#QueerLitLoft

The holiday season is my favourite time of the year. So when ‘Nathan Burgoine asked if I’d like to review his latest festive short story collection, Upon the Midnight Queer, I jumped at the chance.

The first aspect I enjoyed about this body of work, is the interlapping characters between individual stories. I love it when authors seamlessly integrate their stories and characters in this way, it’s such fun to stumble upon them as a reader.

I certainly had a few favourite tales within this smorgasbord of fabulously festive fables, starting with “Most of ’81”. Christopher and Don’s meet cut, and subsequent never in the right place at the right time is pure kismet. “Future in Flame” was another excellent offering, a queer expansion on “The Little Match Girl” (penned in 1845). A beautifully creative take on the original, with a significantly more heart warming ending.

And then there’s “Folly” which I adored for its trans representation, particularly with the individual being a young child. How I wish every trans kid had a loving and supportive guardian as Uncle Hunt. The care he took to pick out little Suzy’s doll, to ensure she would see herself reflected there on Christmas morning, was so touching. Not to mention that Suzy, Nellie and Johnny’s matchmaking of their Uncle Hunt with neighbour Micah is adorable!

The one thing which I felt the absence of, (and would have delighted in because I’m that type of person), was the inclusion of a list or note, pairing each queer re-telling with its source of origin or inspiration. I’m super intrigued about all the ones I didn’t recognise!

Upon the Midnight Queer is a twinkling, gloriously diverse spectacle of short stories, bound with the true magic of the season. Such an absolute joy to be able to fill up both my queer and festive cups at the same time.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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