The Boys by Katie Hafner

What art will emerge from the Pandemic?  For two years, all of humanity felt changed routines, greater uncertainty and increased fear. How will our great artists and creators distill and reflect back the emotions and trauma of the moment?

The Boys by Katie Hafner is a wonderful novel, and early contribution to the genre. It isn't only about the pandemic, but the pandemic does play an important role bringing out the central character.  It is a beautiful book.   The scenes are so well drawn I felt like I was joining in a wedding in a quirky Philadelphia museum, or a bike trip in Italy.

If you love how Richard Powers explores the challenge of understanding a loved one's mind in Bewilderment, or Lauren Groff describes the complexity of relationships in Fates & Furies, you will enjoy the characters and complexity of this book.  Highly recommend.