A Gathering Storm

The recent progress of LGBTQ equality, particularly same-sex marriage, has rightfully been cause for celebration. But while it is important to be proud, it is just as essential to remember the dangers of being gay.

In his latest novel, "A Gathering Storm," author Jameson Currier, whose profound body of work includes "Where the Rainbow Ends" and "The Third Buddha," presents a captivating, highly detailed, and impressively impartial, almost journalistic, profile of a Southern college town shaken by the after-effects of a hate crime when a male student is beaten and left for dead for no reason other than his sexual orientation.

Known for his tender, sensitive portrayals of relationships between men, Currier advises readers in the foreword that this novel's approach differs from his previous projects and that the story idea came to him more than a decade ago, following the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998.

While the author reminds readers that "The Gathering Storm" is a work of fiction, it is based on details from actual hate crimes, including the Laramie, Wyoming, events involving Mr. Shepard. We have all likely heard about, or even experienced, similar incidents, but Currier's timing is fortuitous, because we cannot be reminded enough, especially now, that hate violence still exists.

The victim, Danny, meets two men at a bar. The homophobic culprits, A.J. and Rick, are desperate for cash to buy alcohol and drugs, so they flirt with the young, well-groomed Danny, who presumably has money, intending to rob him. They offer Danny a ride home, he agrees, and then things go terribly wrong.

In a declarative, haunting retelling, each concise chapter, named for a day of the week, describes how events transpired on the day of the horrific crime, as well as the days before and after, from various points of view.

The novel is written in third person, providing perspective from Danny himself and seemingly everyone directly and indirectly associated with him: His parents, brother, fellow students (one of whom survived a criminal assault), neighborhood friends and even an Internet crush. A.J. and Rick also relay their ever-changing version of events to their companions and law enforcement, including an officer uncle whose attempt to protect them from prosecution is in vain.

Because Danny's near-lifeless body was found near a chapel, the town pastor provides an especially compelling viewpoint, appalled by the violent act, yet quietly disapproving of the boy's lifestyle. We also hear from a much less reserved, hateful group of Westboro Baptist Church-like protestors.

The media's role is portrayed as equally supportive and invasive to both Danny's family and the southern town itself, both of which have been unknown until the attack attracts national attention.

I am a tremendous fan of the author, and while he admits this novel is not an example of his customary writing style, the powerful prose effectively conveys why it was written, as well as the inherent need for it to be read. Despite -- or perhaps because of -- the unpleasant circumstances and outcome that shape this novel, "A Gathering Storm" is enraging, engrossing and impossible to put down.

"A Gathering Storm"
Jameson Currier
$20.00
Chelsea Station Editions