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sandro_reads 's review for:

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
5.0
emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A book about chosen family with a split timeline following Yale and his group of friends at the onset of the AIDS crisis in Chicago and then one of those friends, Fiona, present day.

Yale’s chapters sing with every emotion capturing a harrowing time for the LGBTQIA+ community - with Chicago as much of a character. And, while Fiona’s storyline does not work as well as Yale’s, it does serve to bring a sense of reflection and hope to the heavy subject matter.