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In Tongues: A Novel Hardcover – May 21, 2024

4.4 out of 5 stars 334 ratings

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Longlisted for the 2024 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by Glamour and one of them's Best LGBTQ+ Books of 2024. RuPaul and Eric Cervini's Allstora Book Club Pick for June.

“A novel that should become the touchstone of a whole generation.” ―Edmund White

It’s 2001, and twenty-four-year-old Gordon―handsome, sensitive, and eager for direction―takes a bus from Minnesota to New York City because it’s the only place for a young gay man to go. As he begins to settle into the city’s punishing rhythm, he gets a job walking rich Manhattanites’ dogs. But it isn’t until he stumbles into the West Village brownstone of two of his clients, the powerful gallery owners Philip and Nicola, that Gordon learns how much the world has hidden from him―and what he’s capable of doing in order to get it for himself.

A lush, heart-quickening novel about family and art, sex and class, and the terror of self-discovery, Thomas Grattan’s
In Tongues chronicles Gordon’s perilous pursuit of belonging from the Midwest to New York and, later, to Europe and Mexico City. As he floats further into Philip and Nicola’s exclusive universe, and as lines blur between employee, muse, lover, and mentor, Gordon’s charm, manipulations, and growing ambition begin to escape his own control, in turn threatening to unravel the lives, and lies, of those around him.

Anchored by winsome lyricism, glinting intellect, and a main character whose yearnings and mistakes come to feel like our own,
In Tongues crackles with fierce longing and pointed emotion, further confirming Thomas Grattan as a rare chronicler of young adulthood’s joys and devastations.

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From the Publisher

Praise for In Tongues: A Novel by Thomas Grattan

In Tongues Thomas Grattan Edmund White quote

In Tongues Thomas Grattan Marie-Helene Bertino quote

In Tongues Thomas Grattan Andrew Holleran quote

In Tongues Thomas Grattan Shannon Carlin quote

In Tongues Thomas Grattan James Tarmy quote

In Tongues Thomas Grattan Patrick Nathan quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A witty picaresque . . . Gordon is a fine creation. With his disarmingly straightforward narrative style, he makes for a convincing and likable hero . . . Writing with economy and comic generosity, Grattan pulls off an amiable, zippy novel that also smuggles in a sharp analysis of family, class and the intergenerational inheritance of gay men." ―Charles Arrowsmith, The Washington Post

"A novel of quest, Gordon in search of remedy for youth’s various ills . . . An elegy for every gay reader rejected by a parent . . . I was happy to see Gordon not simply surviving but thriving. Getting old is bittersweet, but growing up is a relief."
―Rumaan Alam, The New York Times Book Review

"One of the funniest novels in recent memory . . . Grattan’s novel is probably the most entertaining―not to mention cleverest―depiction of the art world (fiction or nonfiction) in quite some time, even if it never directly addresses the art world at all. The rare book that you’ll force yourself to put down just so you can savor it, this will quickly become required reading for New Yorkers and anyone who aspires to become one."
―James Tarmy, Bloomberg

"[A] rollicking sophomore release . . . [a] delightfully modern comedy of manners."
―Shannon Carlin, Time

"Grattan casts early adulthood as a period of inertia, in which a person is trapped between the urge to be present and the desire to move on―a time of life whose outward expressions are, above all, absurd." The New Yorker

"A satisfyingly realistic coming-of-age novel . . . what makes the read worthwhile, especially for a book club, is its focus on our protagonist’s best-friendship with his roommate. It’s these meditations on what it means to be a friend―how we support and fail each other, then eventually make up and grow older together―that ring most true among a novel littered with impersonal sex and a whole lot of class anxiety."
―Jake Henry Smith, Glamour

"In this fine, affecting novel, Grattan's subtle, true portrayals and sharp dialogue make a highly enjoyable read even more so."
―Annie Bostrom, Booklist (starred review)

"Affecting . . . [Gordon] has a memorable voice: funny, dark, and eventually chastened. The novel builds on the self-involved, sometimes cruel protagonists of Edmund White’s early work, though Gordon learns to rein himself in instead of committing more mayhem. This story of a miscreant who grows up will stick with you long after the last page."
Kirkus (starred review)

"[An] impressive sophomore novel . . . In the author’s skilled hands, Gordon’s bad judgment and sentimental education make for terrific reading."
Publishers Weekly

"At first,
In Tongues reads like a comedy of manners―a cute young man moves to Manhattan and takes a job as a dog walker/assistant to two older men from the art world. But then we watch the sexual, ethical, and monetary inequality turn dark. Thomas Grattan is a master of plot―that rare ability―which makes In Tongues a real roller coaster: funny, sad, shocking, and, finally, quite moving." ―Andrew Holleran, author of Dancer from the Dance and The Kingdom of Sand

"Funny, touching, and authentic,
In Tongues is about trying to survive in a declining society, a novel that should become the touchstone of a whole generation." ―Edmund White

“Uncommonly vulnerable,
In Tongues is a witty exposition of what ails all of us. Thomas Grattan does away with any false neutrality by detailing the raunchy violence of ambition. This is an excellent novel that sifts through the detritus of life and gives it vibrant meaning.” ―Zain Khalid, author of Brother Alive

"
In Tongues contains one of my favorite kinds of plots; the interlude that changed me forever. Thomas Grattan masterfully elucidates the life of an elegant hero--shattering friendships, sudden lovers, surprising moments of grace. Reading In Tongues felt like a deliciously banal and dangerous afternoon I never wanted to end. I love this beautiful, horny, honest, glamorous novel." ―Marie-Helene Bertino, author of Beautyland

"Thomas Grattan has written a rare beauty of a novel, both thrillingly sexy and heartbreakingly human. His gift as a writer lies in his ability to reach deep into the messy flesh of his characters and extract all the awkward, barbed parts of them that make them feel so alive. With
In Tongues, Grattan brings fresh wit and insight to the beloved gay, New York, coming-of-age novel. If you don’t see yourself in these pages, good luck to you." ―Christopher Bollen, author of The Lost Americans

About the Author

Thomas Grattan is the author of the novel The Recent East, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, longlisted for the 2021 PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, and named a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice. His writing has appeared in several publications, including The New York Times Book Review, One Story, Slice, and The Colorado Review. He has an MFA in Fiction Writing from Brooklyn College and has taught middle school English for more than a decade. He lives in upstate New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MCD (May 21, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374608180
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374608187
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 334 ratings

About the author

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Thomas Grattan
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Thomas Grattan's short fiction has appeared in several publications, including One Story, Slice, and The Colorado Review, has been shortlisted for a Pushcart Prize, and was listed as a notable stories in Best American Short Stories. He has an MFA in Fiction Writing from Brooklyn College and has taught middle school English for more than a decade. He lives in New York City. The Recent East is his first novel.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
334 global ratings

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Customers find the book engaging, with one describing it as a real page turner. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the author's decent writing skills.

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4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with one describing it as a real page turner.

"...Gordon was always well meaning in his own way. This author is great and I also enjoyed his last work the Near East...." Read more

"...Truly tremendous." Read more

"wonderful...." Read more

"Great Read..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.

"This book was human, raw, complex and emotional, yet easy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more

"This book is easy to read and goes so fast. I really didn't want it to end. I can identify with the character." Read more

"...The writing is passable and occasionally amusing, but the characters lack depth and the narrative goes nowhere...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    This was a real page turner for me, couldn’t put it down for long. Gordon the main character went through many trials and tribulations finding his own way in getting away from family and entering his early adult life with no help from anyone. His on again off again relationship with his parents was disappointing on their part and his father especially was a ‘real piece of work’! A queer couple he works for like him a lot but end up showing no forgiveness for a few mistakes. Gordon was always well meaning in his own way. This author is great and I also enjoyed his last work the Near East. Gordon’s best friend is terrific and stays with him through the end of the book. I can see why the book has received many accolades.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
    I don’t know why this book is titled so irrelevantly or has such a weird cover. It has barely anything (nothing) to do with dogs or tongues. Despite that, it’s a good read. Sympathetic characters and reasonable closure to stories. I feel like one more chapter to wrap up the final story would have been great. The main character, albeit a bit sad, is likable, as are all the others. Details the life of a young, gay man who ends up in NYC, and develops into a new life. I found it compelling, and a good read. A little more exciting in the romances would have been great, too.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
    This book was human, raw, complex and emotional, yet easy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a gay man, so many themes resonated with me in a profound way.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
    This book is easy to read and goes so fast. I really didn't want it to end. I can identify with the character.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
    A recent cultural critic I adore posted this book with the caption “This is the book hot gays are going to be holding around New York.”
    Two more people I follow posted about it that week.
    I ordered.

    Throughout the rather short page count, the story of Gordon’s hunt for attention, in superficial and meaningful ways, left me gutted. The quips placed throughout helped soften the blow, but as I type this having finished a few hours ago, I feel different. Not that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but instead shifted to allow myself to re-examine what is the weight’s purpose.

    An erotic, messy, gay protagonist who is unapologetically an erotic, messy gay.

    Truly tremendous.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
    Gotta say, I just LOVE an unlikable and semi-unreliable narrator.

    Finished this wildly quick and have been recommending it to everyone. Right up my street; queer, fast paced, funny, a little dark, and intensely honest.

    Well written and smart.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
    In Tongues by Thomas Grattan follows Gordon, a gay man who decides on a whim to move to New York City, despite having no connections, ambitions, or financial support. There, he allows himself to be swept into an assistant position for a wealthy gay couple, where he must navigate the socially treacherous position of his employment that may or may not have nebulous and hidden strings attached.

    This book takes place at the time of the September 11 attacks, but the tragedy sends only the slightest of ripples into Gordon’s circle. His life is a series of smaller, poignant tragedies; he cannot quite seem to harden himself against the world’s casual cruelties, even if he seems aware of their existence. He meets the world with an outward bravado that fools no one as he clumsily stumbles toward human connection, only to be tripped up by society’s phoniness and his own self-destructive tendencies.

    Grattan evokes the contours of Gordon’s life with deliciously precise language that lies somewhere between witty and poetic. Although permeated with a bewilderment at life that alternates between the melancholic and angry, In Tongues manages to deliver a sort of bittersweet hope: it may not ever “get better” as the queer nonprofit slogan promises, but the wisdom that comes from weathering painful experiences holds its own worth.

    TL;DR: In Tongues by Thomas Grattan is an intimate, sharply written character study of a lonely and sometimes self-destructive gay man who must navigate the bewildering and frequently cruel landscape of interpersonal relationships.

    You might like In Tongues if you like . . .
    • Slow-paced, character-focused literary fiction
    • Themes of social alienation, queer identity, and complicated family relationships
    • Stories that dwell in the darker, melancholy side of the human experience
    • The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
    • Books that take place in the early 2000s
    • Messy and frustrating main characters
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    I bought this based on the positive reviews only to find that the story is quite poor. The writing is passable and occasionally amusing, but the characters lack depth and the narrative goes nowhere. I finished it hoping for some revelation in the final pages that somehow ties the story together. But there is not. It’s too bad. The author is a decent writer, but apparently has nothing of note to say.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Tiago De Santos
    5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable, relatable, but I craved more.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2024
    I really enjoyed In Tongues. Even reading it in 2024, it struck a relatable chord. The plot is well-crafted, realistic, and holds together beautifully, and the characters are genuinely likable and easy to get to know.

    That said, I do have one small gripe—though it might just be a bias after a steady year of reading mostly André Aciman. I found myself wanting a little more: more of Gordon’s inner world, his reflections and private conversations with himself. The story moves at a quick pace, which I know a lot of people prefer, but I missed that deeper, slower dive into his thoughts and feelings, the kind of lyrical prose that lingers a bit longer.

    Still, I’m really glad I read it, and I’d absolutely recommend it.