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Isaac
Set in London across a single, life-altering summer, Isaac interrogates masculinity and queerness in the digital age and offers a fresh take on desire and intimacy, adolescent obsession and dangerous first love.
After inexperienced seventeen-year-old Isaac loses his virginity through a dating app - a disappointing yet addictive experience - he spends his final months before university escaping into a dizzying new world of casual sex with forgettable men. This all changes when he meets twenty-eight-year-old Harrison at a party.
Isaac is immediately infatuated by the handsome, charismatic artist, but while they grow closer, his sense of self becomes increasingly hazy. Harrison's demands shift constantly, and after Isaac tries everything to prove his worthiness, he must take a hard look at his ideas about love, sex and men, and his relationship with himself.
After inexperienced seventeen-year-old Isaac loses his virginity through a dating app - a disappointing yet addictive experience - he spends his final months before university escaping into a dizzying new world of casual sex with forgettable men. This all changes when he meets twenty-eight-year-old Harrison at a party.
Isaac is immediately infatuated by the handsome, charismatic artist, but while they grow closer, his sense of self becomes increasingly hazy. Harrison's demands shift constantly, and after Isaac tries everything to prove his worthiness, he must take a hard look at his ideas about love, sex and men, and his relationship with himself.
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
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2676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
July 23, 2024
behold ! the best book i’ve read this year so far !! 🤩
set in london across a single, life-altering summer we are introduced to 17 year old isaac, who loses his virginity through a dating app, as he spends his final months before leaving for university escaping into a world of casual sex with forgettable men. this all changes when he meets 28 year old harrison and isaac is immediately infatuated.
this book follows them both as they grow closer but as harrison’s demands shift constantly, isaac tries everything to prove his worthiness to him even when his sense of self becomes increasingly hazy - he is then forced to take a hard look at his ideas of sex, men, love and his relationship with himself.
holy shit, it’s been a while since i read a debut as powerful, poignant and polished as this and i know it’s one i’ll keep coming back to time and time again.
this book is absolutely phenomenal in all aspects of the word. curtis has done an incredible job of creating such a real, relatable character with isaac that you can’t help but imagine yourself as him as you read. it’s so refreshing to be reminded that your lived experiences as a gay man are shared and you’re not alone in them. issac is an absolute masterclass in storytelling and i am completely charmed by the writing in this - it’s so beautiful, poetic, visceral and not a single word has been wasted on the page.
I instantly fell in love with this book from the first few pages and i’m excited to rave about it every single day until and after it’s out 🫶🏼 !! i can already sense this being a HUGE hit and I will make it my sole mission to ensure it thrives as i adored it that much. this is one that i know will stay with me for a very, very long time - truly remarkable.
extremely grateful to @verve_books (once again) & @curtis_garner for sending me an early copy. the feeling of discovering a book so special that hasn’t even hit the selves yet will never ever get old and i can’t thank you enough.
set in london across a single, life-altering summer we are introduced to 17 year old isaac, who loses his virginity through a dating app, as he spends his final months before leaving for university escaping into a world of casual sex with forgettable men. this all changes when he meets 28 year old harrison and isaac is immediately infatuated.
this book follows them both as they grow closer but as harrison’s demands shift constantly, isaac tries everything to prove his worthiness to him even when his sense of self becomes increasingly hazy - he is then forced to take a hard look at his ideas of sex, men, love and his relationship with himself.
holy shit, it’s been a while since i read a debut as powerful, poignant and polished as this and i know it’s one i’ll keep coming back to time and time again.
this book is absolutely phenomenal in all aspects of the word. curtis has done an incredible job of creating such a real, relatable character with isaac that you can’t help but imagine yourself as him as you read. it’s so refreshing to be reminded that your lived experiences as a gay man are shared and you’re not alone in them. issac is an absolute masterclass in storytelling and i am completely charmed by the writing in this - it’s so beautiful, poetic, visceral and not a single word has been wasted on the page.
I instantly fell in love with this book from the first few pages and i’m excited to rave about it every single day until and after it’s out 🫶🏼 !! i can already sense this being a HUGE hit and I will make it my sole mission to ensure it thrives as i adored it that much. this is one that i know will stay with me for a very, very long time - truly remarkable.
extremely grateful to @verve_books (once again) & @curtis_garner for sending me an early copy. the feeling of discovering a book so special that hasn’t even hit the selves yet will never ever get old and i can’t thank you enough.
March 4, 2025
This might be the coming-of-age novel I've always been looking for.
October 26, 2025
This was such a relatable coming of age story and Garner did exceptionally well at the depiction of a modern queer life and all that comes with it.
At times the relationship between I & H leans into the trope of “naïve younger person + older but flawed mentor/lover”. And I felt that dynamic become quite predictable and repetitive.
Regardless, this was overall a strong, compelling debut that is honest and vividly written and I will recommend.
At times the relationship between I & H leans into the trope of “naïve younger person + older but flawed mentor/lover”. And I felt that dynamic become quite predictable and repetitive.
Regardless, this was overall a strong, compelling debut that is honest and vividly written and I will recommend.
September 23, 2025
*3.5*
Este libro es una experiencia que creo mucha gente dentro de la comunidad lgbt (especialmente hombres) pueden encontrar familiar. Como lector, fácilmente puedo decir "aja, es que esto lo siento tan, tan real" mientras lo estaba leyendo, y eso al final termina siendo un arma de doble filo. Sí, es muy realista, pero eso no quiera decir que me guste. Simplemente porque no entra dentro de lo que me encanta leer en la literatura queer lol.
Este libro es crudo, es messy, es sexual y es sentimental. Es un montón de elementos que conforman de una manera muy real lo cabrón, lo confuso, lo demandante y lo extraño que es crecer como un hombre gay, adentrarte a un mundo hiper enfocado en lo sexual, y caer en las manos de alguien que te promete una fantasía en el momento donde más la necesitas.
Creo que lo que me costó trabajo en la mayoría del libro fue mi falta de conexión con Isaac, lo que hizo que sintiera muy poca empatía por él. Tal vez se deba a que leí un reflejo de muchas cosas cosas que me parecen familiares y por ende me costó entablar ese lazo con el protagonista, o tal vez simplemente no congeniamos. Más hacia el final de la novela fue cuando encontré el espacio para entenderlo y escucharlo de mejor manera, y las últimas 100 páginas si me encantaron bastante, pero si fue un arduo trabajo leerlo casi todo el tiempo.
Este libro no es ligero ni nada, de hecho tiene un montón de trigger warnings. No es una historia que particularmente recomendaria, dado que creo que no es para todo el mundo. Pero aprecio mucho lo que hizo el autor, y la verdad siento que me gustó su trabajo. Estoy interesado en ver que otra cisa escribe, ya que podría ser una voz interesante si sigue tratando estos temas.
Este libro es una experiencia que creo mucha gente dentro de la comunidad lgbt (especialmente hombres) pueden encontrar familiar. Como lector, fácilmente puedo decir "aja, es que esto lo siento tan, tan real" mientras lo estaba leyendo, y eso al final termina siendo un arma de doble filo. Sí, es muy realista, pero eso no quiera decir que me guste. Simplemente porque no entra dentro de lo que me encanta leer en la literatura queer lol.
Este libro es crudo, es messy, es sexual y es sentimental. Es un montón de elementos que conforman de una manera muy real lo cabrón, lo confuso, lo demandante y lo extraño que es crecer como un hombre gay, adentrarte a un mundo hiper enfocado en lo sexual, y caer en las manos de alguien que te promete una fantasía en el momento donde más la necesitas.
Creo que lo que me costó trabajo en la mayoría del libro fue mi falta de conexión con Isaac, lo que hizo que sintiera muy poca empatía por él. Tal vez se deba a que leí un reflejo de muchas cosas cosas que me parecen familiares y por ende me costó entablar ese lazo con el protagonista, o tal vez simplemente no congeniamos. Más hacia el final de la novela fue cuando encontré el espacio para entenderlo y escucharlo de mejor manera, y las últimas 100 páginas si me encantaron bastante, pero si fue un arduo trabajo leerlo casi todo el tiempo.
Este libro no es ligero ni nada, de hecho tiene un montón de trigger warnings. No es una historia que particularmente recomendaria, dado que creo que no es para todo el mundo. Pero aprecio mucho lo que hizo el autor, y la verdad siento que me gustó su trabajo. Estoy interesado en ver que otra cisa escribe, ya que podría ser una voz interesante si sigue tratando estos temas.
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November 3, 2025Absolutely brilliant, painfully relatable gay coming of age novel. Isaac will break your heart, but also make you feel solidarity in the ache and confusion of figuring out the human you’re meant to be and the damage others can inflict along the way.
March 23, 2025
Double bill: read this little gem and watch Invisible Boys. Then, just be happy.
March 23, 2025
Curtis Garner's debut novel, Isaac, is a captivating coming-of-age exploration of sexuality in the digital age. The book follows 17-year-old Isaac while he navigates his sexual awakening. He then decides to download an app where he engages in a series of sexual encounters. His journey takes a turn when he meets Harrison, a 28-year-old queer artist, at a sex party. Yes, this novel contains explicit descriptions of sex, but in the right measure and serves a purpose. "The only way to perceive meaning was through meaninglessness."
One of the strengths of the novel lies in Garner's portrayal of Isaac's relationships, particularly with his best friend Cherish. Her vibrant personality and unwavering friendship provide a powerful counterpoint to Isaac's destructive habits. The dynamic between Isaac and his strong, admirable mother also adds depth and emotional intelligence to the story. The characters are relatable and offer a great balance in Isaac's life.
Garner's prose is beautiful and evocative – "Some students were sprawled out on a patch of grass as if acting out the aftermath of a lost battle, bags and jumpers, limbs at angles, their eyes closed to the April sun" – if occasionally over-embellished. His writing style is raw and unflinching, which might not resonate with every reader. I adored the cat Christopher Wren (what a name!). There is also humour in Garner's prose: "I know people who can read music, others who can read Latin, but very few people who can read a room!"
Curtis handles sensitive topics like fetishes and kinks realistically and sensitively. It forces the reader to confront their prejudices often accompanied by a lack of understanding. It is a masterclass in queerness. The novel also explores drug use, highlighting its role in both social connection and personal exploration. The exploration of these themes adds to the novel's authenticity and impact.
Not without its flaws, at times events seem to occur only to fit the narrative or were superficially explored. There is one aspect that REALLY needed more exploration, and it's one of the reasons I downrated this book. Perhaps 50 more pages would be ideal. Despite this, Isaac is a most-needed book to discuss, absorb and enjoy. The inclusion of book club questions at the end is a great bonus and I strongly encourage you to check it out.
Overall, Isaac is an accomplished debut that will resonate with many readers interested in queerness, coming-of-age, sexuality, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Thank you Curtis Garner and Verve Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
One of the strengths of the novel lies in Garner's portrayal of Isaac's relationships, particularly with his best friend Cherish. Her vibrant personality and unwavering friendship provide a powerful counterpoint to Isaac's destructive habits. The dynamic between Isaac and his strong, admirable mother also adds depth and emotional intelligence to the story. The characters are relatable and offer a great balance in Isaac's life.
Garner's prose is beautiful and evocative – "Some students were sprawled out on a patch of grass as if acting out the aftermath of a lost battle, bags and jumpers, limbs at angles, their eyes closed to the April sun" – if occasionally over-embellished. His writing style is raw and unflinching, which might not resonate with every reader. I adored the cat Christopher Wren (what a name!). There is also humour in Garner's prose: "I know people who can read music, others who can read Latin, but very few people who can read a room!"
Curtis handles sensitive topics like fetishes and kinks realistically and sensitively. It forces the reader to confront their prejudices often accompanied by a lack of understanding. It is a masterclass in queerness. The novel also explores drug use, highlighting its role in both social connection and personal exploration. The exploration of these themes adds to the novel's authenticity and impact.
Not without its flaws, at times events seem to occur only to fit the narrative or were superficially explored. There is one aspect that REALLY needed more exploration, and it's one of the reasons I downrated this book. Perhaps 50 more pages would be ideal. Despite this, Isaac is a most-needed book to discuss, absorb and enjoy. The inclusion of book club questions at the end is a great bonus and I strongly encourage you to check it out.
Overall, Isaac is an accomplished debut that will resonate with many readers interested in queerness, coming-of-age, sexuality, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Thank you Curtis Garner and Verve Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 26, 2025
Dating apps? What a way to cut corners just to get a leg over! Today you order sex online just like you would a pizza, the only difference being that the delivery man and the goods are one and the same.
The long and short of Isaac- this drag of a book? In the first half, seventeen-year-old Isaac flip-flops between two main obsessions: having a fag and having a shag (1). Truly I think he's like a bag full of hot air, and I feel vindicated as soon as I read about him on page 57:" There was too much breath in his body to exhale, too little to inhale."
Past chapter 16, the hope for enjoying at long last something worth reading is short-lived. Isaac and his fifty shades of gay are just trivia laced with cheap porn. I doubt a reader in his teens could ever find anything interesting in so dull a book. Every scene depicts everyday life at its most mundane. Every character is lacking in any sense of depth. Here is a sample of what I find pathetic: "His mother had said she knew Isaac was gay from when he was little because he used to watch the washing machine, write poems, practise the signature he would have when he grew up, fastidiously cared for his clothes and shoes, and lied in eye tests so that he could wear glasses. She'd catch him stealing her tampons to watch them expand in pint glasses of water and practising kissing by puckering his lips in the crease of his elbow."
Even when there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, like in chapter 23 when Isaac tries to explain to Cherish that love is not always black and white, not "all as simple as staying or leaving" - a thought I share- Curtis Garner spoils the moment. He's such a sloppy novelist that his sentences about how to cook rashers are actually better in the end than those devoted to his mawkish characters!
Somewhere else, Garner writes that "bad things just happen, and sometimes you get caught up in them". A fitting definition for this read, I should say!
(1) Fag = British slang for cigarette. Don't misread me, I am not being rude!
The long and short of Isaac- this drag of a book? In the first half, seventeen-year-old Isaac flip-flops between two main obsessions: having a fag and having a shag (1). Truly I think he's like a bag full of hot air, and I feel vindicated as soon as I read about him on page 57:" There was too much breath in his body to exhale, too little to inhale."
Past chapter 16, the hope for enjoying at long last something worth reading is short-lived. Isaac and his fifty shades of gay are just trivia laced with cheap porn. I doubt a reader in his teens could ever find anything interesting in so dull a book. Every scene depicts everyday life at its most mundane. Every character is lacking in any sense of depth. Here is a sample of what I find pathetic: "His mother had said she knew Isaac was gay from when he was little because he used to watch the washing machine, write poems, practise the signature he would have when he grew up, fastidiously cared for his clothes and shoes, and lied in eye tests so that he could wear glasses. She'd catch him stealing her tampons to watch them expand in pint glasses of water and practising kissing by puckering his lips in the crease of his elbow."
Even when there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, like in chapter 23 when Isaac tries to explain to Cherish that love is not always black and white, not "all as simple as staying or leaving" - a thought I share- Curtis Garner spoils the moment. He's such a sloppy novelist that his sentences about how to cook rashers are actually better in the end than those devoted to his mawkish characters!
Somewhere else, Garner writes that "bad things just happen, and sometimes you get caught up in them". A fitting definition for this read, I should say!
(1) Fag = British slang for cigarette. Don't misread me, I am not being rude!
May 2, 2025
So here's the thing, I'm someone with a specific reading taste, one I've had for me entire life as a reader.
Romance, fantasy, mystery thrillers and the occassional popular fiction book every now and then.
I'm not a literary fiction kind of reader but I've been on a mission to expand my horizons and reading taste which lead me to kick off that journey with Isaac by Curtis Garner.
The thing is that after having finished Isaac, I still genuinely don't know what the point of this book is.
I don't know what it was trying to tell, teach or show me, and that's the part that has me very confused.
The writing was a bit too pretentious for me, personally speaking, and I honestly can't say that any of these characters in this book were likeable, both of which made for a tough reading experience.
BUT I will say that the author exploring Grindr and hookup culture, albeit briefly which was disappointing because I expected more of it, and the incredibly toxic and fucked up dynamic between Isaac and Harrison had me intrigued enough to push through and complete this book.
Was it worth it? I honestly don't know but I certainly enjoyed the last 20% a bit more than the beginning and middle.
I feel like the pay-off with Harrison and Isaac was nowhere near as satisfying as I wished it would be but I found Karim's late inclusion into the story and his blossoming soft relationship with Adam to be very sweet and I low-key wish we had gotten a bit more of that.
Romance, fantasy, mystery thrillers and the occassional popular fiction book every now and then.
I'm not a literary fiction kind of reader but I've been on a mission to expand my horizons and reading taste which lead me to kick off that journey with Isaac by Curtis Garner.
The thing is that after having finished Isaac, I still genuinely don't know what the point of this book is.
I don't know what it was trying to tell, teach or show me, and that's the part that has me very confused.
The writing was a bit too pretentious for me, personally speaking, and I honestly can't say that any of these characters in this book were likeable, both of which made for a tough reading experience.
BUT I will say that the author exploring Grindr and hookup culture, albeit briefly which was disappointing because I expected more of it, and the incredibly toxic and fucked up dynamic between Isaac and Harrison had me intrigued enough to push through and complete this book.
Was it worth it? I honestly don't know but I certainly enjoyed the last 20% a bit more than the beginning and middle.
I feel like the pay-off with Harrison and Isaac was nowhere near as satisfying as I wished it would be but I found Karim's late inclusion into the story and his blossoming soft relationship with Adam to be very sweet and I low-key wish we had gotten a bit more of that.
December 12, 2025
Isaac’s pretty cool. A little lost and confused, but totally real and really relatable.
September 5, 2024
This is such an excellent debut; it is so compelling I literally read it across a 24 hour period. You are flung into the world Isaac is beginning to explore without any hesitation and I love it. It is so easy to fly through this book. The prose is very accessible but not to the point it is plain, or dull.
"London would always be his home, but it made him feel so self-aware; it lacked any sort of provincial comfort, and nobody felt young because panicked ambition was so ubiquitous, making everything feel shallow and selfish and scary, as if time and space were different there."
So here is what I found most enticing; this world we are introduced to isn't one I know and yet, there were instances where, due to the high standard of writing and story-telling, you are so immersed that it feels almost relatable. I know of it through other peoples told experiences (I have queer male friends who have informed me of the horrors of these dating apps) but, as a queer woman, these experiences are not at all personal to me. And yet, Isaac's experiences resonate so strongly with the reader! It's fab.
"I thought the point of being queer was to reject all these toxic notions invented by the people who oppress you."
I love the exploration into queer identities in this, some of the conversations that are had between characters are so typical it's almost amusing.
"He looked at her once more; in a life that felt like it was perpetually changing, those around him who didn't change took on a new significance."
I've tried to keep this shorter than usual to not blab on but more or less I think this is an excellent novel and I hope when it is published in November it does incredibly well!!
"London would always be his home, but it made him feel so self-aware; it lacked any sort of provincial comfort, and nobody felt young because panicked ambition was so ubiquitous, making everything feel shallow and selfish and scary, as if time and space were different there."
So here is what I found most enticing; this world we are introduced to isn't one I know and yet, there were instances where, due to the high standard of writing and story-telling, you are so immersed that it feels almost relatable. I know of it through other peoples told experiences (I have queer male friends who have informed me of the horrors of these dating apps) but, as a queer woman, these experiences are not at all personal to me. And yet, Isaac's experiences resonate so strongly with the reader! It's fab.
"I thought the point of being queer was to reject all these toxic notions invented by the people who oppress you."
I love the exploration into queer identities in this, some of the conversations that are had between characters are so typical it's almost amusing.
"He looked at her once more; in a life that felt like it was perpetually changing, those around him who didn't change took on a new significance."
I've tried to keep this shorter than usual to not blab on but more or less I think this is an excellent novel and I hope when it is published in November it does incredibly well!!
September 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Verve Books for this ARC!
“Isaac” is the coming of age story of our central character, Isaac, who lives with his mother and stepfather in London. Isaac is gay, in his last year of sixth form, and has recently started hooking up with other guys via Grindr. This is also how he meets Harrison, who he quickly develops feelings for and a relationship with.
This book truly knew how to hit you right in the guts, showing us all of Isaac’s struggles in a way you cant help emphasising with and, unfortunately, relating to.
He deals with body-image and mental health issues, an upset in his family life, and an abusive relationship with a significantly older man.
This is the kind of book that I really wish I would’ve been able to read when I was around the same age as Isaac is in this book, and I’m glad that it exists now for others to read who may be in similar situations. It doesn’t shy away from showing the negative side of things, rather than just glamourising the lifestyle Isaac chooses to lead in the beginning of this book.
I really cherished the way Isaac’s relationship with his mother and his best friend were described, and the author did a wonderful job of showing how having a support system can really make all the difference.
Overall I think this was a lovely, emotional read, and I really hope that the right people are able to find this at the right time in their lives and feel comforted seeing themselves and their experiences represented.
“Isaac” is the coming of age story of our central character, Isaac, who lives with his mother and stepfather in London. Isaac is gay, in his last year of sixth form, and has recently started hooking up with other guys via Grindr. This is also how he meets Harrison, who he quickly develops feelings for and a relationship with.
This book truly knew how to hit you right in the guts, showing us all of Isaac’s struggles in a way you cant help emphasising with and, unfortunately, relating to.
He deals with body-image and mental health issues, an upset in his family life, and an abusive relationship with a significantly older man.
This is the kind of book that I really wish I would’ve been able to read when I was around the same age as Isaac is in this book, and I’m glad that it exists now for others to read who may be in similar situations. It doesn’t shy away from showing the negative side of things, rather than just glamourising the lifestyle Isaac chooses to lead in the beginning of this book.
I really cherished the way Isaac’s relationship with his mother and his best friend were described, and the author did a wonderful job of showing how having a support system can really make all the difference.
Overall I think this was a lovely, emotional read, and I really hope that the right people are able to find this at the right time in their lives and feel comforted seeing themselves and their experiences represented.
May 19, 2025
This book was not at all what I expected. From the first few chapters I was getting horny gay fiction vibes about the beginning of a guy’s sex life. This book got deep! For any gay guy out there, you will read and reflect on your own memories at the start. The two main characters, Isaac and Harrison are interesting and complex. I won’t give anything away, but I was constantly conflicted how I felt about Isaac. What happens to him isn’t great, but his views and obsessions make me question his personality.
Highly recommend. Even if you can’t relate, this makes a wonderful modern book.
Highly recommend. Even if you can’t relate, this makes a wonderful modern book.
November 3, 2024
Some books, for no rhyme or reason, just connect with you, feeling like portals. This was one of those books. Every time I opened it up, I was consumed inside of it. Maybe for relatable themes, maybe for the consistent plot, or maybe it was simply a great book! (Or maybe it was Maybelline!) There was good writing, descriptive in the right ways. This sort of genre, being written from within the mind of the protagonist while also being a 3rd party, is the style that always captivates me. Sometimes I wish it had gone deeper and displayed certain emotions in a more straight-forward yet still poetic kind of way, as I fear some people might not appreciate the book if they don’t connect to its themes. I always would’ve liked more insight into H’s motives and thoughts, but I understand why that lacked. Overall though, great read and I’m looking forward to seeing how sales and reviews come through once it publishes! A huge recommend to those who grew up queer with feelings of self-doubt.
November 18, 2024
Isaac is a character who will stay with me for a long time. After finishing the book in nearly one sitting, I often find myself thinking about him.
In his debut, Curtis achieves a rare depth of character development, crafting a protagonist so vivid that you might do a double take if you ran into him in Hackney Wick or Dalston. The authenticity in Isaac’s voice makes his journey feel deeply personal and familiar.
Curtis captures the queer experience with razor sharp prose, laying bare the anxieties and raw vulnerability of growing up. The narrative builds with an uneasy crescendo as Isaac yearns to find himself amid uncertainty. And for those of us who live in London, Isaac’s story is made even more tangible by the vivid descriptions of the city we call home.
I can’t wait to see more from Curtis in years to come!
In his debut, Curtis achieves a rare depth of character development, crafting a protagonist so vivid that you might do a double take if you ran into him in Hackney Wick or Dalston. The authenticity in Isaac’s voice makes his journey feel deeply personal and familiar.
Curtis captures the queer experience with razor sharp prose, laying bare the anxieties and raw vulnerability of growing up. The narrative builds with an uneasy crescendo as Isaac yearns to find himself amid uncertainty. And for those of us who live in London, Isaac’s story is made even more tangible by the vivid descriptions of the city we call home.
I can’t wait to see more from Curtis in years to come!
February 25, 2025
Poignant, cerebral, visceral, and devastating. This book is a masterclass of a character study that hones in on the titular character with precision and depth. So many important topics explored -- casual sex, abusive relationships, mental health. This is an amazing debut that has convinced me to read anything else that Curtis Garner publishes in the future.
September 3, 2025
3,5. Isaac tiene 17 años, y como cualquier joven de su edad, arde en deseos de experimentar con su sexualidad. Estas ganas de intimar con otros lo llevan a las típicas aplicaciones para conocer gente. Sin embargo, lo que podría ser la búsqueda de un joven por descubrirse y disfrutar de su cuerpo, acabará sumergiéndolo en una vorágine de amor, obsesión y autodesprecio. En una fiesta, Isaac conoce a Harrison, de 28 años, del cual quedará rápidamente prendado. Harrison no tiene reparos en empezar una destructiva relación con Isaac, pese a la diferencia de edad, y aprovechándose de la evidente falta de experiencia que da la juventud, frustrará todos sus complejos e inseguridades en el vulnerable Isaac.
Mientras leía “Isaac”, he sentido una mezcla de emociones muy variadas, tanto por los temas que toca, como por la forma en la que se desarrolla la historia en sí, y es que, a pesar de ser una historia que recomiendo porque habla de temas muy complejos y lo hace de una forma directa, sin sutilezas, también tiene algunas cosas que no me han terminado de convencer. Es curioso porque pasaba de emocionarme con una escena, a sentir cierto desencanto con algo concreto páginas después. En fin, cosas de leer. Aunque insisto, en términos generales, me ha gustado mucho. Voy a tratar de explicar sin hacer mucho spoiler lo bueno y lo no tan bueno.
“Isaac” de Curtis Garner toca una gran variedad de temas, y creo que en la mayoría de casos, lo hace con buen gusto. Mi favorito ha sido justamente con el que más he sufrido. Nuestro protagonista, sediento de experiencias que le hagan sentirse querido y deseado, acaba manteniendo relaciones con un sinfín de hombres que, lejos de valorarlo y ayudarlo a explorar su propia sexualidad, lo usan como si de un mero instrumento se tratase. La historia muestra muchas escenas de sexo y ni una sola me ha producido algo que no sea incomodidad o tristeza. Isaac no participa de estos encuentros, solo acude como un espectador que no tiene ni voz ni voto, quedando su cuerpo sometido al capricho de extraños. Es muy desagradable ver a Isaac exponiéndose así ante gente que solo desea su propio gozo, pero también es fácil sentirse identificado con Isaac al pensar en los primeros pasos que cualquiera da cuando es joven y se acerca a sus primeras experiencias. Siempre queremos gustar y acabamos adaptándonos. Confieso que en estos momentos me hubiera gustado entrar en la novela para abrazar a Isaac y hacerle cosas poco éticas tanto a Harrison, como a otros con los que intima.
La historia también nos habla del abuso de poder que ejerce quien se cree por encima de otro y como esto desemboca en un maltrato consciente por parte de Harrison a Isaac, consiguiendo este que el amor propio de su víctima llegue a los lugares más bajos posibles. Adoro que el autor llame las cosas por su nombre y sea capaz de reflejar infinitos escenarios de abuso que cualquier lector con sensibilidad podrá identificar. También valoro que las personas que rodean a Isaac verbalicen rápidamente sus dudas ante la relación y lo que está provocando en él.
Una cosa que me ha tocado profundamente es ver el poco valor que Isaac se da así mismo, y como las situaciones en las que se mete, afectan aún más sus inseguridades, haciéndole tomar decisiones cuestionables. La salud mental de Isaac se ve cada vez más deteriorada, y creo que el libro muestra bien todas esas fases por las que pasan las víctimas de estos monstruos y como, aunque a veces desde fuera no se entiendan sus actitudes, la autoestima queda tan destrozada, que las personas solo pueden tratar de recoger los pedazos de esta y poco más. Es imposible no empatizar con un joven con complejos y poco amor propio, porque muchos hemos estado ahí.
Si bien es cierto que me gusta como el autor refleja las dinámicas que se dan en este tipo de relaciones, en algunos momentos, donde ocurren sucesos graves, esperaba encontrar reacciones más activas o defensivas por parte de algunos personajes. No me refiero solo a Isaac, pues es entendible que se encuentra inmerso en esta situación dolorosa, sino al resto. También se me quedaron flojos algunos encuentros entre ambos protagonistas que prometían una intensidad o incluso un punto de resarcimiento que, para mí, no terminaron de conseguir. Puede que sea cosa mía, pero me faltó algo que me hiciera sentir la importancia que estos encuentros debían tener.
Por otra parte, hay una cosa que me produce mucho rechazo cada vez que leo sobre esto en una novela y es el tema del consumo de sustancias. No me suelen agradar las historias que dan demasiadas vueltas sobre el tema, hasta el punto de normalizar el consumo entre los jóvenes en según que contextos, pero todavía me provoca más rechazo cuando resulta que los personajes, estén en la situación que estén o tengan la edad que tengan, se pasan todas las páginas drogándose o bebiendo alcohol a niveles preocupantes. Inicialmente, Isaac se ve envuelto en esta espiral de sexo y desenfreno, contexto en el que empieza a consumir cuando se dan algunos de estos encuentros, un recurso interesante que podría hacer sentir al lector lo perdido que se encuentra el protagonista. Hasta ahí bien, pero Isaac no solo consume en estos ambientes y con todos los hombres que conoce, también lo hace con sus amigos “sanos” de la universidad, lo hace con su mejor amiga, incluso bebe con su madre, la cual se pasa toda la novela emborrachándose sin parar. Sé que esto es una apreciación tremendamente personal, pero es un recurso que me agota, y más cuando todos los personajes normalizan el consumo al nivel de que solo les falta usar otro tipo de azúcar para endulzar el café. Creo que se me entiende. Lo dicho, me agota.
En definitiva, aun con este momento hater contra la normalización del consumo, no quiero dar un mensaje equivocado, es una historia buena, que merece ser leída y que toca cuestiones muy importantes de las que hay que seguir hablando como el abuso de poder, el maltrato, la diferencia de edad en las relaciones, la autoestima o la salud mental, pero me hubiera gustado sentir que este consumo excesivo era otro tema que denunciar en la historia y no fue así. Ahora bien, sin lugar a dudas, es una obra que recomiendo.
Mientras leía “Isaac”, he sentido una mezcla de emociones muy variadas, tanto por los temas que toca, como por la forma en la que se desarrolla la historia en sí, y es que, a pesar de ser una historia que recomiendo porque habla de temas muy complejos y lo hace de una forma directa, sin sutilezas, también tiene algunas cosas que no me han terminado de convencer. Es curioso porque pasaba de emocionarme con una escena, a sentir cierto desencanto con algo concreto páginas después. En fin, cosas de leer. Aunque insisto, en términos generales, me ha gustado mucho. Voy a tratar de explicar sin hacer mucho spoiler lo bueno y lo no tan bueno.
“Isaac” de Curtis Garner toca una gran variedad de temas, y creo que en la mayoría de casos, lo hace con buen gusto. Mi favorito ha sido justamente con el que más he sufrido. Nuestro protagonista, sediento de experiencias que le hagan sentirse querido y deseado, acaba manteniendo relaciones con un sinfín de hombres que, lejos de valorarlo y ayudarlo a explorar su propia sexualidad, lo usan como si de un mero instrumento se tratase. La historia muestra muchas escenas de sexo y ni una sola me ha producido algo que no sea incomodidad o tristeza. Isaac no participa de estos encuentros, solo acude como un espectador que no tiene ni voz ni voto, quedando su cuerpo sometido al capricho de extraños. Es muy desagradable ver a Isaac exponiéndose así ante gente que solo desea su propio gozo, pero también es fácil sentirse identificado con Isaac al pensar en los primeros pasos que cualquiera da cuando es joven y se acerca a sus primeras experiencias. Siempre queremos gustar y acabamos adaptándonos. Confieso que en estos momentos me hubiera gustado entrar en la novela para abrazar a Isaac y hacerle cosas poco éticas tanto a Harrison, como a otros con los que intima.
La historia también nos habla del abuso de poder que ejerce quien se cree por encima de otro y como esto desemboca en un maltrato consciente por parte de Harrison a Isaac, consiguiendo este que el amor propio de su víctima llegue a los lugares más bajos posibles. Adoro que el autor llame las cosas por su nombre y sea capaz de reflejar infinitos escenarios de abuso que cualquier lector con sensibilidad podrá identificar. También valoro que las personas que rodean a Isaac verbalicen rápidamente sus dudas ante la relación y lo que está provocando en él.
Una cosa que me ha tocado profundamente es ver el poco valor que Isaac se da así mismo, y como las situaciones en las que se mete, afectan aún más sus inseguridades, haciéndole tomar decisiones cuestionables. La salud mental de Isaac se ve cada vez más deteriorada, y creo que el libro muestra bien todas esas fases por las que pasan las víctimas de estos monstruos y como, aunque a veces desde fuera no se entiendan sus actitudes, la autoestima queda tan destrozada, que las personas solo pueden tratar de recoger los pedazos de esta y poco más. Es imposible no empatizar con un joven con complejos y poco amor propio, porque muchos hemos estado ahí.
Si bien es cierto que me gusta como el autor refleja las dinámicas que se dan en este tipo de relaciones, en algunos momentos, donde ocurren sucesos graves, esperaba encontrar reacciones más activas o defensivas por parte de algunos personajes. No me refiero solo a Isaac, pues es entendible que se encuentra inmerso en esta situación dolorosa, sino al resto. También se me quedaron flojos algunos encuentros entre ambos protagonistas que prometían una intensidad o incluso un punto de resarcimiento que, para mí, no terminaron de conseguir. Puede que sea cosa mía, pero me faltó algo que me hiciera sentir la importancia que estos encuentros debían tener.
Por otra parte, hay una cosa que me produce mucho rechazo cada vez que leo sobre esto en una novela y es el tema del consumo de sustancias. No me suelen agradar las historias que dan demasiadas vueltas sobre el tema, hasta el punto de normalizar el consumo entre los jóvenes en según que contextos, pero todavía me provoca más rechazo cuando resulta que los personajes, estén en la situación que estén o tengan la edad que tengan, se pasan todas las páginas drogándose o bebiendo alcohol a niveles preocupantes. Inicialmente, Isaac se ve envuelto en esta espiral de sexo y desenfreno, contexto en el que empieza a consumir cuando se dan algunos de estos encuentros, un recurso interesante que podría hacer sentir al lector lo perdido que se encuentra el protagonista. Hasta ahí bien, pero Isaac no solo consume en estos ambientes y con todos los hombres que conoce, también lo hace con sus amigos “sanos” de la universidad, lo hace con su mejor amiga, incluso bebe con su madre, la cual se pasa toda la novela emborrachándose sin parar. Sé que esto es una apreciación tremendamente personal, pero es un recurso que me agota, y más cuando todos los personajes normalizan el consumo al nivel de que solo les falta usar otro tipo de azúcar para endulzar el café. Creo que se me entiende. Lo dicho, me agota.
En definitiva, aun con este momento hater contra la normalización del consumo, no quiero dar un mensaje equivocado, es una historia buena, que merece ser leída y que toca cuestiones muy importantes de las que hay que seguir hablando como el abuso de poder, el maltrato, la diferencia de edad en las relaciones, la autoestima o la salud mental, pero me hubiera gustado sentir que este consumo excesivo era otro tema que denunciar en la historia y no fue así. Ahora bien, sin lugar a dudas, es una obra que recomiendo.
December 8, 2024
Literally just finished this book so still gathering my thoughts but:
vivid
disgusting
tender
bold
daring
resolute
awful
real
This is not just a book, it's a piece of art.
vivid
disgusting
tender
bold
daring
resolute
awful
real
This is not just a book, it's a piece of art.
January 21, 2025
(3.5) Why is his mom so chill (derogatory)
April 23, 2025
Such a beautiful exploration of queerness and identity/self-discovery and how they are so bound up in one another, so moving, so stunning, prose you could eat!!!
January 12, 2026
I first heard about Curtis Garner last year while exploring emerging queer voices, and his debut novel Isaac immediately caught my attention. Published by Verve Books, this is a powerful and unsettling portrait of modern queer life and its many challenges.
Isaac is a coming-of-age story about a 17-year-old gay boy, an aspiring writer, growing up in London, navigating late adolescence while carrying the added weight of queer identity. Things grow increasingly difficult as Isaac finds himself immersed in a world saturated with online and real-life toxicity, caught in a web of men who want very different things from him. His first love, Harrison, a man in his late twenties whom he meets at a sex party, becomes a relationship that is as idealised as it is deeply disturbing. Isaac slowly loses his voice, doubts his worth, tries to prove a value he doesn’t believe in, and spirals through disordered eating, family tensions, and profound self-erasure. Even when I didn’t agree with Isaac’s choices, they felt painfully honest. They are the decisions of a boy trying to become a man, searching for himself without the tools to do so safely.
One of the most striking aspects of this novel is the way Garner writes relationships, especially Isaac’s bond with his mother, perhaps the only truly stable and unconditional relationship in his life. Tender, grounded, and beautifully drawn, it stands in contrast to the chaos surrounding him. The character arcs, particularly Isaac’s and his mother’s, are incredibly well conceived.
This novel reflects deeply on queer identity, masculinity in the digital age, sex, love, and validation. It’s been a long time since a debut affected me this much (the last time was with Shuggie Bain and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous). Curtis Garner’s prose is mature, precise, and emotionally devastating. It’s astonishing to remember this is his first published novel. He captures Isaac’s hunger to be seen, loved, and heard with heartbreaking clarity.
Some passages felt painfully relatable in their precision when describing the insecurity and confusion of a young queer boy. For many queer readers, this book will reopen deep feelings tied to self-discovery.
While the ending felt slightly rushed, this remains an exceptionally strong debut. Curtis Garner is without a doubt a voice to watch in contemporary literary and queer fiction! And with Orange coming out in February (which I’m lucky to have an ARC of), I’ll be diving straight in.
Isaac is a coming-of-age story about a 17-year-old gay boy, an aspiring writer, growing up in London, navigating late adolescence while carrying the added weight of queer identity. Things grow increasingly difficult as Isaac finds himself immersed in a world saturated with online and real-life toxicity, caught in a web of men who want very different things from him. His first love, Harrison, a man in his late twenties whom he meets at a sex party, becomes a relationship that is as idealised as it is deeply disturbing. Isaac slowly loses his voice, doubts his worth, tries to prove a value he doesn’t believe in, and spirals through disordered eating, family tensions, and profound self-erasure. Even when I didn’t agree with Isaac’s choices, they felt painfully honest. They are the decisions of a boy trying to become a man, searching for himself without the tools to do so safely.
One of the most striking aspects of this novel is the way Garner writes relationships, especially Isaac’s bond with his mother, perhaps the only truly stable and unconditional relationship in his life. Tender, grounded, and beautifully drawn, it stands in contrast to the chaos surrounding him. The character arcs, particularly Isaac’s and his mother’s, are incredibly well conceived.
This novel reflects deeply on queer identity, masculinity in the digital age, sex, love, and validation. It’s been a long time since a debut affected me this much (the last time was with Shuggie Bain and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous). Curtis Garner’s prose is mature, precise, and emotionally devastating. It’s astonishing to remember this is his first published novel. He captures Isaac’s hunger to be seen, loved, and heard with heartbreaking clarity.
Some passages felt painfully relatable in their precision when describing the insecurity and confusion of a young queer boy. For many queer readers, this book will reopen deep feelings tied to self-discovery.
While the ending felt slightly rushed, this remains an exceptionally strong debut. Curtis Garner is without a doubt a voice to watch in contemporary literary and queer fiction! And with Orange coming out in February (which I’m lucky to have an ARC of), I’ll be diving straight in.
March 3, 2025
Kitty very kindly gifted me this a few weeks ago. While I find Isaac's story kind of interesting, I didn't enjoy the style. It felt overwritten. All of the plot points also seemed to appear without warning or much reason.
November 8, 2025
3.5
I thought the prose was great, but I finished this book ten days ago and haven’t thought about it since. I wanted to love this more than I did, however, Isaac just felt like an amalgamation of random scenes instead of a cohesive narrative. I would still read another book from the author, though.
I thought the prose was great, but I finished this book ten days ago and haven’t thought about it since. I wanted to love this more than I did, however, Isaac just felt like an amalgamation of random scenes instead of a cohesive narrative. I would still read another book from the author, though.
March 30, 2025
Elliot told me my reviews are too serious so heres a SILLY ONE!
Gobbled this shit up in 6 days 🙌 What an epic debut, made me remember how young and naive I was when I was 18
Also can see this being a queer classic I show my kids one day to tell them what it was like dating in the age of iphones while theyre all using their iNanochip in their brain.
Gobbled this shit up in 6 days 🙌 What an epic debut, made me remember how young and naive I was when I was 18
Also can see this being a queer classic I show my kids one day to tell them what it was like dating in the age of iphones while theyre all using their iNanochip in their brain.
November 11, 2024
Isaac loses his virginity through a certain dating app which having been using for what feels like his entire seventeen-year-old life time already( not to be dramatic) still akin to nothing more than performative theatre that is on par with a mixture of penance, purgatory, and repetitive strain disorder - is still a disappointing yet addictive experience - he spends his final months before taking on the next daunting life hurdle that is university escaping into a dizzying and terrifying new world.
A world where casual sex with forgettable men take on a shade of the norm, ranging from someone he grows to think far too much of after a single evening in his company, to Isaac seeing his own frustration being taken out on another who is only living his own truth.
This all changes however after a chance encounter with Harrison, a twenty-eight-year-old that Isaac can’t seem to get out of his head, despite the setting where they first met…
Isaac is immediately and unquestionably besotted by the handsome, charismatic, aloof artist, yet as the pair grow ever closer, his sense of self becomes somewhat increasingly hazy and Isaac starts to lose interest in not only himself but those closest to him.
Harrison’s demands shift and alter constantly, and after Isaac tries to prove his worthiness in any way possible all with the hopes of Harrison’s approval, he must take a hard long look at his ideas surrounding love, sex, hope, men, and most importantly his relationship with himself. But it won’t be easy as mounting pressure demands he give more and more of his own energy and soul to a person who may not share the same ideals.
Heartbreaking, intimate, and raw, Isaac asks the important questions around masculinity, queerness, and the power of the digital age. Outstanding.
A world where casual sex with forgettable men take on a shade of the norm, ranging from someone he grows to think far too much of after a single evening in his company, to Isaac seeing his own frustration being taken out on another who is only living his own truth.
This all changes however after a chance encounter with Harrison, a twenty-eight-year-old that Isaac can’t seem to get out of his head, despite the setting where they first met…
Isaac is immediately and unquestionably besotted by the handsome, charismatic, aloof artist, yet as the pair grow ever closer, his sense of self becomes somewhat increasingly hazy and Isaac starts to lose interest in not only himself but those closest to him.
Harrison’s demands shift and alter constantly, and after Isaac tries to prove his worthiness in any way possible all with the hopes of Harrison’s approval, he must take a hard long look at his ideas surrounding love, sex, hope, men, and most importantly his relationship with himself. But it won’t be easy as mounting pressure demands he give more and more of his own energy and soul to a person who may not share the same ideals.
Heartbreaking, intimate, and raw, Isaac asks the important questions around masculinity, queerness, and the power of the digital age. Outstanding.
February 9, 2025
Garner has an incredibly distinctive voice, one which made the lump in my throat grow uncontrollably as the story unfolded. An impactful and compulsively readable book, so vivid and raw that I felt deeply protective of Isaac right the way through. You’ll race through this…
Thank you Verve Books for the advance copy!
Thank you Verve Books for the advance copy!
January 15, 2025
Curtis Garner is an exceptionally talented writer. He has captured such a specific type of person and such specific feelings and life experiences that it is hard not to relate to Isaac in some way. What an impressive story, characters and writing. I cannot wait to read more from him.
February 14, 2026
This novel doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable themes, especially abusive relationships and the kind of deep, internalised shame that’s hard to talk about but very real. The emotional honesty stood out to me, and I liked that it didn’t try to tidy things up. It felt messy in a very human way.
That said, it didn’t completely land for me. Isaac is explored in a lot of depth, but I found myself wanting much more from the other characters. The mother and the boyfriend in particular felt like they could have been developed further, especially considering how important they are to the emotional core of the story. I kept wanting to understand them more.
Overall, I admire what the book is trying to do and respect how honestly it tackles difficult subject matter, I just finished it wishing the emotional depth had been shared a bit more across the principal characters.
That said, it didn’t completely land for me. Isaac is explored in a lot of depth, but I found myself wanting much more from the other characters. The mother and the boyfriend in particular felt like they could have been developed further, especially considering how important they are to the emotional core of the story. I kept wanting to understand them more.
Overall, I admire what the book is trying to do and respect how honestly it tackles difficult subject matter, I just finished it wishing the emotional depth had been shared a bit more across the principal characters.
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