THE CORRUPTION OF HOLLIS BROWN

A boy falls in love with the ghost that’s possessing him.

Lonely high school senior Hollis Brown feels trapped. He has two close friends, Annie Watanabe and Yulia Ambibola, but his rural town is similar to many others—a dark, forgotten American dreamscape, devoid of industry and government investment. No one can afford to leave, but staying is slowly killing them. Hollis anticipates factory or construction work will be in his future, but near the woods he meets Walt, a strange teenage boy, who like Hollis presents white. In exchange for food and shelter, Walt will help Hollis get his life on track. Walt possesses Hollis’ body but allows him space inside their shared mind. Some of the small changes Walt makes do indeed make Hollis’s life better, but it quickly becomes clear that Walt has violent secrets and unfinished business. Nevertheless, the two fall for each other and begin to work to free Walt. But as their bond grows stronger, Hollis’ friends become suspicious of his strangely distracted behavior and “weirdly happy” mood, and the pair must figure out how to preserve their relationship. Ancrum’s tight writing style is perfect for this gritty thriller: simultaneously clipped and lyrical. Both boys are flawed and broken, but their caring connection for each other and themselves is beautiful. The novel’s rich tenderness for the town, its residents, and their ghosts makes it a must-read.

Queer resilience at its finest.