When the Harvest Comes
Denne Michele Norris. Random House, $28 (304p) ISBN 978-0-593-72960-1
In Norris’s gorgeous debut, a queer couple navigate their differences after an unexpected loss. Femme violist Davis Freeman, who is Black, is set to marry sturdy bisexual Everett Caldwell in the Caldwells’ Montauk beach house. Davis has never felt at ease among Everett’s white family, who are boisterous and demonstrative, and he’s pleasantly surprised when his sister, Olivia, arrives unexpectedly for the wedding. During the reception, Olivia receives word that their father, a stern Baptist minister they call the Reverend, has died in a car accident. Davis, who has had little contact with his father since he ran away from home at 18, refuses to travel back home to Cleveland for the funeral. In the following months, Davis retreats emotionally and physically from Everett, who struggles to support him through his grief. Meanwhile, Davis throws his energy into his music career and dresses differently, experimenting with his gender expression. Norris excels at plumbing her characters’ emotional depths as Davis and Everett observe each other from an increasing distance, and the melancholic narrative builds to a satisfying crescendo. This is worth savoring. Agent: Robert Guinsler, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Apr.)
Correction: A previous version of this review used the wrong pronoun to refer to the author.
Details
Reviewed on: 01/21/2025
Genre: Fiction
Other - 978-0-593-72961-8