Waiting for the Flood

Waiting for the Flood (2018) Alexis Hall (Spires)

If you’ve read Alexis Hall, you may think you know what to expect from this story.

Chances are you are completely wrong.

It has been two years since Marius decided he was no longer in love with Edwin, and moved out of the house they had bought in Oxford. A house that is full of memories of Edwin and Marius. Memories and the books that Edwin meticulously repairs, preserving little bits of history.

What I like are diaries and letters, commonplace books and ledgers, calendars, invitations and almanacs: the everyday documents of nobody in particular. Ephemera, it’s called. From the Greek. Like those frail-legged mayflies, with their lace-and-stained-glass wings, who live only for a day.

This story of letting go and allowing the future to wash away the past is slow and beautiful.

Life is so full of rough edges— small tasks and expectations that scratch you bloody and remind you that you’re naked and alone.

This story is full or words and phrases that you will make you want to stop and go back and reread them.

But mainly what he remembers are moments in the dark, stirring to wakefulness in a pool of shared warmth, and lulled back to sleep by the rhythm of another’s breath.

I think Edwin is my favorite of Alexis Hall’s characters. Well, until I reread Boyfriend Material and Luc becomes my favorite again.

It’s all I’ve ever wanted, really. Someone to make tea for. To know how they like to drink it, and share some pieces of time with them at the end of long days, and short ones, good days and bad, and everything in between.

Regardless, I love this.

Rating: 9.5/10

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