Our New Gods by Thomas Vowles review – debut queer thriller dares to wade into the muck of modern desire

Compelling and challenging, seductive and sickening, this screenwriter’s first novel grows increasingly unhinged as its pitiable protagonist risks it all for a crushGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailLike many young people, Ash has left his small country town for the big city. As a gay man, it’s a relief to be in Melbourne, where he can be himself. Through Grindr he has met James, once a hookup and now a friend, though Ash still desires him. So he’s on edge when he meets James’s mysterious new boyfriend, Raf – an intimidatingly beautiful Brazilian man who looks like “Jesus in an old oil painting”.Then Ash witnesses Raf committing a violent act at a house party. When tragedy strikes later at a bush doof, it seems this is Raf’s doing, too. Ash tasks himself with investigating all the clues to uncover the truth – a pursuit that becomes his undoing.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morningOur New Gods by Thomas Vowles is out now (UQP, $34.99) Continue reading...

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