Chuck Tingle, Bury Your Gays. New York: Nightfire (Tor), 2024. ISBN: 9781250874658.
Misha is the writer of a television series. When his bosses tell him to "bury his gays," i.e. either he makes his gay characters straight or kills them off, he refuses to do it. Soon strange and horrifying things start happening as other horror monsters that Misha created in his writings come to life. When they put Misha and those he loves in danger, he has to take action. Will his friends and him survive?
This novel does some things very well. The main story overall is entertaining, and it is thrilling at times. It is a bit of a monster horror with other horror tropes blended in. The author clearly knows his horror tropes and concepts, and he freely plays around with them, taking them in new directions, yet keep keeping a certain familiar feel that a horror reader expects. The novel also features various twists that add to the thrills and at times subvert conventions. Just when you think you are figuring things out, the author does a new twist or surprise. Part of why you keep reading is to see what twists will come. You also keep reading just to see if Misha and his friends make it.
The novel also plays a lot with popular culture. You don't have to be fully in tune with popular culture, but if you are you may appreciate the subtle and not so subtle references and jabs the author presents.
The novels does have some moments when the author gets on his soapbox to comment and preach on issues ranging from LGBTQIA issues to capitalism to copyright to exploitation, etc. The issue for some readers is that those small treatises seriously slow down the narrative pace. You are getting deep into the story, worried about Misha and the others, and here comes some commentary on the evils of capitalism. Given the novel's plot, setting, and imagery, I think readers can get the message just fine without the extra telling. Some of those passages could be skimmed.
A strength of the novel is in the representation. It really is an inclusive novel, and it does it in a natural way. It is not trying to just check boxes. It is inclusive because it is natural. Love is love as the author often tells us, and it is just fine. All kinds of folks can find themselves in this book.
In the end, another strength is in the appeal factors. All kinds of readers in various genres will likely be happy reading this. Horror fans? Check. LGBTQIA? Check? Thrillers? Check, and so on. This book covers a lot of ground and elements, not always perfectly, but does have something for many types of readers. It also has some heart.
If you have never read a Chuck Tingle book, this may be a good entry point. If you are like me, seen the covers of his absurdist hot erotica on social media but never read it and are curious, you may want to go check it out too. I probably will when I get a chance. If you just want some horror, queer or otherwise, this can be for you. Looking for that new writer on his way up? This may be it, take a chance, and you'll be able to say I read Chuck Tingle just as he was rising.
I do recommend this book for libraries, especially for public libraries. This is also one to feature on Pride Month displays as well as horror displays. I'd consider acquiring it for our library, especially if a patron requests it.
For me, I liked it, but I did not really like it. However, I think a lot of readers will enjoy it if they take a chance on it. I am still recommending it in reader's advisory, and I am curious enough I will try to find his previous novel, Camp Damascus.
On a final note, this book does feel like it is made for film, so I would not be surprised if a streamer picks it up for a film adaptation down the road.
3 out of 5 stars.
Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges:
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