Book Club: Orange
A novel by Curtis Garner, exploring first-love and self-discovery.
Published in 2026, Orange is the second novel from Curtis Garner.
What's Orange about?
Cornwall, 2018. In the quiet fishing village of Portscatho, sixteen-year-old Daniel Orange form an unexpected connection with local boy Jago. What unfolds is transformative, particularly for Daniel, who for the first time feels truly seen.
East London, 2023. Daniel has rewritten himself: sharper, louder, queer in a way the city understands. But a visit from Jago stirs up a reckoning with his former life, forcing them both to question how much change their bond can withstand.
What themes does the novel explore?
This isn't really a coming out story. Daniel's queerness is context for his character but it's not necessarily a plot point. What is explored in more detail is the power of labels. Daniel embraces being a queer man, whereas Jago is reluctant to put his sexuality in a box. The same applies to the status of their relationship - Daniel wants some certainty as to how to describe their relationship, but Jago sees less need to put everything into black and white.
Masculinity is also a theme that weaves throughout the story. Daniel observes the performance of masculinity by Jago's school-friends but also in the men that he has sex with once he moves to London. The restrictions of masculinity are contrasted against the fluidity of queerness, but the story highlights the self-policing of queer men who are still measuring themselves and each other against heteronormative masculine ideals.
Geography is at the heart of this story. The narrative has a strong sense of place and illustrates how our communities shape us, while also highlighting that our search for belonging can often push us to leave behind the places and people that have anchored us.
The tension in this story comes from reconciling our past and our present. Daniel has moved away, Jago has stayed behind. Daniel is building a new life for himself in London but Jago doesn't connect with the person that Daniel is becoming. Ultimately, Daniel has to choose between the life he is leading and the life that he has been trying to leave behind.
Why is this an important novel for gay men?
It's a sharp and observant exploration of the contemporary queer experience, with lots of East London references.
The story interrogates the intersection of queerness and masculinity and holds a mirror to the transactional nature of dating and hooking-up, contrasting that against the emotional power of intimacy.
The sex scenes are graphic and very well written. There's a range of sexual encounters and they feel real and authentic.
Naked Men Talking: Book Club
What if we took our clothes off and talked about books?
Naked Men Talking: Events
Book Club is part of the series of events that are presented by Naked Men Talking.
