by Paula Fox
First published 2001
Liam stands on the beach where he broke his father's kite three years ago and buried the pieces in the sand. That morning marked the moment he discovered the truth about his father. Now his father is dying of AIDS, a reality Liam refuses to accept. The illness forces the family to confront difficult truths about sexuality, infidelity, and the gaps between generations. As his father's condition worsens, Liam struggles with anger, denial, and the weight of family secrets. The approaching death becomes a catalyst that will ultimately help Liam understand his own identity and place in the world. Fox delivers a direct examination of how families navigate crisis, exploring the collision between adolescent expectations and adult realities without softening the emotional impact.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, grief
Setting: Beach
Period: 3 Years Ago
Library Binding · Bt Bound
Content warnings: terminal-illness