Box Hill (novel)
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| Author | Adam Mars-Jones |
|---|---|
| Genre | Literary fiction • LGBTQ literature |
| Set in | 1975 London |
| Publisher | New Directions Publishing Corporation |
Publication date | 1 September 2020 |
| Pages | 112 |
| ISBN | 9780811230056 |
Box Hill, subtitled A Story of Low Self-Esteem, is a 2020 novella by Adam Mars-Jones. It follows the story of then 18-year-old Colin who meets an older leather-clad biker, Ray, and enters into a BDSM relationship with him. The novella deals with topics like homophobia, consent, and self-esteem.
Synopsis
Colin and Ray meet while cruising at Box Hill near Leatherhead in 1975, a spot known for bikers on Sundays.[2] It is Colin's 18th birthday. After bumping into Ray, Colin is forced to give him a blowjob. Ray later takes Colin home with him and rapes him. Colin describes being attracted to Ray, as well as wondering why Ray would be interested in him. Despite his discomfort, Colin ends up entering a long-term BDSM relationship as Ray's submissive.[3] Colin and Ray date for over six years. Ray tells Colin very little information about himself: Colin does not know his occupation, birthday, or any other personal information. Ray is very controlling and makes Colin shave his head and throw out his toiletries. Colin integrates socially into the biker gang, and is forced to do sexual favors for the rest of the members.[2] When Colin is 24, he goes on vacation with his family, and comes back to learn that Ray has died in a bike accident. Before passing away, Ray swore his friends into secrecy about where he would be buried. The novella ends with Colin still unsure of what really happened to Ray.
Characters
- Colin, a shy, overweight young gay man who enters into an abusive, submissive relationship to Ray and his biker gang
- Ray, a biker, described as around a decade older than Colin, who is the dominant partner in their relationship.
- Joyce, Colin's older sister
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