WHEN THE HARVEST COMES

A gay man must confront his painful past in this debut novel.

As Norris’ novel opens, Davis Freeman, a Black violist, is eagerly awaiting his upcoming wedding to his white boyfriend, Everett, who works in a wealth management firm. Davis is head-over-heels for his partner: “Everett is anywhere, everywhere, his presence heard and felt with the matter-­of-­factness of air, trees, and water.” The two gather with Everett’s family at a beachside home in Montauk where they’re set to be wed. The ceremony goes well, but during the reception, Davis’ sister tells him that their father—whom they both call “the Reverend,” and from whom Davis has long been estranged—has been in a serious car accident. The Reverend dies, and Davis skips the funeral, finding it difficult to navigate his feelings about the man who reacted with rage on finding out his son was gay. Davis’ struggle affects his marriage to Everett and his relationship with his sister, who has been hiding a secret of her own. This is a novel filled—overfilled—with emotion, and Norris slips into a maudlin register too often; there are also a few unfortunate cliches. (When Davis finds out about his father’s car accident, he drops the champagne flute he’s holding.) Norris’ dialogue is strong, but she seems committed to telling rather than showing; one wishes she would trust the characters to move the story forward with their words. There is no denying this book is bursting with heart, but it reads like a melodrama trying to be a social novel.

A novel brimming with emotion but hamstrung by its sentimentality.