
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Winter break serves as a unique time of year where I can prioritize starting new books, and really feel like I have the time and energy to finish them. Over this past break, I found myself completely consumed by Rebecca Makai&#8217;s novel &#8220;The Great Believers&#8221;, and it&#8217;s safe to say this is one of the best books I&#8217;ve read in recent years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This story spans four decades as it follows Yale and Fiona, two complexly interrelated characters. Yale is a gay man navigating relationships and various aspects of his personal and professional life in the midst of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Fiona is the sister of Yale&#8217;s late friend Nico (a victim to AIDS) and struggles with the loss of her brother and his friends throughout the 80&#8217;s. However, her unique plot line follows her to Paris in 2015 as she searches for her estranged daughter.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The traversing of this story across continents and in and out of decades made for an undeniably enthralling read. Throughout the novel, we learn more about Yale through Fiona&#8217;s flashbacks, and more about Fiona and her present life through Yale. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The relationships in this novel is what makes the story so raw and powerful. In a time of tumultuous loss and trauma, the friendships, work relationships and great loves are put to the test; the fragility of human life and the strong will to fight are both explored wonderfully. I think the intimate look at a social circle of vulnerable gay men in 1980&#8217;s Chicago is a unique approach to a defining point in American history that is often overlooked.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Makkai&#8217;s novel has everything: love, loss, plot twists, art, history, and family. There are powerful universal messages that helps the reader resonate with a perhaps un-relatable story. No doubt, anyone can learn a lot from this novel. And if you&#8217;re lucky, like I was, you&#8217;ll come away from this read with a strong emotional response and lots to think about!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cover Photo: The Bibliofile</p>
 <!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->
<div class="wp-biographia-container-top" style="background-color: #FFEAA8; border-top: 4px solid #000000;"><div class="wp-biographia-pic" style="height:100px; width:100px;"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/03dae31bbe55b37bb5926f521fe48417a1d60d4cbe5c319a11237eabdd19bb7a?s=100&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/03dae31bbe55b37bb5926f521fe48417a1d60d4cbe5c319a11237eabdd19bb7a?s=200&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g 2x' class='wp-biographia-avatar avatar-100 photo' height='100' width='100' /></div><div class="wp-biographia-text"><h3>About <a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/rachelwine/" title="Rachel Wine">Rachel Wine</a></h3><p>Rachel Wine is our Editor in Chief and a lover of all things New Orleans! A few of her favorite things include film photography, traveling, and finding new restaurants to try.</p><div class="wp-biographia-links"><small><ul class="wp-biographia-list wp-biographia-list-text"><li><a href="mailto:rwin&#101;&#64;&#116;ul&#97;&#110;e&#46;ed&#117;" target="_self" title="Send Rachel Wine Mail" class="wp-biographia-link-text">Mail</a></li> | <li><a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/rachelwine/" target="_self" title="More Posts By Rachel Wine" class="wp-biographia-link-text">More Posts(24)</a></li></ul></small></div></div></div><!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->

The Crescent Book Club: “The Great Believers”
