To Never See Heaven opens with the protagonist, Antony Shrader, agonizing over his decision to write a commencement speech traditionally given by his husband. This year is different. His lover is dying. In order to bring himself to do this speech, Antony must look back at the pages of his own life that have brought him to fulfill this duty. After all, a commencement is not the end. It is the beginning.

 

Antony’s story begins as a gay teenager born into privilege. However, Antony’s sensitive nature and unresolved traumas had convinced him that he had lived a past life as a suffering poet. He believed that the inevitable separation from his family and their elitist world was his chance to redeem himself from beyond a world he knew. Antony could not shake these feelings of his fated doom and loneliness. To escape this void, he would flee to study in Paris, either to rise to the true destiny of his life or to lay down his body where he felt the true origins of his spirit had been conceived. There, Antony would fall in love, but while his heart and mind flourished in Paris, his body and spirit would succumb to addiction; the demons of his past life came to haunt him. In the process of trying to outrun himself, his fall into the darkness inevitably brings him to humility and true healing. There he found what he had needed most, his own love and acceptance.

 

Reviews

"The story takes you on a path of the main characters journey to self-realization. The authors writing style engages the reader from beginning to end. You won’t want to put the book down!"

Cheryl Staal

"Greatly enjoyed this book - made me consider things I had not previously as a straight person. Vivid use of detail to make scenes feel real and a unique literary style."

Bayley Guy

 

"This book opened my eyes to current lgbtq issues with a new fresh insight. Truly a great read. His colorful prose make me want to turn the page."

Hillary Hamilton

 

"First off, be prepared to deal with your own traumas as the main character in this book goes through a lot! Coming from someone who is not LGBTQ, there was still so many relatable parts of the story, but also such an eye opener from the perspective of someone who loves another person of the same sex. It was a page turner from the beginning, with lots of tears throughout. I will recommend this book to anyone who can handle it (meaning, I warned my innocent mom...she may be a bit surprised by the language and events), but nonetheless I personally loved it!!!"

Valerie Ramos

 

"Garland’s book makes me want to read, think and then come back to it. The storytelling was impeccable, drawing me into the narrative effortlessly. A must read. His writing is a gift a truly eloquent writer."

Erica Cervetto

 

"The book offers a mix of comedy, tragedy, and most importantly, hope. It reads like a movie- great descriptions with witty dialogue. I highly recommend!"

Katie Butman

 

"I sat down with this book, and I must say this story, will keep you reading. What an amazing story, I really enjoyed it"

Connie L Kinder

 

"This novel has resurrected the art in literature! Garland's writing style is poetic and philosophical, while still grounded in a realistic narrative - a combination I have yet to see anywhere else in contemporary literature. His descriptions make for tactile and vivid visuals- his words literally paint the mind. This book offers plenty of shock value, but it's also layered with comedy to help the reader digest the uncomfortable topics Garland bravely navigates. His protagonist is very flawed, but the reader cannot help but root for him and try to better understand him. And to maybe understand themselves better along the way as well…"

Sara Gillogley

 

 

 

The Violets Beneath