Book review: Hide

THIS debut novel from Matthew Griffin is a deliberately paced, poignant story of two men in love against all the odds. 

Matthew Griffin

Bloomsbury, €19.60; ebook, €11.58

Narrated over a considerable number of years, Hide tells the tale of taxidermist Wendell Wilson and veteran Frank Clifton, who meet after the Second World War in a run-down North Carolina mill town.

Unsurprisingly, due to the climate of the time, the pair are forced to hide their love and live in fear, never exchanging love notes or speaking in public.

Many years later, after the couple have created a home on the outskirts of town, Wendell reflects on the consequences of isolating himself from the world as Frank’s strength and health deteriorate.

Griffin creates a fascinating and raw journey for Frank and Wendell.

Despite some rather gruesome descriptions of taxidermy and a slight feeling of repetition around halfway through, this is quite a remarkable novel. Deeply touching and thought provoking.