Following on from One Last Song-Evans' debut novella about queer elders-his debut short story collection journeys the other end of the rainbow spectrum, and will be published in February 2025 to mark LGBTQ+ History Month. In nine stories spanning from the end of the twentieth century to the end of the world as we know it, he explores our youthful years through a character of each of the ages between sixteen and twenty-four-ages oft tick-boxed together. Set in shiny cities, stuffy universities and other alternative universes, they explore issues from class to climate-crisis and chemsex with tenderness, humour and inventiveness.
"original, compelling and cleverly crafted" - Jon Ransom
"A wonderful collection of bildungsroman stories, full of vibrant characters finding their place in a jaded world. Evans beautifully captures the steep learning curve of each young protagonist, characters who must traverse religious, social, political and sexual dilemmas in order to discover who they really are. Evans is not afraid to play with voice and structure, making this a smart, insightful collection, where every story sparkles with rich, engaging prose and the perfect balance of humour and poignancy. All the Young Queers an absolute joy to read! " - Kathy Hoyle
"An astonishingly accomplished range of stories, beautifully written, taking in everything from first love to chemsex, set in the recent past, among the hallowed walls of academia and even in other worlds. Tales steeped in nostalgia, politics and a groundswell of change. A masterful blending of periods, politics and formats, including stories written in text messages and court documents. I laughed, I cried, I nodded my head in recognition. I felt seen." - Iqbal Hussain
"An enchanting romance-funny, touching and inspiring." - Stephen Fry on One Last Song
"It's very funny, very touching and has the absolute ring of truth about it. One can't but fall in love with these two more or less impossible people, as they fall in love with each other." - Simon Callow on One Last Song
"Adored this book and couldn't put it down. An unapologetically queer love story set in a care home. Touching. Heartwarming. Funny. Sad. Beautifully drawn characters I wanted to spend more time with. It was over too quickly for me. Joan and Jim, and their burgeoning relationship will stay with me for a long time. I loved it." - Jonathan Harvey on One Last Song
"One Last Song is a necessary love story, both profoundly moving and profoundly optimistic. It will inevitably infiltrate your heart." - Martin Sherman
"A warm, joyful and ingenious tale of gay love from the UK's Armistead Maupin." - Joelle Taylor on One Last Song
"When we forget our gay elders and the radical queer people who lived so we could fly, we forget ourselves. Nathan Evans has not just remembered these elder angels, he has painted them with humour, love, truth and glory. This is a gem of a novella with characters to cherish." - Adam Zmith on One Last Song
"One Last Song is a beautiful, smouldering, hilarious and sparkling testament to queer intimacy and the revolutionary potency of queer creative activism. Every page filled my heart with Pride." - Dan Glass
"One Last Song is edgy, funny and moving. A heady mix that packs an emotional punch.' - Paul McVeigh
"Touching, powerful, punchy, funny and sweet. An absolute delight." - David Shannon on One Last Song
