I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this after being such a huge fan of Schrefer's previous book, The Darkness Outside Us. And, to be clear, this is absolutely the exact opposite of that in almost every way possible, though no less infuriating and haunting in its own way.

Charming Young Man follows the (kind of true) story of Léon Delafosse in late-1800s France, a piano prodigy studying at the Paris Conservatory after moving from the countryside with his mother and sister. Whereas the rest of his peers seem to float through life on their riches and family name, Léon must fight for every single opportunity he gets - until a chance encounter with gossip columnist Marcel Proust introduces him to high society, queer life, and the chance to be sponsored by the eccentric Count de Montesquiou. It's a complicated balancing act, especially when all he might really long for is the chance to return to his home in the countryside and a boy he thinks of every time he plays.

Schrefer has taken on an interesting task in his writing of "Charming Young Man," writing about a historical figure that interestingly little is known about outside of his teenage years, letters exchanges with friends-turned-enemies, and a portrait by a famous artist. It's a story that, in many ways, has an obligatory conclusion already written in. But Schrefer does such amazing work in how he gets there! Léon's anxieties and awkwardness as a young man unused to the intricacies of high society, trying to play a game that he has no interest in to survive while discovering his sexuality and who he is as a person during a very interesting time in Paris history when men were both allowed to be very open about their identities and yet not at all depending on their stations and privileges.

The entire story of Léon and his heartbreakingly innocent worldview in a society that just wants to devour him is so haunting - a particular strength of Schrefer's to get right to the heart of human motivations and crush you with the realizations. At this point, I think I will read anything he chooses to write!

I liked this story overall. I loved Schrefer's previous book, The Darkness Outside Us, but this one just didn't hit the same for me. I liked the main character and I thought the story was interesting, but for me the ending was sort of rushed and unsatisfying. It felt like Leon, our Charming Young Man, was finally exploring his sexuality a bit just to be punished for doing so the whole time. I get that it's a historical fiction story, but I felt there needed to be some uplift at least, and I guess we got some of that in the epilogue, but not quite enough to satisfy me.

I still look forward to Eliot Schrefer's future books even though this one wasn't quite for me. I love his writing and his stories are always interesting, so I look forward to future projects from him!

I have to admit that after reading The Darkness Outside Us, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this. They are almost opposites in all regards, but they have a similar heart to them thanks to Schrefer. I didn't know who Léon Delafosse was based on name alone, but I was eager to learn more about this young man through the author's lense. He comes across as a soft and somewhat innocent young man, struggling to navigate the waters of French high society at his time. This book is equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking and at times and I really feel for Léon and everything he did to make his career as successful as he could.

Now, I am aware that the author took certain liberties with history, but honestly, if the historical resources aren't there... they just aren't there. I will say, whenever the Sargent painting was brought up I immediately knew which painting they were referring to. My very expensive art history degree is finally paying off, but you do not need one to truly enjoy this book.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction when merged with LGBTQ+ stories, bittersweet stories, and stories about wiggling your way through high society. I don't want to say to much about the ending, but I would consider it to be a happy one, even if it doesn't work out quite the way you think or hope that it would. I hope that Schrefer continues to write such beautiful stories and I can't wait to read them!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Eliot blew me away with The Darkness Outside Us. I think that most people did a double take to see his name pop up again on such a different book.

Charming Young Man was both beautiful and infuriating. We follow Léon, who wants to become the next big pianist. He travels to Paris with his family in hopes of making it big. He hates being poor and strives to live like a French socialite. In the back of his mind, he can’t get over his childhood friend Felix that he left behind. They exchange letters frequently and Léon still thinks about him constantly.

This was a slow paced and quiet book. There isn’t a lot of action like Eliot’s last book. We just get a boy trying to move up in high society and chase his dreams.

This book crushed my heart. All the bad things that kept happening to Lèon made me want to cry. The epilogue made it all worth it. I usually hate the “sometimes what you needed is not what you wanted” and the “what you wanted was in front of you” the whole time cliches, but this was a sweet book that was a very quick read.

Eliog Schrefer is back with his typical strong prose and lovable queer characters. Though I wasn't as blown away by Charming Young Man as I was The Darkness Between Us, I think this book will find a strong readership with fans historical romance, especially those looking for more LGBTQ representation in the genre.

The writing is lovely. I especially loved the historical detail and the way readers can connect to the protagonist.

I will never not love a good historical fiction story. Even more when it’s queer. Even if it is fictional I feel like I’m taking a look into the past. Swishing my long skirts and walking along cobblestones. This book took me there and it was an interesting journey to be in 1890’s Paris.

The first half of the story kept my interest but it was hard to understand where exactly the journey was going. Léons emotions sometimes felt contradictory and it left me confused as to what he actually wanted. His relationships sometimes felt a little underdeveloped and maybe that was a part of my confusion in the first half.

Overall, I liked the rest of the story. I didn’t understand the music comments but I was happily nodding along like I knew what it meant. The high society aspects were done well and I am always a big fan of hating the historical rich. I highly recommend reading the authors note, it made me appreciate the story even more.

Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books & Eliot Schrefer for providing me with an eARC of Charming Young Man for review.

I enjoyed this book and I enjoyed Leon so much. The dream of a better life in your fingertips but love, romance and politics getting in the way. Robert is so extremely uppity that he captures the essence of a trust fund baby. Which is wonderful to contrast against Leon. I think that the book is wonderfully written, the story is tight and the characters deliver for me - even down to the flower vendor. Bless.

I think that what I loved the most was the historical components of this story. The idea of queerness being buried in history and hidden away by not only queer people at the time - presumably for their safety - but also by historians, is so compelling to me.

I was particularly swept up in the historical references to Paris whilst travelling in France. The author's note is beautiful and I love how this story came to be. I hope that our real-life Leon had a happy ending.

Now this brings me to part of the problem. Maybe I am just so swept up in the real life version of this tale that I have lost any objectivity and it is just an average book. I don't think it is an average book, but I just wanted to acknowledge that I have been thinking about Leon and his painting for the last week and I might be too obsessed.

Real Rating: 3.5/5 rounded down.


I really wanted to read this because "The Darkness Outside Us" was one of my absolute favourite reads from this author and this year, so I knew I had to check "Charming Young Man" out. Unfortunately, while I did like lots of aspects of this book, I was just a little disappointed overall, but I still did enjoy myself throughout with the parts I did like.


I did like the premise of the book. I know this story was based on real people and a painting the author saw in a museum too. The author's note did make me appreciate the story even more actually with the backstory of Leon and how much time and effort he put into researching. I loved the queer representation, how it fit into the time period and the liberties the author took in creating the backstory for these characters.


The story did take a minute for me to pick up, I did not really get that into it until like 150 pages into the story when the birthday party happened, so I was kind of struggling a bit to finish even though this technically was a quick read. After that hump I did start to get more into it. I felt at times in the beginning the book wasn't really going anywhere, things were happening, but it was reading like a slice of life, which is fine, but it definitely did drag for me. The pacing and dialogue seemed off at times which threw me off a bit, but overall, this was a decent read and the events at the end made me mad and hurt for Leon in the best way, and the epilogue while it was short, it tied up the story well.



Thank you to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I expected to love Charming Young Man because I've enjoyed Schrefer's previous work. However, I never expected to adore it quite this much. This was a beautiful, queer coming-of-age story set amidst the backdrop of 1890s France. Unsurprisingly, the writing was beautiful, and I was transported alongside Léon to the glamorous high society scene of Paris with its fabulous salons and glamorous parties.

While Charming Young Man had an interesting plot about Léon's attempt to secure a place as a renowned pianist, the focus was largely on his struggle with coming to terms with his sexuality and figuring out where he belonged. Léon was awkward, shy, and battling shame about his interest in other men. His journey was an emotional one, and I truly felt like I knew him by the end of the story. I especially loved the scenes of him playing the piano because of how he equated each piece with a memory or a feeling, which allowed the reader to experience the soul of the music and some of Léon's inner world. The writing of those moments was superb.

Léon had several relationships/situationships in Charming Young Man, but I definitely wouldn't classify this book as a romance. As he navigated Paris society, he attracted the attention of people who wanted to take advantage of his talent for their own gain, but they also helped him better understand his attraction toward men. For example, his interactions with Marcel Proust and Count Robert de Montesquiou-Fézensac helped him understand that his sexuality was a valid part of his identity rather than just a perverted behavior to be excised at all costs. Their depictions left me super fascinated by these people, and I have already picked up a book written by Proust, which I'm excited to read.

Despite not being a romance per se, Charming Young Man did have a central relationship that I absolutely loved. Léon had such a beautiful thing with his best friend Félix. Their relationship was such an easy one, and I felt the depth of their connection despite them only having a couple of scenes together. The author accomplished this by interspersing letters between the two throughout the text, along with making Félix a staple of Léon's thoughts about home. The entire time, I wanted them to end up together, even though it seemed like that would only be possible if Léon gave up his dream.

Charming Young Man explored so many different themes. In particular, it examined the intersection of class and sexuality during this time period. Léon's experience was starkly different from the other men in Paris. The upper classes had the freedom to explore artistic and sexual pursuits that the poor, rural people did not, at least not without risking everything in the process. Léon struggled to maintain a place and often had to do things outside of his comfort zone to 'make it,' even though all he wanted was to focus on his music. I also appreciated how the story highlighted individuals who flouted the gender norms of the time. However, they were also largely afforded that privilege due to their class.

Overall, Charming Young Man was another fantastic novel by Eliot Schrefer. If you enjoy historical fiction that centers queer people and their experiences, this is a book you don't want to miss. I particularly loved that the story was inspired by the author's reaction to a painting of the real life Léon. I now really hope to see the portrait in person myself one day. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I am honored to share my praise for 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙖𝙣 by Eliot Schrefer, coming out October 10th. ★★★★✬ 4.5/5
Yes! THAT @schrefer, author of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙐𝙨, although this has much different pace and tone.

This is the story of Léon Delafosse in 1890, a young piano virtuoso from the country who moved to study at the prestigious Paris Conservatory with his mother and sister.  He places alot of pressure on himself to provide for his family, perhaps at the expense of what he really wants.  His journy to make a name for himself, leads him into the halls and palors of Paris' High Society - with unwritten rules and ettiquite he was never taught.  Along the way he befriends a young gossip columnist, Marcel Proust, and eccentric Count Robert de Montesquiou - but are their intentions with him selfless or selfish?

Along the way, we also learn about his childhood friend and muse, Felix, which you can't help but love even before we meet him for the first time.

Eliot is a gifted writer, filling his work full of nuance and imagery, painting the picture of Belle Époque France.  Leon was so authentically written as a lost and innocent boy, discovering his queer identify and place between two societies when he fits in neither - his boyhood rural home or Paris' "high" society.

"𝙷𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎."

"𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚒𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎; 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚏 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝."

This is looosely inspired on real individuals but otherwise fictional.  Léon, Marcus, Robert were all real - although their true stories and relationship to each other have been lost to time...  Eliot shared in the author's note that this story was imagined after spending time viewing a Portrait of Léon Delafosse by John Singer Sargent (1895) - imagining his life and story.  Make sure to read the note at the end to learn more. (and if you're like me... deep dive into the Wikipedia rabbit hole)

Thanks to @harpercollins, @harpercollinsch and @netgalley for a chance to early review this story in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an interesting queer historical YA book about Léon Delafosse, a young pianist who was predicted to become the next big thing in 1890s Paris. Léon needs the help of a patron in order to be able to afford to live and also create opportunities in society for him to play. It was compelling watching Léon befriend Marcel Proust and Count Robert de Montesquiou-Fézensac and seeing the romantic feelings that also arose.

The location and time period of the story really came to life through Eliot Schrefer’s writing. Having Léon be new in the higher society settings provided an interesting look into the world. I enjoyed getting to see Léon’s journey with understanding his queerness and desires in a time when there was far less understanding or access to information than there is today.

I was expecting there to be far more of a focus on Léon’s career as a pianist. There are times when he practices or plays shows, but I felt like that aspect of the story faded too much into the background and it was just about society. Also, I felt like the conflict at the end was really rushed. But I did like how the story wrapped up in the epilogue, I would’ve liked to see even more of it.

Overall I had a great time reading this book. It provided an interesting story that I haven’t seen much of before in YA. Definitely check it out if it sounds interesting to you!

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Eliot Schrefer presents his newest novel, Charming Young Man, a YA historical fiction following the imagined life of Leon Delafosse. Leon was a piano prodigy in late 19th century France, who, at one point, was meant to be the next Mozart. Schrefer's story is a coming-of-age in part, following Leon as he leaves the poverty of his farming hometown and enters the conservatory in Paris to study piano. Leon grapples with social climbing and the need to secure a patron even as he is beginning to realize and explore more about his sexuality.

Schrefer goes more into the historical facts of Leon's life in his author's note, whereupon Leon tends to be a "side character" in the lives of famous figures including Count Robert de Montesquiou and Marcel Proust. I was grateful for the author's note in giving historical context, but also found that it made Schrefer's novel more impressive for its inclusion.

Schrefer was sensitive to the historical context of sexuality in the 1890's while also doing a solid job of avoiding placing modern interpretation of sexuality on those historical figures. I was not previously aware of Leon Delafosse, and was grateful for the opportunity to meet him first as Schrefer's character. Leon is a character that is easy to root for and easy to have emotional investment in, mostly due to Schrefer's attention to character development based on the limited historical context we have for his life.

I overall enjoyed my time with this book, bittersweet as the story had to be, and am happy to say that I would be interested in reading more about Leon in historical record based off of Schrefer's work.

While this was a beautifully written coming-of-age and understated romance novel, I felt myself losing interest (maybe because I wasn't particularly in the mood for something historical, although Eliot absolutely took liberties with Leon's life to make it entertaining! I just struggled to get through it.)

I felt the romance between Leon and his hometown best friend Felix was a quiet romance, which I adore, especially for teens/young adults! It feels so authentic and Eliot wrote the longing so well! <3

I will continue to read from Eliot in the future, and this book was sweet, but just not my favorite!

Eliot Schrefer's "Charming Young Man" is a poignant and powerful exploration of identity, transformation, and the search for belonging that will resonate deeply with readers. This novel is a captivating journey that lingers in the heart and mind.

"Charming Young Man" has richly drawn characters, particularly the complex protagonist. Schrefer's portrayal of this character's journey of self-discovery is moving and thought-provoking. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in his transformation and the profound questions it raises about identity and authenticity.

Schrefer's prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a world that is at once familiar and charming. His descriptive language brings the settings to life, from the bustling streets of New York to the lush landscapes of the tropics, creating an atmospheric richness.

"Charming Young Man" explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the desire to belong. It reveals the complexities of personal transformation and the sacrifices that come with it. Schrefer's narrative raises profound questions about the masks we wear and the lengths we go to in order to fit into society's expectations, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery.

The novel's exploration of cultural and social contexts is insightful and relevant. Schrefer weaves these elements into the narrative, offering readers a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the characters. The book's portrayal of the clash between tradition and modernity adds layers of complexity.

"Charming Young Man" sheds light on the human condition. Schrefer's storytelling skill serves as a bridge between different worlds, inviting readers to step into the shoes of the characters and experience their struggles and triumphs. It is a book that fosters empathy and understanding.

In a literary landscape filled with coming-of-age stories, "Charming Young Man" stands out as a profoundly moving and intellectually stimulating work. It challenges conventions and invites readers to grapple with complex themes while immersing them in a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

"Charming Young Man" will leave readers deeply moved and intellectually engaged. It is a book that not only entertains but also inspires contemplation on the intricacies of identity, transformation, and the search for authenticity.

(Posted to Goodreads)

This beautiful book managed to fill my heart, rip it right out of my chest, and then begin to piece it back together again. The Darkness Outside Us was my top book of last year, so I went into this with high expectations. I was not disappointed. Eliot's Schrefer's top tier writing style (the sentences and descriptions are just so lovely) shines through here, just like in TDOU, but in a very different way. I would say that TDOU is very plot driven, while Charming Young Man is more of a character study linked together with events. The details of these specific events are kept to a minimum and progress in a very condensed way, but I think that is one of the best qualities of this book. It takes a good writer to hold attention on exploring characters versus taking them through a twisting and turning plot, and this book captivated me all the way through. I was very much glued to these pages, relishing in these very flawed, very real characters.

Our protagonist, 17 year old Léon Delafosse, is a gifted young pianist in 19th century France trying to navigate his way through Parisian high society while pursuing his passion for music. Equally significant, he attempts to find his way in the world as a queer person in a society where living outside the "norm" is highly stigmatized and scandalized. His life becomes entangled with Marcel Proust, a gossip columnist trying to climb the society ladder, and Count Robert de Montesquiou-Fézensac, a wealthy, eccentric young man who has both a very vulnerable side and a cold, cruel one. Their motivations for their involvement in Léon's life unfold throughout the book, and boy is it a wild ride.

And then there's Félix, Léon's best friend, who we mostly see through beautiful glimpses of Léon's memories and daydreams as well as letter exchanges between the two. The way Léon plays his music, fueled by thoughts of Félix, gives this book even more heart. We as readers see their relationship through these moments, despite the two of them being separated by distance most of the time.

This book is all about Léon's journeys; through high society, through searching for where "home" is, and through discovering his true self and how to remain authentic in a world that punishes that authenticity. It's all pieced together so well. The pacing is a bit unconventional. Some moments are slow while others move very quickly. Many moments happen off the page altogether. But I never found it to be jarring or distracting. Once I began reading, I became acclimated to the ebbs and flows.

This book is marketed as YA, but I think that it also appeals very well to an adult audience (I felt this way about TDOU as well). The characters are messy, flawed, and real, as are their relationships. Their complexity is not sanitized. Despite Léon being only 17, he is thrust into mature stakes and circumstances.

This book is based on real people, as explained in the Author's Note, but many artistic and creative liberties are taken. The author acknowledges this very clearly. It's easy to villainize some of these characters and their actions, but because they're written in such a three-dimensional way, it makes the story feel more whole and complete.

The one thing I was left really yearning for when I finished was just a little more on-page time between Léon and Félix. I could envision and fill in the gaps, especially regarding a significant conversation I assume would have taken place, but I would have loved to see that moment unfold. But I can acknowledge that just because I want something on the page doesn't mean that it necessarily should be there. The pacing is already so careful crafted that I'm not sure if what I wanted to read in more detail would have flowed as well.

Overall, the authenticity of Léon is so clear, especially his exploration and struggles with sexuality. This is one of those books that I wish I had growing up as a queer person, constantly questioning and grappling with my identity. Thank you, Eliot Schrefer, for writing this book with such an honest voice and with so much care.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I look forward to buying a physical copy when the book is released!

Oh wow. I was so excited when I got this arc mostly because I am a HUGE fan of Eliot Schrefer. The Darkness Outside Us is quite possibly maybe my favorite book of all time. It’s my personality.

Although the tone for this was obviously quite different, the love encased in the writing is still there. Eliot is such a gifted writer and he imbues his character with soooo much depth. I’m not familiar with this time period at all but I was swept away with the writing.

Léon and Felix made me feel quite a lot. The romance here was understated and gentle. Lots of yearning and although separated by distance, they return to one another often. I am glad they Léon found belonging and I always love when I feel that way about a character at the end of a novel. I wouldn’t call this a romance just like I wouldn’t call The Darkness Outside Us a romance at its core. As other reviewers have said, they’re impossible to compare. But I enjoyed this just as well but in a different way. Elliot is definitely a “go to” writer for me when I want to ~feel something.

Léon Delafosse is supposed to be France’s next great pianist. He’s the youngest student ever accepted into the Paris Conservatory, and has been studying for years. However, in 1890s Paris, it’s nearly impossible to make it as any kind of artist without a patron.

Enter Marcel Proust, a young gossip columnist who takes an interest in Léon. He takes him under his wing and introduces him to the right people. So, when Count Robert de Montesquiou-Fézensac offers Léon patronage, he immediately accepts. But as Léon gets closer to his dreams, he realizes he’s getting further away from his original country roots. And thus, further away from Felix, the boy he might just love.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer to review! Schrefer seems to be excellent at writing characters who seem to find themselves in impossible situations. Moving from sci-fi to historical fiction might be an odd jump, but Schrefer has shown that he can masterfully write in both genres.

In the author’s note, Schrefer explains that he was interested in the story of Léon Delafosse after seeing his painting in a museum. After learning that Léon and Robert had a falling out, he was inspired to write this story. Not a lot of YA historical fiction is set during this particular time period, so it really was a breath of fresh air in that aspect. Even though I am no historical expert, the story felt well-researched and realistic for the time period he is portraying.

This book is generally more of a character driven story, showing more of what life could have been like in this time period for those that are queer. It’s a bit slow moving, focusing on Léon and the way he’s moving about society. The writing style also sort of fits with the kind of things that would have been written at that time, which helps to pull you into the story even more.

However, it is quite a short book, so it almost feels like maybe it was over a bit too soon. For the most part, this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of it, but it could have been fun to see more of an expansion of some of the background characters.

All in all, if you like historical drama, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!

Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer captivates readers with its portrayal of Léon Delafosse's journey, drawing them into his world effortlessly.

Schrefer gifts us a fictional narrative that delves into the life of France's prodigious piano talent, Léon Delafosse. From his acceptance into the prestigious Paris Conservatory at the tender age of six, the story fast-forwards a few years to unveil Léon's struggles in sourcing a sponsor to sustain his tuition payments. Léon’s life takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of Marcel, a social events writer whose interactions intersect with Léon's aspirations. In order to keep climbing the social ladder Marcel introduces Léon to Robert, a figure wielding the potential to propel him to the zenith of high society or to end his starting career with the snap of his fingers.

Schrefer's skill in character introduction allows readers to quickly form opinions about the characters, with a few lines of dialogue from even the smallest characters, you instantly feel like you know them. The author maintains a realistic narrative, avoiding extreme events and unnecessary risks for the protagonist. While the story's pace slows at times to explore Léon's emotions, the climax feels sudden, and more depth to Robert's character would have enriched the ending.

Charming Young Man is a beautiful and memorable tale, showcasing a different side of Schrefer's writing compared to his previous work, The Darkness Outside Us. I recommend it with 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Tegan books for the eARC of <i>Charming Young Man</i>. All opinions are my own.

If you love the Moulin Rouge-era of Paris, the lushness of rich Parisians, the hard truth of the life of the underclasses, and just the general artistic mayhem all of that setting conjures, <i>Charming Young Man</i> by Eliot Schrefer is the story of a down-and-out pianist trying to socially climb his way into the favor of the upper class. Along the way he confronts truths about himself and his own life, and whether living genuinely is worth the risks and the sacrifices.

This novel is a lot of fun for history and literary history nerds. None other than Marcel Proust, the madeleine lover himself, plays a prominent role in Leon's up and coming place in Parisian high society, alongside such luminaries as actress Sarah Bernhardt, and painter John Singer Sargent (one of my personal favorite characters in the book and painters in real life). The prose is engaging (I think I read it in two days!), and you can't help but be invested in the story of Leon, a poor piano prodigy looking for a patron to secure funding for the rest of his musical education. The reader feels like they're getting their own glimpse into the lives of Paris's rich and famous at the <i>fin de siecle</i>, a time period known for its rich artistic, cultural, and political movements.

If you love queer historical fiction, give this one a read.