Reviews

The Dreaming by Andre Bagoo

Only show reviews with written explanations

One of my favourite reads of 2022 that I will be screaming about this year. If you read this book and do not like it- unfollow me because….. this book is brilliant, fresh, laugh-out loud funny, heartbreaking, poignant and visceral. A top favourite for me.

The Dreaming is a collection of twelve short stories, set in Trinidad and Tobago that follows the lives of queer men as they navigate a society that is still not as accepting of them. The collection documents their social interactions, dating, heartbreak, relationships, sex and love. Of the twelve stories all were my favourites. I loved reading about a Queer Writer in Trinidad looking for love and all the wrong turns that they end up taking before they find it.

This book is distinctly Trini and I think that is what I enjoyed most about it. I know all the roads, clubs, coffee shops and bars mentioned in the book. Bagoo does an exceptional job of telling stories we generally don’t read and I was here for it. If you love Kei Miller or Jonathan Escoffery’s work, I think you will absolutely enjoy this one.

Please do not sleep on THE DREAMING.

nefariousbee's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I did not expect to like these stories that much. the first half was meh but then I felt it picked up and the last ones I couldn't put the book down.

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

the dreaming is a great collection of short stories featuring mostly gay and queer men in trinidad, and characters who are all surprisingly connected to each other. the stories are all different, unpredictable and often veering from expectations, keeping the reader on their toes.

tho some stories are more memorable than others, and overall the whole work's impact isnt as visceral as i think it could be, bagoo's writing nevertheless flows rly well, and rings true for both sth universal and personal. i also enjoy how the crux of each story - be it the theme, main conflict or the characters' circumstances - varies. the most T&T setting can be immersive as well, and im grateful to get to learn more abt the caribbean country and its ppl - esp those who are LGBTQ+ - in various ways thru bagoo's first collection of fiction.

Content Warnings