First published 2014
A plague strikes the ancient land of Neverÿon, killing men both wealthy and destitute while sparing most women. The disease first emerges from the Bridge of Lost Desire, where male and female prostitutes gather, then spreads rapidly through the port city of Kolhari. No victims recover from the illness. The epidemic transforms Neverÿon's sexual customs and political structures forever. Delany wrote this story in 1984 as the first major American novel addressing the AIDS crisis, weaving together the fantasy narrative with contemporary accounts from New York City's streets during the epidemic's early years. Two additional tales explore the lives of mummers, sex workers, and street dwellers in this fictional realm where ancient and modern elements blend. The collection shows how Kolhari grows increasingly contemporary with each story, reflecting the author's vision of a world caught between historical periods.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, fantasy, 21st-century
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: epic, historical-blending
Setting: Neverÿon, Kolhari, New York City
Period: 1984
ebook · Open Road Media Science & Fantasy
Content warnings: death, sexual-content