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Small Joys
An unexpected friendship saves a young man's life in this moving, utterly charming debut about chosen family, the winding road to happiness, and the grace of second chances.
Could I one day inspire happiness in others, the same way he seemed to do in me?
It's 2005 and Harley has dropped out of college to move home, back to rural England, where he works a dead-end job at a movie theater. Estranged from his father and finding every attempt at happiness futile, Harley is on the verge of making a devastating final decision. Fortunately for him, things don't go according to plan, and his attempt on his own life is interrupted by his new roommate, Muddy.
Muddy is everything Harley is not: ostensibly heterosexual, freewheeling, confident in his masculinity. Despite their differences, a deep friendship blossoms between them when Muddy takes Harley under his wing and shows him everything that, in his eyes, makes life worth living: bird-watching, karaoke, rugby, and the band Oasis.
But this newfound friendship is complicated. It has enormous repercussions for the pair's romantically entangled friend group--for Chelsea, an overbearing striver whose generosity they begrudgingly rely on; for Finlay, her raffish and uncouth boyfriend; and for Noria, who despite her simmering confidence is smarting from a series of unreturned affections. And then there's the violent affair with an older man that Harley finds himself slipping back into . . .
As secrets and jealousies endanger all that Harley has come to depend on, he finds himself faltering once again, even though he finally has something--and someone--to live for. Soul-stirring and witty, full of hope and peopled with characters who feel like close friends, Small Joys explores a young man's turbulent journey toward happiness and announces the arrival of an exciting voice in fiction.
Could I one day inspire happiness in others, the same way he seemed to do in me?
It's 2005 and Harley has dropped out of college to move home, back to rural England, where he works a dead-end job at a movie theater. Estranged from his father and finding every attempt at happiness futile, Harley is on the verge of making a devastating final decision. Fortunately for him, things don't go according to plan, and his attempt on his own life is interrupted by his new roommate, Muddy.
Muddy is everything Harley is not: ostensibly heterosexual, freewheeling, confident in his masculinity. Despite their differences, a deep friendship blossoms between them when Muddy takes Harley under his wing and shows him everything that, in his eyes, makes life worth living: bird-watching, karaoke, rugby, and the band Oasis.
But this newfound friendship is complicated. It has enormous repercussions for the pair's romantically entangled friend group--for Chelsea, an overbearing striver whose generosity they begrudgingly rely on; for Finlay, her raffish and uncouth boyfriend; and for Noria, who despite her simmering confidence is smarting from a series of unreturned affections. And then there's the violent affair with an older man that Harley finds himself slipping back into . . .
As secrets and jealousies endanger all that Harley has come to depend on, he finds himself faltering once again, even though he finally has something--and someone--to live for. Soul-stirring and witty, full of hope and peopled with characters who feel like close friends, Small Joys explores a young man's turbulent journey toward happiness and announces the arrival of an exciting voice in fiction.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2023
161 people are currently reading
23051 people want to read
About the author
Elvin James Mensah
3 books68 followersElvin James Mensah is a 27 year old British-Ghanaian writer born and raised in South East London.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Bournemouth University, where he began writing his first novel. When not writing about blackness and queerness, he can be found voraciously explaining either the interconnectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to his long-suffering friends, or the everlasting cultural impact of the Spice Girls. His other hobbies include drinking copious amounts of Capri Sun and re-reading Donna Tartt and Hanya Yanigihara novels.
His debut novel, Small Joys, was pre-empted by Chris White at Scribner, and was published in April 2023.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Bournemouth University, where he began writing his first novel. When not writing about blackness and queerness, he can be found voraciously explaining either the interconnectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to his long-suffering friends, or the everlasting cultural impact of the Spice Girls. His other hobbies include drinking copious amounts of Capri Sun and re-reading Donna Tartt and Hanya Yanigihara novels.
His debut novel, Small Joys, was pre-empted by Chris White at Scribner, and was published in April 2023.
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April 4, 2025What an absolutely lovely book. I adored this.
It's the story of Harley, a young gay black Brit in Kent struggling with anxiety and depression and a homophobic father and an awful hookup situation, and a summer that changes things after he drops out of university, with friendships and a burgeoning super slow burn romance with Muddy, a Mancunian lad (deeply kind hearted, very open and generous). It's more bildungsroman than romance but no romance reader will be disappointed; it's also the best depiction of a certain kind of masculinity I've ever read.
This is in Finlay, Muddy's friend, a loud rugby-playing heavy-drinking Archbishop of Banterbury constantly saying stupid offensive things. Finlay is a twat; everyone agrees he's a twat. We've all met him. He's a twat. He's also the kind of person who'll cross London for someone he barely knows, who'll tell you how much he loves you when he's had enough to drink and mean it, who'll be devastated if you actually lose it on his annoying arse because he truly thought you were friends. Who is, in fact, crippled by the stupid demands of performative masculinity and can't get out. There's a note perfect scene where he tells Harley how he intends to propose, and Harley literally has to say, "you're planning to spend the entire day deliberately annoying the shit out of her as a build up to asking her to spend her life with you, can you just think about that?" And, you know, *then* Finlay sees it. But 'bantz' is so poisonously ingrained in him as the way you approach emotion, or relationships.
I've met lots of men like this, haven't we all, and the relentless facade-maintenance and constant 'wahey, homophobic remark, sexist remark, I've got a big cock, beers!' stuff is so fucking tiresome that (as I once specifically said of a friend's best mate) I don't care if he's a great guy underneath, because what I see pisses me off. Thus this is a spectacular portrayal, because Finlay is written clearsightedly but with so much love that he actually becomes a kind of magnificently tragic figure. Albeit that his fatal flaw is being a twat.
It's not Finlay's book though. It's got a lot to say about dealing with depression and anxiety, cultural restrictions (both Ghanaian and working class British), the relentless wearing of casual racism and queerphobia on self esteem. It's very much a book about communication, about the need to give of yourself to people who love you--not sacrificially, but trusting them with your truth. Muddy's openness helps Harley save himself. Harley's horrible situationship and his father stand as people who can't confront their own truths and are grossly warped by it. Finlay...yes well.
Not perfect, I found the two women in the friend group perhaps not as strong characters, but overall this is spectacular character work, and a really great portrayal of kinds of friendship, kinds of people, kinds of love.
Actually uplifting. Highly recommended.
It's the story of Harley, a young gay black Brit in Kent struggling with anxiety and depression and a homophobic father and an awful hookup situation, and a summer that changes things after he drops out of university, with friendships and a burgeoning super slow burn romance with Muddy, a Mancunian lad (deeply kind hearted, very open and generous). It's more bildungsroman than romance but no romance reader will be disappointed; it's also the best depiction of a certain kind of masculinity I've ever read.
This is in Finlay, Muddy's friend, a loud rugby-playing heavy-drinking Archbishop of Banterbury constantly saying stupid offensive things. Finlay is a twat; everyone agrees he's a twat. We've all met him. He's a twat. He's also the kind of person who'll cross London for someone he barely knows, who'll tell you how much he loves you when he's had enough to drink and mean it, who'll be devastated if you actually lose it on his annoying arse because he truly thought you were friends. Who is, in fact, crippled by the stupid demands of performative masculinity and can't get out. There's a note perfect scene where he tells Harley how he intends to propose, and Harley literally has to say, "you're planning to spend the entire day deliberately annoying the shit out of her as a build up to asking her to spend her life with you, can you just think about that?" And, you know, *then* Finlay sees it. But 'bantz' is so poisonously ingrained in him as the way you approach emotion, or relationships.
I've met lots of men like this, haven't we all, and the relentless facade-maintenance and constant 'wahey, homophobic remark, sexist remark, I've got a big cock, beers!' stuff is so fucking tiresome that (as I once specifically said of a friend's best mate) I don't care if he's a great guy underneath, because what I see pisses me off. Thus this is a spectacular portrayal, because Finlay is written clearsightedly but with so much love that he actually becomes a kind of magnificently tragic figure. Albeit that his fatal flaw is being a twat.
It's not Finlay's book though. It's got a lot to say about dealing with depression and anxiety, cultural restrictions (both Ghanaian and working class British), the relentless wearing of casual racism and queerphobia on self esteem. It's very much a book about communication, about the need to give of yourself to people who love you--not sacrificially, but trusting them with your truth. Muddy's openness helps Harley save himself. Harley's horrible situationship and his father stand as people who can't confront their own truths and are grossly warped by it. Finlay...yes well.
Not perfect, I found the two women in the friend group perhaps not as strong characters, but overall this is spectacular character work, and a really great portrayal of kinds of friendship, kinds of people, kinds of love.
Actually uplifting. Highly recommended.
March 15, 2023
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For a book that started out so heavy and dark it was quite beautiful in its own way. This is a book about friendship, family and not fitting into your parent's expectations. I loved Harley's friends, he is one very fortunate young man to have them. I especially liked his new friendship with Muddy, everyone should have a friend like that in their corner. The book was uplifting in the way that I was cheering Harley on throughout. There are many serious topics covered like suicide, homophobia, racism and mental health issues but the author did it in an informative and sensitive manner and did not use them in a gratuitous way.
Muddy was another character I loved, the way he spoke about birds and his granddad (especially his dementia) really tugged at my heartstrings as my eighty-year-old mother loves watching the birds at her feeders in her yard. This is the type of book you think about long after you finish reading it. What a beautiful debut. Small Joys was a big joy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
For a book that started out so heavy and dark it was quite beautiful in its own way. This is a book about friendship, family and not fitting into your parent's expectations. I loved Harley's friends, he is one very fortunate young man to have them. I especially liked his new friendship with Muddy, everyone should have a friend like that in their corner. The book was uplifting in the way that I was cheering Harley on throughout. There are many serious topics covered like suicide, homophobia, racism and mental health issues but the author did it in an informative and sensitive manner and did not use them in a gratuitous way.
Muddy was another character I loved, the way he spoke about birds and his granddad (especially his dementia) really tugged at my heartstrings as my eighty-year-old mother loves watching the birds at her feeders in her yard. This is the type of book you think about long after you finish reading it. What a beautiful debut. Small Joys was a big joy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
April 16, 2023
4.5 rounded to 5 stars
Small Joys is a quiet, contemplative, and ultimately joyful story of Harley’s journey with mental health issues. Harley is a young 20-year-old gay black man who has just dropped out of university, plagued with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. He feels utterly alone, unloved, and worthless. Through taking a room in a rental house, Harley develops friendships with five very diverse individuals, including Muddy who takes a keen interest in looking out for Harley.
This book does not center around a gay romance as one might think because the protagonist is gay. It is a book about mental health and the difficulties involved in combating anxiety and depression. It addresses the powerful roles of friendship, therapy, and small joys in overcoming unhappiness, constant apprehension, and general misery. There is not a lot of action here; that was okay with me. I enjoyed the dialogue and introspection filling this novel. I felt I really got to know the characters, especially Harley and Muddy. There were many touching moments.
I strongly considered rounding my 4.5 rating down instead of up because I sorely missed having an epilogue. I really wanted to see how Harley was doing a couple of years down the road. Having said that, I can probably guess what happens, but I wanted to see it play out. Ultimately, I rounded up instead as this book deserves more than 4 stars.
Overall, I was very impressed with this debut novel, and I will be on the alert for a second novel by Mr. Mensah. If this review piques your interest, I would highly recommend it for you.
I want to thank Corina Diez from Ballantine books, Net Galley, and Elvin James Mensah for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Small Joys is a quiet, contemplative, and ultimately joyful story of Harley’s journey with mental health issues. Harley is a young 20-year-old gay black man who has just dropped out of university, plagued with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. He feels utterly alone, unloved, and worthless. Through taking a room in a rental house, Harley develops friendships with five very diverse individuals, including Muddy who takes a keen interest in looking out for Harley.
This book does not center around a gay romance as one might think because the protagonist is gay. It is a book about mental health and the difficulties involved in combating anxiety and depression. It addresses the powerful roles of friendship, therapy, and small joys in overcoming unhappiness, constant apprehension, and general misery. There is not a lot of action here; that was okay with me. I enjoyed the dialogue and introspection filling this novel. I felt I really got to know the characters, especially Harley and Muddy. There were many touching moments.
I strongly considered rounding my 4.5 rating down instead of up because I sorely missed having an epilogue. I really wanted to see how Harley was doing a couple of years down the road. Having said that, I can probably guess what happens, but I wanted to see it play out. Ultimately, I rounded up instead as this book deserves more than 4 stars.
Overall, I was very impressed with this debut novel, and I will be on the alert for a second novel by Mr. Mensah. If this review piques your interest, I would highly recommend it for you.
I want to thank Corina Diez from Ballantine books, Net Galley, and Elvin James Mensah for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
February 11, 2023
Quiet novels can have a huge impact, and Small Joys, about a Black gay college dropout, is such a book. Even though it’s pretty sad and raw at times, it’s a beautiful story full of warmth about found family, friendship, and a journey toward happiness.
The beginning of this novel, set in 2005, is rather harsh. Twenty-one-year-old Harley is thinking of killing himself when he gets disturbed by Muddy, his new roommate, a heterosexual, masculine birder and an OASIS fan. They quickly become friends, and slowly Muddy shows Harley that life’s worth living.
Be aware that this is not a romance. Small Joys is a story of anxiety and depression, followed by healing and growth, and above all it’s a story about a beautiful friendship. The characters in this story are fully fleshed out, and I loved the interactions between the friend group, especially those between Harley and Muddy. Muddy was such a great guy and so sweet and kindhearted with his own stuff to deal with. My heart ached and was full of love simultaneously, and sometimes tears sprang into my eyes.
Corina Diez from Random House Publishing Group offered me an eARC of this book, and I’m so happy that she did because I’m not sure if I would have requested this book on NetGalley. I loved Elvin James Mensah’s descriptive and lyrical writing, and the story felt really personal to me. I am eagerly looking out for Elvin’s next novel!
I know I’m not supposed to quote from an ARC but the next sentence touched my whole being:
Friendship didn’t insulate you from affliction, but it did make the path to some sort of recovery feel worthwhile and almost pleasant, it allowed you to experience the most wonderful things, even in the dark.
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The beginning of this novel, set in 2005, is rather harsh. Twenty-one-year-old Harley is thinking of killing himself when he gets disturbed by Muddy, his new roommate, a heterosexual, masculine birder and an OASIS fan. They quickly become friends, and slowly Muddy shows Harley that life’s worth living.
Be aware that this is not a romance. Small Joys is a story of anxiety and depression, followed by healing and growth, and above all it’s a story about a beautiful friendship. The characters in this story are fully fleshed out, and I loved the interactions between the friend group, especially those between Harley and Muddy. Muddy was such a great guy and so sweet and kindhearted with his own stuff to deal with. My heart ached and was full of love simultaneously, and sometimes tears sprang into my eyes.
Corina Diez from Random House Publishing Group offered me an eARC of this book, and I’m so happy that she did because I’m not sure if I would have requested this book on NetGalley. I loved Elvin James Mensah’s descriptive and lyrical writing, and the story felt really personal to me. I am eagerly looking out for Elvin’s next novel!
I know I’m not supposed to quote from an ARC but the next sentence touched my whole being:
Friendship didn’t insulate you from affliction, but it did make the path to some sort of recovery feel worthwhile and almost pleasant, it allowed you to experience the most wonderful things, even in the dark.
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March 5, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Contemporary + LGBTQ
Small Joys is the debut novel of Elvin James Mensah which tells the story of an unusual friendship that ends up saving a young man's life. Harley, a homosexual black Ghanaian man who struggles with anxiety and depression, meets Muddy, a lively and extroverted flatmate who helps him discover happiness and a sense of belonging.
This is a slice-of-life story that is narrated from Harley’s point of view and involves the lives of five friends, Muddy, Chelsea, Noria, Harley, and Finlay. In the story, we get to see how these characters behave and interact with each other. Reading this book makes you feel like you are hanging out with a few friends. The more time you spend with these characters the more they will grow on you. I think the author has done a tremendous job developing these characters. They are all well-crafted and very realistic.
Muddy is my favorite of all the characters. Because this individual is both kind and charming, I believe that a lot of readers will find themselves falling in love with him. He injects an incredible amount of vibrancy and coziness into the narrative. In addition to this, he ends up becoming the main character's pillar of support for all the right reasons. If you take pleasure in reading books that center on relationships and friendships that are characterized by positivity and support for one another, then you are going to take a lot of pleasure out of this one, just like I did.
Another advantage that should be pointed out here is that the author incorporates a diverse cast of characters into this tale, both in terms of color and gender as well as sexual orientation. While focusing on character growth is the primary objective of this work, it is important to note that the storyline does not include any kind of unexpected twists or anything like that. The narrative touches on some heavy topics, such as suicide attempts, mental illness, and depression; however, these are balanced out by the powerful bonds of friendship, love, and support that the characters share. The resolution will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. In my opinion, the book is deserving of the title it was given. It is full of small joys that will bring a smile to your face and a glow to your heart.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC of this book.
Genre: Contemporary + LGBTQ
Small Joys is the debut novel of Elvin James Mensah which tells the story of an unusual friendship that ends up saving a young man's life. Harley, a homosexual black Ghanaian man who struggles with anxiety and depression, meets Muddy, a lively and extroverted flatmate who helps him discover happiness and a sense of belonging.
This is a slice-of-life story that is narrated from Harley’s point of view and involves the lives of five friends, Muddy, Chelsea, Noria, Harley, and Finlay. In the story, we get to see how these characters behave and interact with each other. Reading this book makes you feel like you are hanging out with a few friends. The more time you spend with these characters the more they will grow on you. I think the author has done a tremendous job developing these characters. They are all well-crafted and very realistic.
Muddy is my favorite of all the characters. Because this individual is both kind and charming, I believe that a lot of readers will find themselves falling in love with him. He injects an incredible amount of vibrancy and coziness into the narrative. In addition to this, he ends up becoming the main character's pillar of support for all the right reasons. If you take pleasure in reading books that center on relationships and friendships that are characterized by positivity and support for one another, then you are going to take a lot of pleasure out of this one, just like I did.
Another advantage that should be pointed out here is that the author incorporates a diverse cast of characters into this tale, both in terms of color and gender as well as sexual orientation. While focusing on character growth is the primary objective of this work, it is important to note that the storyline does not include any kind of unexpected twists or anything like that. The narrative touches on some heavy topics, such as suicide attempts, mental illness, and depression; however, these are balanced out by the powerful bonds of friendship, love, and support that the characters share. The resolution will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. In my opinion, the book is deserving of the title it was given. It is full of small joys that will bring a smile to your face and a glow to your heart.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC of this book.
January 26, 2023
This book is unlike any book I’ve ever read—it’s an in-your-face journey of a Black gay man and his struggle for acceptance, but also involves a lot of bird watching?! The story takes place in the UK and focuses on our main character, Harley and his attempted suicide that was thwarted by his friend’s boyfriend. Harley is unsure what to make of his newfound friendship with Muddy because they’re very different. Muddy is straight, confident, and carefree. Muddy and Harley form a unique bond that I can tell you, every gay man wishes they could have with heterosexual men if they don’t have one already. However, this friendship isn’t without hurdles for the reader to uncover.
This book is not a romance. It’s a deep dive into mental health, self acceptance, and friendship. This book talks about serious topics, but is done so in a very healthy and formative way. At times, this book is lighthearted and will put a smile on your face; but it can also have its moments of serious conflict that will leave you breathless. SMALL JOYS is a book I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
This book is not a romance. It’s a deep dive into mental health, self acceptance, and friendship. This book talks about serious topics, but is done so in a very healthy and formative way. At times, this book is lighthearted and will put a smile on your face; but it can also have its moments of serious conflict that will leave you breathless. SMALL JOYS is a book I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
June 12, 2023
Pride Month 2023 Book #7: 5 stars. (Originally 4!)
A very lovely book, a great debut effort; this one moved me quite a lot, mates. Loved Harley, and I loved his hard-earned progress through his deep and severe mental-health issues. And of course, I LOVED his new best pal Muddy and their friendship. I loved AND hated the homoerotic frisson of that relationship; you could have a proper drinking game and get drunk fairly quickly from how many times big, brawny, and straight (or IS he straight?) Muddy touches Harley's arm, back, face, etc., and from all the homoerotic banter that ensues between them and with even more "straight" and muscular Finlay. Honestly, it was hot AND frustrating AND sometimes seemed just plain weird to have all that in there, but it also strangely added to the sweetness and poignancy of the story. You'll have to "trust" me on that one, friends. And speaking of friendship, what an ode to friendship this book is, and what a testament to healing and finding one's worth, both through friends and the families we create through them, and by befriending ourselves, loving ourselves.
One quick semi-peeve. This 2023 novel is set in the mid-2000s, and it never really becomes apparent why that is so. At least, it didn't to me. I don't know the author's age, so I don't know if he was in his 20s at that time, like the five main characters - there are also two women that are at the heart of this story, Chelsea and Noria. I mean, loved all the references to music artists of that time, but I just don't get the point of setting this story twenty years ago, as besides those and a few other pop cultural references throughout the book, it could have just as easily been a story set today. And that annoys me some, I admit.
Well, anyway, a beautiful book. I laughed, I cried, I grew with the characters. Awesome first novel, and I look forward to more from Elvin James Mensah.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review of the book.
A very lovely book, a great debut effort; this one moved me quite a lot, mates. Loved Harley, and I loved his hard-earned progress through his deep and severe mental-health issues. And of course, I LOVED his new best pal Muddy and their friendship. I loved AND hated the homoerotic frisson of that relationship; you could have a proper drinking game and get drunk fairly quickly from how many times big, brawny, and straight (or IS he straight?) Muddy touches Harley's arm, back, face, etc., and from all the homoerotic banter that ensues between them and with even more "straight" and muscular Finlay. Honestly, it was hot AND frustrating AND sometimes seemed just plain weird to have all that in there, but it also strangely added to the sweetness and poignancy of the story. You'll have to "trust" me on that one, friends. And speaking of friendship, what an ode to friendship this book is, and what a testament to healing and finding one's worth, both through friends and the families we create through them, and by befriending ourselves, loving ourselves.
One quick semi-peeve. This 2023 novel is set in the mid-2000s, and it never really becomes apparent why that is so. At least, it didn't to me. I don't know the author's age, so I don't know if he was in his 20s at that time, like the five main characters - there are also two women that are at the heart of this story, Chelsea and Noria. I mean, loved all the references to music artists of that time, but I just don't get the point of setting this story twenty years ago, as besides those and a few other pop cultural references throughout the book, it could have just as easily been a story set today. And that annoys me some, I admit.
Well, anyway, a beautiful book. I laughed, I cried, I grew with the characters. Awesome first novel, and I look forward to more from Elvin James Mensah.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review of the book.
April 3, 2023
This is an odd but interesting book that holds no punches. The narrator, Harley, has dropped out of college and moved back to his small home town and is giving up hope of finding joy. He’s estranged from his religious father who can’t accept his gay son and just doesn’t see what the point of his existence in the world is. He has a good group of friends and a new housemate Muddy catches him off guard. This story is about a lot of things and most of the topics are heavy. It’s not really a happily ever after story, but I also didn’t cry. The characters were interesting even when they were being a bit odd. I had a hard time getting into this book, but once I pushed into it, the story was beautiful in a very sad kind of way. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for the brutal, tragic, honesty.
April 21, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
It is a good example of how rewarding friendships can be that remind you of the Small Joys in life, not the grand gestures to forge a truly meaningful and special connection, when you seem to have forgotten what it means to truly live with happiness and love. 🫂 For all that twenty-one-year-old Harley was lacking in self-worth, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and how he chose the path of self-destruction and self-loathing, his quartet of friends, especially his flat-mate, twenty-three-year-old Muddy, were the shining light in his dismal and dreary state. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
And I do mean dismal and dreary. I feel awful that I'm being so unsympathetic, but even as Harley was drowning in despair, it did not stir anything in me aside from being exhausted and drained by the repetitiveness of his thoughts. Again, it feels awful thinking like that, as Harley really was struggling with some very dark morbid thoughts of rejection fear, but it just overwhelmed the narrative at times. 😶🌫️ Perhaps that was the intention to show how bleak and miserable he treated himself, that the beacon of light and care that his friends offered was the only way out of the dark tunnel he'd found refuge in. I am glad he found his safe place, I am; he carried the weight of his own insignificance in such a palpable manner that I suppose that is the double-edged sword to its portrayal...
“Well, pal,” he said, inhaling deeply. “I gotta look after you. I’m your person, aren’t I?”
I can't say I really warmed up to any of the friends. Muddy with his golden heart was likeable enough, and the lengths he went to for Harley were admirable. I had to remind myself that it was portraying the early 2000s, so it would make sense why there was such a questionable reaction to certain of his actions. Finlay was the supposed villain of the group, but I felt bad for him at how abruptly the author concluded his own story-line. 😒 I liked how they essentially did take Harley under their wing as his 'dads', and in a way, I felt like his relationship with Harley was the most honest. Chelsea and Noria rounded up the quartet nicely as his amenable and trusting companions, who in their own special way, made him feel special and that he had somewhere to belong. 🥺
But, after a while, each interaction felt like it was being checked off that it had to be included for Harley to experience 'some kind of reassurance that I was worthy of love, of life, of being wanted, of being respected' in order to be at a peace with himself and in a healthier part of his life. 😕 I do applaud Muddy's efforts to bring Harley out of his dark shell, I do know that there are those who feel like they're all alone and have to suffer the loneliness apart from others - the haunting rejection from their parents and the melancholic and abject state of loneliness, but I just couldn't vibe even with the cheerier moments, or the comfort and support they gave in different ways. The moments started to feel forced, rather than natural....
“Friendship didn’t insulate you from affliction, but it did make the path to some sort of recovery feel worthwhile and almost pleasant, it allowed you to experience the most wonderful things, even in the dark.”
I did not mind that it was not a romance, rather a celebration of friendship that saves us in our most troubling moments. My inability to connect with the characters or even have Harley's story resonate with me would sadly have to be due to the writing for this debut. True, I did learn an interesting euphemism - kissing one's teeth, but the writing felt a bit wooden to the point that it felt almost essay-like in its formal speech, with phrases like 'conversely, I deduced.... 🤨 It has such a detached impersonal feel to it. Also due to the fact that the author was attempting to show the stages in which Harley's friends essentially brought him out of his funk by being there for him, certain points had to be told rather than shown, which created an uneven and distanced tone to the narrative; which was already a nonlinear one, which was also a major gripe of mine. 😮💨 I felt like I was being dictated to the story, rather than being allowed to feel the emotional pull of it, thus leading to my unfortunate disappointment overall.
“Life could still feel wonderful, I thought, even if it really wasn’t.”
It is a good example of how rewarding friendships can be that remind you of the Small Joys in life, not the grand gestures to forge a truly meaningful and special connection, when you seem to have forgotten what it means to truly live with happiness and love. 🫂 For all that twenty-one-year-old Harley was lacking in self-worth, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and how he chose the path of self-destruction and self-loathing, his quartet of friends, especially his flat-mate, twenty-three-year-old Muddy, were the shining light in his dismal and dreary state. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
And I do mean dismal and dreary. I feel awful that I'm being so unsympathetic, but even as Harley was drowning in despair, it did not stir anything in me aside from being exhausted and drained by the repetitiveness of his thoughts. Again, it feels awful thinking like that, as Harley really was struggling with some very dark morbid thoughts of rejection fear, but it just overwhelmed the narrative at times. 😶🌫️ Perhaps that was the intention to show how bleak and miserable he treated himself, that the beacon of light and care that his friends offered was the only way out of the dark tunnel he'd found refuge in. I am glad he found his safe place, I am; he carried the weight of his own insignificance in such a palpable manner that I suppose that is the double-edged sword to its portrayal...
“Well, pal,” he said, inhaling deeply. “I gotta look after you. I’m your person, aren’t I?”
I can't say I really warmed up to any of the friends. Muddy with his golden heart was likeable enough, and the lengths he went to for Harley were admirable. I had to remind myself that it was portraying the early 2000s, so it would make sense why there was such a questionable reaction to certain of his actions. Finlay was the supposed villain of the group, but I felt bad for him at how abruptly the author concluded his own story-line. 😒 I liked how they essentially did take Harley under their wing as his 'dads', and in a way, I felt like his relationship with Harley was the most honest. Chelsea and Noria rounded up the quartet nicely as his amenable and trusting companions, who in their own special way, made him feel special and that he had somewhere to belong. 🥺
But, after a while, each interaction felt like it was being checked off that it had to be included for Harley to experience 'some kind of reassurance that I was worthy of love, of life, of being wanted, of being respected' in order to be at a peace with himself and in a healthier part of his life. 😕 I do applaud Muddy's efforts to bring Harley out of his dark shell, I do know that there are those who feel like they're all alone and have to suffer the loneliness apart from others - the haunting rejection from their parents and the melancholic and abject state of loneliness, but I just couldn't vibe even with the cheerier moments, or the comfort and support they gave in different ways. The moments started to feel forced, rather than natural....
“Friendship didn’t insulate you from affliction, but it did make the path to some sort of recovery feel worthwhile and almost pleasant, it allowed you to experience the most wonderful things, even in the dark.”
I did not mind that it was not a romance, rather a celebration of friendship that saves us in our most troubling moments. My inability to connect with the characters or even have Harley's story resonate with me would sadly have to be due to the writing for this debut. True, I did learn an interesting euphemism - kissing one's teeth, but the writing felt a bit wooden to the point that it felt almost essay-like in its formal speech, with phrases like 'conversely, I deduced.... 🤨 It has such a detached impersonal feel to it. Also due to the fact that the author was attempting to show the stages in which Harley's friends essentially brought him out of his funk by being there for him, certain points had to be told rather than shown, which created an uneven and distanced tone to the narrative; which was already a nonlinear one, which was also a major gripe of mine. 😮💨 I felt like I was being dictated to the story, rather than being allowed to feel the emotional pull of it, thus leading to my unfortunate disappointment overall.
October 10, 2022
A really lovely book. The protagonist and narrator, Harley, is a young Black British man whose African immigrant father subscribes to one of the more toxic forms of Christianity and threw him out; overcome by depression and anxiety, Harley has just dropped out of university and returned to live in the same flat he used to share with his friend Chelsea. But Harley's room has been let to a man named Muddy: joyful, kind, generous-hearted, a birder. Muddy happens to have interrupted Harley's contemplation of suicide, and he takes it on himself to befriend Harley and care for him.
That's a bad way of putting the matter, because it flattens Muddy out. He's lovely, and his affection for Harley helps Harley open himself to friendships with Chelsea's BFF Noria and Muddy's abrasive, obnoxious, but ultimately decent best friend Finley.
NGL, That's not a fault in the book, it's just not where I would have liked the story to go. *shrug* Mensah does a wonderful job of exploring the relationships among the four friends, Chelsea's rocky relationship with Finley, and Harley's movement away from emotional and physical self-destructiveness. If I had a complaint it would be that Harley's pain and unhappiness could probably have been well conveyed without quite so many floods of tears, but when it came down to it I wasn't put off, so.
I really liked this cast of characters, as well: three of the four friends are working class; two are white, two are Black. They talk about hair, work, sex, music, rugby, birds; they swim and go bowling. Noria and Chelsea in particular are funny and sharp-tongued. Finley's a particularly unusual character because he really is kind of a jerk to begin with, but in a bull-in-a-china-shop-genuinely-meaning-no-harm way; he matures over the course of the book, partly because he loves Chelsea and partly because everyone brings him up short every time he says anything thoughtlessly homophobic, which he does about every five minutes. The scenes between him and Harley are priceless, especially once it's clear to Harley that Finley truly does care about him. At that point Harley starts calling him out sternly but hilariously and Finley's chagrin is pleasant to behold.
I should also add that Harley's terrible father doesn't stand as the lone Black British man other than Harley himself. Noria's father, who immigrated from Nigeria, is a kind man who likes Harley and adores his daughter, and the therapist Harley eventually lucks into is Black. No, none of this feels shoehorned, but just like the context Harley lives in.
All in all, Small Joys is a beautiful story of love and friendship. I'm looking forward to Mensah's future work. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
That's a bad way of putting the matter, because it flattens Muddy out. He's lovely, and his affection for Harley helps Harley open himself to friendships with Chelsea's BFF Noria and Muddy's abrasive, obnoxious, but ultimately decent best friend Finley.
NGL, That's not a fault in the book, it's just not where I would have liked the story to go. *shrug* Mensah does a wonderful job of exploring the relationships among the four friends, Chelsea's rocky relationship with Finley, and Harley's movement away from emotional and physical self-destructiveness. If I had a complaint it would be that Harley's pain and unhappiness could probably have been well conveyed without quite so many floods of tears, but when it came down to it I wasn't put off, so.
I really liked this cast of characters, as well: three of the four friends are working class; two are white, two are Black. They talk about hair, work, sex, music, rugby, birds; they swim and go bowling. Noria and Chelsea in particular are funny and sharp-tongued. Finley's a particularly unusual character because he really is kind of a jerk to begin with, but in a bull-in-a-china-shop-genuinely-meaning-no-harm way; he matures over the course of the book, partly because he loves Chelsea and partly because everyone brings him up short every time he says anything thoughtlessly homophobic, which he does about every five minutes. The scenes between him and Harley are priceless, especially once it's clear to Harley that Finley truly does care about him. At that point Harley starts calling him out sternly but hilariously and Finley's chagrin is pleasant to behold.
I should also add that Harley's terrible father doesn't stand as the lone Black British man other than Harley himself. Noria's father, who immigrated from Nigeria, is a kind man who likes Harley and adores his daughter, and the therapist Harley eventually lucks into is Black. No, none of this feels shoehorned, but just like the context Harley lives in.
All in all, Small Joys is a beautiful story of love and friendship. I'm looking forward to Mensah's future work. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
April 10, 2023
What do you have planned for the week?
Small Joys
by Elvin James Mensah
Pub Date 11 Apr 2023
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
General Fiction (Adult) | LGBTQIAP+ | Literary Fiction
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Small Joys. It is Elvin James Mensah's debut novel. This is a story about the loving friendship between Harley and Muddy. The story is raw, touching, and heartfelt. Despite each character's unique traits, they come together in meaningful scenes. This beautiful story of imperfect friendship left a lasting impression on me as a reader. It is a wonderful debut and I look forward to reading more.
Small Joy is available on April 11th. (4.25/5)
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for sharing this incredible friendship. I appreciate your kindness.
#Small Joys #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
Small Joys
by Elvin James Mensah
Pub Date 11 Apr 2023
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
General Fiction (Adult) | LGBTQIAP+ | Literary Fiction
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Small Joys. It is Elvin James Mensah's debut novel. This is a story about the loving friendship between Harley and Muddy. The story is raw, touching, and heartfelt. Despite each character's unique traits, they come together in meaningful scenes. This beautiful story of imperfect friendship left a lasting impression on me as a reader. It is a wonderful debut and I look forward to reading more.
Small Joy is available on April 11th. (4.25/5)
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for sharing this incredible friendship. I appreciate your kindness.
#Small Joys #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
June 14, 2023
It took me 2 months to finish this book. Took that long not because it is horrible, no, but this story is a sort of painful echo of some of my experiences. I haven't related this much to a novel since well I don't know since when! Like the main character, I too am an anxious, queer, 21 year old uni student (who doesn't think uni is all that right for him) who sometimes feels that the world throws too much at him. As a result of this, lot of the passages on here I resonated with (some of which made me pause this book and pick up another one in the meantime.)
I am so glad I read this novel at this stage of my life because I took many lessons out of it, ones I can hopefully apply to my life soon.
Also there are not many stories out there about friendship and as someone who values friendships a whole lot I'm beyond happy with the focus on it for this story.
I am not good at reviewing books I love so I'll stop here haha.
I highly recommend this one folks!
I am so glad I read this novel at this stage of my life because I took many lessons out of it, ones I can hopefully apply to my life soon.
Also there are not many stories out there about friendship and as someone who values friendships a whole lot I'm beyond happy with the focus on it for this story.
I am not good at reviewing books I love so I'll stop here haha.
I highly recommend this one folks!
September 21, 2024
A book about friendship?
Harley, an isolated young gay black man in England, heals with the help of his friends.
For a novel where the narrator is dealing with racism, homophobia, anxiety, depression (including suicidal impulses), and religious/family trauma, the tone is surprisingly light. It felt somewhat detached to me, which is certainly one way depression can manifest, and I think that slowed my warming to the story. And yet, I'm also glad of it, because much of what Harley deals with, which I'd forgotten about between the time I bought this and read it, would have been more than I really want to deal with were it presented in the style these elements usually turn up in the genres I typically read.
A warning to any of my fellow m/m readers, this is not a romance. It's more contemporary gay fiction. There's a sort of queer platonic thing going on with one of Harley's friends, but the rest of the friend group is straight.
Despite all the awful stuff mentioned above, it feels like a largely upbeat book, and the ending is a happy one. (Just not in a romantic sense.)
Early on, I didn't think I'd be giving this five stars, but in the end, even if maybe it's not quite all the way there, I'm rounding it up.
Other notes: Ace rep! 👍 This may be the slangiest UK book I've read, I certainly can't remember one that felt as alien to me. It was a bit weird seeing house sparrows and starlings referred to as a rarity, they're two of the most common birds around where I live.
Harley, an isolated young gay black man in England, heals with the help of his friends.
For a novel where the narrator is dealing with racism, homophobia, anxiety, depression (including suicidal impulses), and religious/family trauma, the tone is surprisingly light. It felt somewhat detached to me, which is certainly one way depression can manifest, and I think that slowed my warming to the story. And yet, I'm also glad of it, because much of what Harley deals with, which I'd forgotten about between the time I bought this and read it, would have been more than I really want to deal with were it presented in the style these elements usually turn up in the genres I typically read.
A warning to any of my fellow m/m readers, this is not a romance. It's more contemporary gay fiction. There's a sort of queer platonic thing going on with one of Harley's friends, but the rest of the friend group is straight.
Despite all the awful stuff mentioned above, it feels like a largely upbeat book, and the ending is a happy one. (Just not in a romantic sense.)
Early on, I didn't think I'd be giving this five stars, but in the end, even if maybe it's not quite all the way there, I'm rounding it up.
Other notes: Ace rep! 👍 This may be the slangiest UK book I've read, I certainly can't remember one that felt as alien to me. It was a bit weird seeing house sparrows and starlings referred to as a rarity, they're two of the most common birds around where I live.
April 24, 2023
On my blog.
Rep: Black gay mc with depression & anxiety, dyslexic achillean character, side character with depression
CWs: homophobia, suicidal ideation, self harm, racism, homophobic & racist violence, past sexual assault, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
Small Joys, I just know, is going to prove near impossible to review. In fact, I started this review around 3 weeks before coming to finish it. Mostly, this is because I don’t have the words to even start talking about this book.
The story follows Harley, suicidal and dropped out of university, who comes back to his hometown and, by chance, meets Muddy, who will pretty much singlehandedly change the course of Harley’s existence.
This is a very character-driven story and Elvin James Mensah has crafted each of these characters with such love and care that it’s almost tangible off the page (even Finlay, resident homophobic ally). I was honestly expecting this book to take me a few days to read but I was sucked into it so thoroughly I’d finished it before I knew it. And that was down to how much I adored the characters. I loved them so much I didn’t want to leave them on finishing it.
I think that, in part, is also what makes the darker sections of the book feel less so. It’s a book that covers some heavy topics — religious homophobia (complete with attempted exorcism), attempted suicide and depression, dementia — but because Harley is so loved by all of his friends, because they all of them so love each other too, it’s like there’s a clear safety net for each and every discussion. Parts of the book were heavy, but they always still felt wrapped in love and care.
Really, the only issue I had with this one is that the ending felt quite abrupt. Or, not abrupt, so much as a little unfinished? Like there could have been more, but there wouldn’t be. Harley’s story had obviously come to a natural stopping point (although I would not call it a conclusion), but his friends’ hadn’t. They felt, in fact, more as though we were just beginning a plotline. That’s where the abruptness came from.
However, this is still a book I’d wholeheartedly recommend. It feels full of kindness and love in the best way possible.
Rep: Black gay mc with depression & anxiety, dyslexic achillean character, side character with depression
CWs: homophobia, suicidal ideation, self harm, racism, homophobic & racist violence, past sexual assault, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
Small Joys, I just know, is going to prove near impossible to review. In fact, I started this review around 3 weeks before coming to finish it. Mostly, this is because I don’t have the words to even start talking about this book.
The story follows Harley, suicidal and dropped out of university, who comes back to his hometown and, by chance, meets Muddy, who will pretty much singlehandedly change the course of Harley’s existence.
This is a very character-driven story and Elvin James Mensah has crafted each of these characters with such love and care that it’s almost tangible off the page (even Finlay, resident homophobic ally). I was honestly expecting this book to take me a few days to read but I was sucked into it so thoroughly I’d finished it before I knew it. And that was down to how much I adored the characters. I loved them so much I didn’t want to leave them on finishing it.
I think that, in part, is also what makes the darker sections of the book feel less so. It’s a book that covers some heavy topics — religious homophobia (complete with attempted exorcism), attempted suicide and depression, dementia — but because Harley is so loved by all of his friends, because they all of them so love each other too, it’s like there’s a clear safety net for each and every discussion. Parts of the book were heavy, but they always still felt wrapped in love and care.
Really, the only issue I had with this one is that the ending felt quite abrupt. Or, not abrupt, so much as a little unfinished? Like there could have been more, but there wouldn’t be. Harley’s story had obviously come to a natural stopping point (although I would not call it a conclusion), but his friends’ hadn’t. They felt, in fact, more as though we were just beginning a plotline. That’s where the abruptness came from.
However, this is still a book I’d wholeheartedly recommend. It feels full of kindness and love in the best way possible.
February 17, 2024
Have a look at my long-form interview with Elvin James Mensah about his debut novel, Small Joys:
https://youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=9IIhO...
https://youtu.be/ZSiLlBnQfD8?si=9IIhO...
May 3, 2023
An unforgettable and valuable story that undoubtedly has the power to bring experiences closer and heal pain. However, for me, it wasn't as perfect as I expected it to be because something in the narration didn't quite fit me, at times I felt that the intensity of the story was lost in insignificant details. In summary, the story and the characters are great but the prose, not entirely to my liking.
May 14, 2023
6 out of 5 stars! Spectacular. Possibly the most tender thing I've ever read.
June 11, 2023
there are those rare bird moments (😉) where a book reveals a world you weren’t looking for, but now it’s where you crave to be.
‘Small Joys’ was a book I had no expectations prior to picking up at my library. Thought the premise was cute, but little did i know how hard it would hit me in the face and leave the impact it brought on me. I cant help but think I was meant to read this novel at this current point of my life, as it scarily articulated so many thoughts I had kept to myself.
There’s really nothing about this book I didn’t love. The characters felt like multidimensional beings, with their own individual flaws and issues at stake, and all of them had such natural chemistry that nothing felt too forced for the sake of the plot. The friendship between Muddy and Harley felt real, despite the idea of a straight man being so unabashedly comfortable with masculinity and homosexuality could’ve came across as pure wish fulfillment.
Not only do i adore how this book deals with friendship, mental health, Black identity, masculinity, and being gay, but i also can’t get over how it just beautifully captures all of the colors and shades of the human experience. Nothing in this book is unnecessary, it is so calculatedly nuanced — making it all the more moving.
I wholeheartedly believe that this book will stay with me for an unhealthy amount of time, so I’ll be buying myself a personal copy to reread it again.
‘Small Joys’ was a book I had no expectations prior to picking up at my library. Thought the premise was cute, but little did i know how hard it would hit me in the face and leave the impact it brought on me. I cant help but think I was meant to read this novel at this current point of my life, as it scarily articulated so many thoughts I had kept to myself.
There’s really nothing about this book I didn’t love. The characters felt like multidimensional beings, with their own individual flaws and issues at stake, and all of them had such natural chemistry that nothing felt too forced for the sake of the plot. The friendship between Muddy and Harley felt real, despite the idea of a straight man being so unabashedly comfortable with masculinity and homosexuality could’ve came across as pure wish fulfillment.
Not only do i adore how this book deals with friendship, mental health, Black identity, masculinity, and being gay, but i also can’t get over how it just beautifully captures all of the colors and shades of the human experience. Nothing in this book is unnecessary, it is so calculatedly nuanced — making it all the more moving.
I wholeheartedly believe that this book will stay with me for an unhealthy amount of time, so I’ll be buying myself a personal copy to reread it again.
December 18, 2022
Small Joys is debut fiction from Elvin James Mensah.
Harley Sekyer is a college dropout, black, gay, and needy. His friends, Chelsea, Finlay, Noria, and Muddy are a menagerie of gender and races.
This story is a first person perspective, a story of friendship and love. Unfortunately, the story drags but there are enough redeeming qualities, notably good characterization, to finish it and rate it 3 out of 5 stars. There is nothing wrong with the writing style; the story just didn’t grab my interest.
If you enjoy general or LGBTQIAP+ fiction Small Joys may be more your cup of tea, so give it a read.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Harley Sekyer is a college dropout, black, gay, and needy. His friends, Chelsea, Finlay, Noria, and Muddy are a menagerie of gender and races.
This story is a first person perspective, a story of friendship and love. Unfortunately, the story drags but there are enough redeeming qualities, notably good characterization, to finish it and rate it 3 out of 5 stars. There is nothing wrong with the writing style; the story just didn’t grab my interest.
If you enjoy general or LGBTQIAP+ fiction Small Joys may be more your cup of tea, so give it a read.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
April 25, 2023
There was something really charming and uplifting about this gentle novel, despite the (at times) very heavy subject matter.
Harley is a young, gay, Black man in early 00s Britain. He has returned to his hometown after dropping out of uni, his self-esteem at rock bottom. He’s estranged from his African father who cannot accept Harley’s sexuality and only for a core group of friends looking out for him, Harley may not survive this harsh life and all that rains down on him. Through an unexpected friendship with new flatmate Muddy, an endlessly optimistic, upbeat, rugby-playing, bird-watching Northerner, Harley begins to navigate his depression and pull himself out of the quagmire.
The book explores life, love, friendship, toxic masculinity, identity, depression, vulnerability, unconditional love and just what it means to have someone fighting for you every step of the way - the family you choose. The author handles some pretty dark topics sensitively and with real empathy, humour and heart. The dialogue is snappy and very funny at times. I loved the 90s and 00s music references.
It’s one of those books that grabbed me pretty early on and had me rooting for the characters. Harley reminded me of Maame - he was dealt a tough hand but is a gorgeous soul who deserves the world. A touch of Duffy & Son for a younger generation to this heartwarmer. Small Joys indeed. 4/5⭐️
Many thanks to @scribneruk @simonandschusteruk for the arc via @netgalley. Small Joys was published this month and is available on audio on @scribd.
Trigger warning for suicide ideation, depression
Harley is a young, gay, Black man in early 00s Britain. He has returned to his hometown after dropping out of uni, his self-esteem at rock bottom. He’s estranged from his African father who cannot accept Harley’s sexuality and only for a core group of friends looking out for him, Harley may not survive this harsh life and all that rains down on him. Through an unexpected friendship with new flatmate Muddy, an endlessly optimistic, upbeat, rugby-playing, bird-watching Northerner, Harley begins to navigate his depression and pull himself out of the quagmire.
The book explores life, love, friendship, toxic masculinity, identity, depression, vulnerability, unconditional love and just what it means to have someone fighting for you every step of the way - the family you choose. The author handles some pretty dark topics sensitively and with real empathy, humour and heart. The dialogue is snappy and very funny at times. I loved the 90s and 00s music references.
It’s one of those books that grabbed me pretty early on and had me rooting for the characters. Harley reminded me of Maame - he was dealt a tough hand but is a gorgeous soul who deserves the world. A touch of Duffy & Son for a younger generation to this heartwarmer. Small Joys indeed. 4/5⭐️
Many thanks to @scribneruk @simonandschusteruk for the arc via @netgalley. Small Joys was published this month and is available on audio on @scribd.
Trigger warning for suicide ideation, depression
September 20, 2023
This book is so heavy and emotional and yet... I honestly don't even know how to review it, but it was good, even though certain parts kicked my already wobbly fragile mental state. It's definitely a story of hope at the end of the road.
The audiobook narrator did a great job with the various accents.
Rep: Black gay mc with depression and anxiety, asexual mlm character with dyslexia, black side characters
The audiobook narrator did a great job with the various accents.
Rep: Black gay mc with depression and anxiety, asexual mlm character with dyslexia, black side characters
July 27, 2023
All up in my feels. Sad to see it end. Highly recommended. Beautifully written
July 3, 2024
Tras una dura infancia y una adolescencia donde su homófobo y religioso padre no deja de humillarlo y maltratarlo, Harley no se siente bien, se encuentra sumido en una profunda depresión, no le encuentra sentido a su vida y un día decide acabar con ella. Sin embargo, por casualidades del destino, su nuevo compañero de piso, Muddy, un fanático observador de aves se encuentra con él en medio del bosque e interrumpe su propósito. A raíz de este episodio, Harley y Muddy irán abriéndose uno al otro, creando un vínculo que da sentido a la vida del primero y cobijo al segundo para sentirse libre de ser quien es. A veces, la existencia de una persona es motivo suficiente para salvar la vida otra.
Me ha sorprendido muchísimo lo que he encontrado en “Pequeñas alegrías” puesto que pensaba encontrar una novela bonita, dulce y luminosa, y aunque es todo esto, también es una historia dura, triste y a ratos, bastante oscura. Creo que el autor habla con mucho acierto sobre la salud mental y hace un retrato muy crudo y real sobre como transita Harley por sus emociones, a veces siente una tristeza abrumadora y otras la más grande de las euforias. Cualquier momento negativo sea trascendente o no, provoca en él una regresión a sus peores momentos, mientras que cualquier suceso bonito le produce una gran felicidad. Me gusta mucho como está creado el personaje, se nota que el autor ha puesta mucha verdad y mimo en él.
Tanto Harley como Muddy son de esos personajes adorables que te dejan huella, a los que amas desde las primeras páginas, con los que sufres en los malos momentos y sonríes en los buenos. Es una delicia leer una novela donde sus personajes te gustan tanto que te pasas toda la lectura deseando que todo les vaya bien. Para un lector como yo, donde lo principal para engancharme a una historia es que me digan algo sus personajes, es todo un lujo dar con libros como este.
La historia nos habla de como el odio y la incomprensión pueden destruir a una persona, y como esta oscuridad puede dirigir su mundo, pero también nos habla del amor, del bien que podemos hacer a otros y como este sentimiento es más poderoso que el anterior. Debo admitir que la historia tiene mucho de utópico, y la compresión y apoyo que se dan los personajes unos a otros me transmiten eso, no creo que estemos avanzados aún hasta ese punto en la vida real, pero si algo me enseñó “Heartstopper” es que necesitamos más historias utópicas, al menos hasta que llegue el día que dejen de serlo.
“Pequeñas alegrías” también nos habla de homofobia, racismo y religión y como estas tres afectan a la vida de Harley, a través de diferentes personajes, mostrando lo rancias y ridículas que estas creencias son, normalmente apoyadas en la hipocresía de los que la profesan. Siempre que leo libros que tocan este tema, me viene a la mente la expresión popular “a Dios rogando y con el mazo dando”. Pocos dichos tan antiguos siguen teniendo tanto sentido en la actualidad.
Me ha gustado mucho como el autor muestra las diferentes personalidades de sus personajes, escapando de los tópicos y clichés que estamos tan acostumbrados (y asqueados) de ver a la hora de representar a los personajes según su sexo, su orientación sexual o incluso su origen. Encuentro especialmente relevante como varios de los personajes masculinos heterosexuales son mostrados como personas sensibles y vulnerables, huyendo del reflejo siempre duro e insensible con el que suelen ser representados. Sin embargo, las dos amigas de nuestro protagonista son representadas como mujeres fuertes y bromistas, igualmente vulnerables y emocionales, pero con cierta predisposición a actuar con poca delicadeza, a veces incluso algo brutas en su comportamiento. Sinceramente, me ha parecido muy refrescante salir de lo típico de siempre.
Además de lo tierno y lo duro, en esta obra también he encontrado mucha risa, y es que el grupo de amigos que se forma se relaciona de manera muy real, dando lugar a constantes bromas y comentarios irónicos que no dejaban de sacarme sonrisas, precisamente porque podrían ser soltados por cualquier amigo de mi propio grupo. El personaje de Noria me ha parecido especialmente divertido. “Pequeñas alegrías”, hace honor a su título, y entre dolor y tristeza, consigue que el lector sienta esperanza, alegría. Me parece un debut increíble el de Elvin James Mensah, y me deja con muchas ganas de ver que otras obras puede traernos.
Me ha sorprendido muchísimo lo que he encontrado en “Pequeñas alegrías” puesto que pensaba encontrar una novela bonita, dulce y luminosa, y aunque es todo esto, también es una historia dura, triste y a ratos, bastante oscura. Creo que el autor habla con mucho acierto sobre la salud mental y hace un retrato muy crudo y real sobre como transita Harley por sus emociones, a veces siente una tristeza abrumadora y otras la más grande de las euforias. Cualquier momento negativo sea trascendente o no, provoca en él una regresión a sus peores momentos, mientras que cualquier suceso bonito le produce una gran felicidad. Me gusta mucho como está creado el personaje, se nota que el autor ha puesta mucha verdad y mimo en él.
Tanto Harley como Muddy son de esos personajes adorables que te dejan huella, a los que amas desde las primeras páginas, con los que sufres en los malos momentos y sonríes en los buenos. Es una delicia leer una novela donde sus personajes te gustan tanto que te pasas toda la lectura deseando que todo les vaya bien. Para un lector como yo, donde lo principal para engancharme a una historia es que me digan algo sus personajes, es todo un lujo dar con libros como este.
La historia nos habla de como el odio y la incomprensión pueden destruir a una persona, y como esta oscuridad puede dirigir su mundo, pero también nos habla del amor, del bien que podemos hacer a otros y como este sentimiento es más poderoso que el anterior. Debo admitir que la historia tiene mucho de utópico, y la compresión y apoyo que se dan los personajes unos a otros me transmiten eso, no creo que estemos avanzados aún hasta ese punto en la vida real, pero si algo me enseñó “Heartstopper” es que necesitamos más historias utópicas, al menos hasta que llegue el día que dejen de serlo.
“Pequeñas alegrías” también nos habla de homofobia, racismo y religión y como estas tres afectan a la vida de Harley, a través de diferentes personajes, mostrando lo rancias y ridículas que estas creencias son, normalmente apoyadas en la hipocresía de los que la profesan. Siempre que leo libros que tocan este tema, me viene a la mente la expresión popular “a Dios rogando y con el mazo dando”. Pocos dichos tan antiguos siguen teniendo tanto sentido en la actualidad.
Me ha gustado mucho como el autor muestra las diferentes personalidades de sus personajes, escapando de los tópicos y clichés que estamos tan acostumbrados (y asqueados) de ver a la hora de representar a los personajes según su sexo, su orientación sexual o incluso su origen. Encuentro especialmente relevante como varios de los personajes masculinos heterosexuales son mostrados como personas sensibles y vulnerables, huyendo del reflejo siempre duro e insensible con el que suelen ser representados. Sin embargo, las dos amigas de nuestro protagonista son representadas como mujeres fuertes y bromistas, igualmente vulnerables y emocionales, pero con cierta predisposición a actuar con poca delicadeza, a veces incluso algo brutas en su comportamiento. Sinceramente, me ha parecido muy refrescante salir de lo típico de siempre.
Además de lo tierno y lo duro, en esta obra también he encontrado mucha risa, y es que el grupo de amigos que se forma se relaciona de manera muy real, dando lugar a constantes bromas y comentarios irónicos que no dejaban de sacarme sonrisas, precisamente porque podrían ser soltados por cualquier amigo de mi propio grupo. El personaje de Noria me ha parecido especialmente divertido. “Pequeñas alegrías”, hace honor a su título, y entre dolor y tristeza, consigue que el lector sienta esperanza, alegría. Me parece un debut increíble el de Elvin James Mensah, y me deja con muchas ganas de ver que otras obras puede traernos.
March 1, 2025
Half a star lost because this book is about a birder and has lots of bird talk. Not a fan as someone terrified birds. Other half of the star is lost for other reasons. Full review to come after book club!
Just realized I never updated this after book club. This book was wonderful! It is about the complicated friendships between a gay man in his early 20s has while he is also dealing with some serious mental health issues. He becomes really close with Muddy, one of his new roommates, and MAN, do I love me some Muddy. After some reflection, I think I love Muddy so much because he reminds me a lot of Louis Tomlinson when he was younger and in One Direction, all touchy and obsessed with Harry. The author does a great job at discussing mental health and su*c*dal ideation in a way that feels realistic. Again, I hated the bird stuff. It also took me a long time to get used to the writing style. It felt like I was reading a book that literally goes, “I walked outside. I saw Muddy. We got in the car. We drove home.” Hard to explain because it wasn’t just the use of simple sentences, but idk! It grew on me around 75% of the way through though.
Just realized I never updated this after book club. This book was wonderful! It is about the complicated friendships between a gay man in his early 20s has while he is also dealing with some serious mental health issues. He becomes really close with Muddy, one of his new roommates, and MAN, do I love me some Muddy. After some reflection, I think I love Muddy so much because he reminds me a lot of Louis Tomlinson when he was younger and in One Direction, all touchy and obsessed with Harry. The author does a great job at discussing mental health and su*c*dal ideation in a way that feels realistic. Again, I hated the bird stuff. It also took me a long time to get used to the writing style. It felt like I was reading a book that literally goes, “I walked outside. I saw Muddy. We got in the car. We drove home.” Hard to explain because it wasn’t just the use of simple sentences, but idk! It grew on me around 75% of the way through though.
February 24, 2025
Overall it was truly lovely and the definition of a warm hug. We loooove muddy and Harley deserves sooooo much love.
I loved the ace rep and the slow coming into it. It was real and important and brought a lot with it for me. There was so many conversations to be had about the layers in this story and it was really really well crafted to go deeper and deeper.
There was just so much depth and layers to this book. Each character was wonderfully written and complex and potential for growth. Every time I wasn’t reading the book I was thinking about when I got to read it.
Only problem I had was really the sheer number of music references. I don’t know anything about music and do not care, so I feel like I missed a level of intentionality from the authors side as they chose specific songs and bands to reference.
I loved the ace rep and the slow coming into it. It was real and important and brought a lot with it for me. There was so many conversations to be had about the layers in this story and it was really really well crafted to go deeper and deeper.
There was just so much depth and layers to this book. Each character was wonderfully written and complex and potential for growth. Every time I wasn’t reading the book I was thinking about when I got to read it.
Only problem I had was really the sheer number of music references. I don’t know anything about music and do not care, so I feel like I missed a level of intentionality from the authors side as they chose specific songs and bands to reference.
July 14, 2024
This book changed my life and got me back into reading romance (although I’m not sure I’d really call this a romance in the usual sense, it’s mostly about close friendships and trust but in my mind I think you could still consider these books romance)
April 27, 2025
lovely and heartwarming as a book abt friendship. theres some really heavy stuff in it but tbh i always felt somewhat detached from the darker things that happened, they didnt have quite as much of an emotional impact on me as the quiet and soft moments of the book
February 2, 2025
4.5 stars
October 19, 2022
SMALL JOYS is a delightful story that most definitely became a small joy the two days that it took me to read. We meet Harley during the darkest period of his life, struggling with anxiety and depression after dropping out of university and accompany him in his journey to find happiness with his found family: Chelsea, Noria, Finlay, and Muddy.
Elvin James Mensah gave equal weight to the entire supporting cast, and manages to make all of them unique and interesting. Muddy is one of the loveliest characters I have read, making me hope that one day we could get a story of his own. Mensah’s descriptive way of writing Harley’s thoughts and feelings during his worst moments did feel a bit triggering, but they are never there just to be impactful, these moments feel importan to the story every time.
Advanced eARC provided by NetGalley.
Elvin James Mensah gave equal weight to the entire supporting cast, and manages to make all of them unique and interesting. Muddy is one of the loveliest characters I have read, making me hope that one day we could get a story of his own. Mensah’s descriptive way of writing Harley’s thoughts and feelings during his worst moments did feel a bit triggering, but they are never there just to be impactful, these moments feel importan to the story every time.
Advanced eARC provided by NetGalley.
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