Books
WORDS: BEN KELLY
WHAT BELONGS TO YOU
GARTH GREENWELL/FARRAR, STRAUS AND GIROUX
What Belongs to You is a debut novel which has arrived with considerable excitement and critical praise. Garth Greenwell – described as one of America’s most exciting young writers – expresses himself beautifully, as he details the experience of an American teacher and a Bulgarian hustler living in Sofia.
The novel moves beyond an initial transaction between the pair to explore a more complicated relationship between the older teacher, and the younger Mitko. There is a desperation in both of them – which gay readers will recognise – and as the balance of reliance and vulnerability shifts between them, it’s reminiscent of Robin Campillo’s 2014 film Eastern Boys; with equal amounts of dangerous eroticism.