This is a really compelling and cleverly done short story collection. Most of the stories are intertwined, with one major story running through the book, about Lionel, Charles, and Sophie, three professional dancers at the same studio. Charles and Sophie are in an open relationship, and Lionel and Charles have started sleeping together.

Their story is interrupted by other stories, each of which is deeply tragic. You get dropped into different people's lives who are struggling immensely, and then move back to Lionel's story.

The standout elements of this book are the writing and characterisation. I would really a full novel about any of these characters. They are well-formed and deeply drawn, and have extremely complex and detailed relationships with everyone else in their story. The way this is written really pulls you into each story as well - it's almost a bit jarring to go to the next.

There are elements of Real Life in this, particularly the dynamics between Lionel and Charles reminded me of Wallace and (? Miller?). But truly excellent - makes me want to read another Brandon Taylor ASAP.