A Boy at the Edge of the World by David Kingston Yeh

As the same time, by keeping to a minimalist, documentary language, I hoped to actively engage readers in creating the story, one enlivened by their own personal, subjective meaning. But I wanted to offer the same privileged realism (and validation) that straight sexuality enjoys in media and culture. It was important for me not to be circumspect or coy in depicting gay sexuality.

I introduce the protagonist Daniel Garneau when he’s eighteen, and we follow his misadventures in dating and relationships over the next five years. When pitching the manuscript to publishers, I’d compare it to HBO’s Sex and the City, if only to highlight its dramedic tone and candid treatment. While the book’s overall approach is light, the issues it touches upon are not. It’s inspired in part by my own experiences moving to Toronto, and my work as an LGBTQ2S counsellor. David Kingston Yeh:Ī Boy at the Edge of the World is an episodic novel about a young gay man’s exploration of sex, intimacy, and love. Tell us about your new book, and how it came to be. We're excited to welcome David to Open Book today to take our Lucky Seven interview, where we ask writers about their newest books and their writing process.ĭavid tells us about the influence of confessional social media on the book, the process of writing about gay sexuality and learning to reject internalized limitations (he includes a great inspirational quote), and writing as a morning person.

Sharp, witty, and heartfelt, A Boy at the Edge of the World is a smart blend of humour and insight, creating a character and a journey that feels both relatable and fresh.

Young, gay, and optimistic, the teenage hockey player finds himself torn between two very different men, navigating city life, and tumbling down the bumpy paths of self-discovery, first love, and often hilarious misunderstandings. Playwright David Kingston Yeh's debut novel, A Boy at the Edge of the World (Guernica Editions), follows Daniel Garneau, 18 years old, as he moves to Toronto from small-town Ontario.

A Boy at the Edge of the World by David Kingston Yeh