Evaristo, Bernadine. Mr. Loverman: A Novel. Akashic Books. 2014. $15.95. 284 p. PB. ISBN 978-1-61775-272-8.

Seventy-four year old Barrington [Barry] Jedidiah Walker is an unhappily married, upper-middle-class Antiguan living in London, England. He is the father of two adult daughters and grandfather to a teenager. Barry has a secret that he must hide from his homophobic Caribbean community. He is gay and in a secret relationship with Morris, an old high school friend who lives near Barry in London. With his children grown and marriage falling apart, Barry must decide if it’s finally the time to come out to his family.

Written in the first person, the characters are very sharply drawn. Mr. Loverman is predictable in that once Barry comes out, not only does his life get better but so do the lives of the people around him. One of the joys of the book is the fact that it is written by an author with an ear for language. Its rhythms and use of patois are quite enjoyable.

This book is recommended for adult collections in libraries, especially those looking for more multicultural titles.

Scott Sheidlower, Associate Professor, Library
York College/CUNY, Jamaica, NY