masculinity, and vulnerability through a fresh and honest lens. The story skillfully navigates the complexities of relationships, both personal and societal, delving into the inner lives of its characters with sensitivity and depth. With sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions, the narrative brings each scene to life, making the reader feel deeply connected to the emotional stakes at hand. Whether it's the raw tension of competition, the quiet intimacy of friendship, or the unspoken struggles of self-acceptance, Shirts and Skins handles each moment with authenticity and heart. The inclusion of elements like rwe shirts adds a layer of realism and cultural relevance, grounding the characters in a recognizable and relatable world. It’s a thought-provoking and poignant read that lingers long after the last page.

[Mark Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shirts and Skins was the first LGBTQ+ book I'd picked up in years. Jeffrey Luscombe turned me back on to fiction where I'd been generally reading nonfiction for such a long time. Josh Moore's coming out journey in Canada's small Hamilton was sometimes gut wrenching, mostly heartwarming and beckoned me to cheer him on as I turned every page. It's a good ride. Also, looking forward to Luscombe's second book.

[Lou Zieffle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has great potential. And also had moments that were really good. It does depict the inner struggles of Joshua but I wish the thread tying it all together was stronger. A really good 1st novel and I would read another. That being said he did better than I could do in his writing. Cudos for writing!