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X
Angel is more a painter than he is a man, more divine than he is human. He sends messages in bottles. He forgets that he's now rich, after living on the street before art dealer X found him and took him in two years ago. Angel thinks he has secrets, even though he blurts out every thought he has the moment he has it. He collects bottles to capture light. Some people think he's crazy, some think he's slow, but anyone who's seen his art knows he's brilliant.
X thought theirs was to be a love for the ages. X thought he knew everything about Angel, but it turns out Angel does have secrets—agonizing, destructive secrets.
He leaves Angel, or thinks he does, but it's Angel who disappears. Soon X realizes Angel is in terrible danger, as the only thing Angel appears to know about how to live is how to paint—though oddly, Angel's mad mutterings before he left indicate he thinks it's X who's in danger, X who needs finding. In New York City, between rivers and skyscrapers and the ocean and millions of souls, how will they ever find each other?
X thought theirs was to be a love for the ages. X thought he knew everything about Angel, but it turns out Angel does have secrets—agonizing, destructive secrets.
He leaves Angel, or thinks he does, but it's Angel who disappears. Soon X realizes Angel is in terrible danger, as the only thing Angel appears to know about how to live is how to paint—though oddly, Angel's mad mutterings before he left indicate he thinks it's X who's in danger, X who needs finding. In New York City, between rivers and skyscrapers and the ocean and millions of souls, how will they ever find each other?
235 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 2, 2025
X is such an original, deep story about two characters, X and Angel. X is a wealthy art dealer and Angel is his primary artist. The dual perspective works so well to get into both of their heads. It's a complex and unusual book, deeply focused on these two characters and their relationship rather than on a wider plot, and because of this specific focus, I couldn't help but read this in one go to see if they managed to make their relationship work.
Angel is neurodivergent, but in what way is never specifically stated. His POV chapters were a great insight into his mind, particularly why he does what he does and how that reasoning differs (a lot!) to the reasons that X thinks are behind Angel's behaviour. In contrast, X is neurotypical and the journey he goes through to understand Angel's actions, to compromise and to accept everything about Angel is fascinating.
All in all, X is a really unexpected story that drew me in and had me fascinated by its main characters.
Angel is neurodivergent, but in what way is never specifically stated. His POV chapters were a great insight into his mind, particularly why he does what he does and how that reasoning differs (a lot!) to the reasons that X thinks are behind Angel's behaviour. In contrast, X is neurotypical and the journey he goes through to understand Angel's actions, to compromise and to accept everything about Angel is fascinating.
All in all, X is a really unexpected story that drew me in and had me fascinated by its main characters.
June 28, 2022
Hauntingly beautiful
I want to start by telling how I came to find this book. A member of a Facebook group that I belong to was trying to fill up an alphabetical list of books to read - you know, where each book starts with a letter of the alphabet. They just needed "X" and I thought I would do a search on Amazon to see what I could find. After two or three pages of nothing relevant, this book came up. I was intrigued by the blurb and read the sample, and knew that, even if they didn't choose this book for their list, I was going to read it. What I found was a hauntingly beautiful love story that completely entranced me.
Angel is a young artist who seems to live in a world that is one part reality and one part fantasy. As is often the case with people who border on genius, Angel sees the world around him in a way that few understand. He lacks social skills and has no real comprehension of how to survive in the modern world. X is his art dealer and romantic partner - although he too struggles to understand the world that Angel lives in. When their relationship encounters a major obstacle, X leaves Angel - an act that sets both men on a journey to find each other again.
This book is one of those hidden treasures that you stumble upon by accident and then can't imagine how you lived without it. Angel is clearly on the autism spectrum and the prose reflects this being wildly chaotic at times - full of symbolism and layered imagery. You feel the frustration and anguish of both X and Angel as they struggle to understand what each is trying to say but isn't saying, each one feeling like they are on the outside looking in at a world that they don't really get. My heart broke for them as their utter love for one another is so apparent and their separation nearly breaks them. Rest assured, there is a HEA.
Honestly, I could go on and on, waxing poetically about all the hidden gems within this book, but I don't want to spoil anything. This is the type of work that you need to experience for yourself - allowing it to settle in your bones and affix itself in your heart. I highly recommend giving it a try and I'm confident that you won't be disappointed. This truly is hauntingly beautiful!
I want to start by telling how I came to find this book. A member of a Facebook group that I belong to was trying to fill up an alphabetical list of books to read - you know, where each book starts with a letter of the alphabet. They just needed "X" and I thought I would do a search on Amazon to see what I could find. After two or three pages of nothing relevant, this book came up. I was intrigued by the blurb and read the sample, and knew that, even if they didn't choose this book for their list, I was going to read it. What I found was a hauntingly beautiful love story that completely entranced me.
Angel is a young artist who seems to live in a world that is one part reality and one part fantasy. As is often the case with people who border on genius, Angel sees the world around him in a way that few understand. He lacks social skills and has no real comprehension of how to survive in the modern world. X is his art dealer and romantic partner - although he too struggles to understand the world that Angel lives in. When their relationship encounters a major obstacle, X leaves Angel - an act that sets both men on a journey to find each other again.
This book is one of those hidden treasures that you stumble upon by accident and then can't imagine how you lived without it. Angel is clearly on the autism spectrum and the prose reflects this being wildly chaotic at times - full of symbolism and layered imagery. You feel the frustration and anguish of both X and Angel as they struggle to understand what each is trying to say but isn't saying, each one feeling like they are on the outside looking in at a world that they don't really get. My heart broke for them as their utter love for one another is so apparent and their separation nearly breaks them. Rest assured, there is a HEA.
Honestly, I could go on and on, waxing poetically about all the hidden gems within this book, but I don't want to spoil anything. This is the type of work that you need to experience for yourself - allowing it to settle in your bones and affix itself in your heart. I highly recommend giving it a try and I'm confident that you won't be disappointed. This truly is hauntingly beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews