Nothing Ever Just Disappears
Allen Lane (UK) 2023 -- Pegasus (USA) 2024
Shortlisted - Eccles/Hay Writer's Award
Longlisted - Ondaatje Prize for Place Writing
A New History
Nothing Ever Just Disappears retraces the footsteps of some of the twentieth century's most remarkable queer writers and artists. Moving through their homes and haunts, it explores the deep connections between where they lived, who they loved, and the iconoclastic artworks they created.
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Featuring Derek Jarman, E. M. Forster, London's queer suffragettes, Josephine Baker, Claude Cahun, James Baldwin, Jack Smith, and Kevin Killian.
REVIEWS
CELEBRATES THE COURAGE IT TOOK FOR THESE QUEER PEOPLE MERELY TO EXIST, AND EXIST HONESTLY, IN A HOSTILE WORLD
The Observer
THE GREAT GIFT OF THIS BOOK IS TO OFFER ACCESS TO OPTIMISM, IN THESE LATE AND SHADOWED DAYS
The Irish Times
LIBERATING, FLEXIBLE AND HIGHLY IMAGINATIVE
iNews
CONSIDERED, FASCINATING AND SPARKLES WITH INSIGHT
Attitude Magazine
INTRIGUING AND IDIOSYNCRATIC… A VERY LIVELY AND READABLE BOOK
The Spectator
HESTER IS A KEEN, IMPASSIONED OBSERVER OF BOTH CREATIVE PEOPLE AND THEIR PLACES
Star Tribune
COMPLEX, WELL-ROUNDED PORTRAITS, WITH ALL THE MESSINESS AND CONTRADICTIONS THAT COME FROM BEING HUMAN
Daily Art Magazine
A LOVELY LITERARY AND ARTISTIC PILGRIMAGE
Booklist
A SCINTILLATING INVESTIGATION OF THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT, CREATIVITY, AND IDENTITY
Publishers Weekly
AN EVOCATIVE REMINDER THAT IT MATTERS WHERE WE LIVE—AND WHERE ART IS MADE
Kirkus Reviews
Image courtesy of Callum Morris from the garden of Prospect Cottage
