Lenaribka

I love historical fiction, especially those books, that in spite of being the product of the author's imagination are accurately researched and tell me something new that I haven't yet known, that make me think a lot, even days after I finished them.

A Night at the Ariston Baths is one of those books. It starts with a Saturday evening in June 28, 1969, when Theodore and Jasper, an old gay couple, listened to the evening news. "They did it. By God, they did it! [...] Our people. Our...people." If you consider yourself not just a passionate MM reader, but also a person who supports gay rights, you have to know that the Stonewall Riots largely regarded as a catalyst for the LGBT movement for civil rights in the United States.




The Stonewall Riots inspired LGBT people throughout the country to organize in support of gay rights, and within two years after the riots, gay rights groups had been started in nearly every major city in the United States. So yes, the Stonewall Riots is well-known. But I bet, not many of you have ever heard of the first recorded riot on a gay bathhouse, the Ariston Hotel Baths.
On February 21, 1903, 26 men were arrested and 12 brought to trial on sodomy charges; 7 men received sentences ranging from 4 to 20 years in prison.

This book dedicated to the memory of the men whose lives were forever altered one night in 1903.




I have to admit, that I found the title a bit strange at the beginning, more suitable for a short PWP. But the blurb attracted my attention, and I'm glad that I had a possibility to read this book among the very first readers. In retrospect, I think that the title reflects the best way the story of two friends, Theodore and Martin, for whom this night at the Ariston Baths happened to play a crucial role.

The book starts in 1969(Prologue), and then goes back in 1902, where the story of Theodore and Martin begins...

Michael Murphy created a wonderful piece of prose, atmospheric, realistic, and though hopeful and romantic. I appreciate the way the author used to tell his readers about two gay men, best friends since their childhood, who were involved in this event. It is sad to read what a tragic turn a single fate could have taken, but it is also good to know that in spite of the horrible period of time for gay men and women, when to be in a homosexual relationship were very dangerous, there were still couples that managed to overcome difficulties and stay together life long.



I can't recommend this book highly enough. It makes you wiser, and at the same time it is a well-written and enjoyable historical novel, that surely won't leave you indifferent.

***ARC provided to Gay Book Reviews by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***