A Montreal author is unveiling his 15th book, a powerful story rooted in the city.
“I write to make sense of the world,” said H. Nigel Thomas.
“And Then Again Begin” is the title of the novel by the award-winning author. It follows a queer marriage tested by secrecy, family expectations, and unresolved trauma.
“This 15th book, which is actually the fourth book in a quartet, brings to a close a cycle of characters that I’ve been exploring over four generations,” said Thomas.
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The series begins with “No Safeguards,” followed by “Fate’s Instruments” and “Easily Fooled.”
The books do not have to be read in order. Across the series, readers follow the story of Millington and Jay, who live in Montreal while keeping their marriage hidden from their parents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
That is also where Thomas immigrated from in 1968, escaping homophobia.
“The human condition mystifies me,” said Thomas.
The book is already available, but a launch is set for May 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Montreal’s UNIA Liberty Hall.
The reading and book signing will also include a Q&A led by Montreal author Chanel Sutherland, who is also Thomas’s cousin.
“I’m excited about this because we follow this range of characters throughout the four books and I feel like this is a full circle moment,” said Sutherland. “Even the title itself suggests a beginning at the end.”
“I’m very excited to see what that is,” she added. “I’ve started the book, and we’ll see.”
With a PhD from Université de Montréal, and degrees from Concordia and McGill University, the former teacher now devotes his time to writing and guiding fellow authors on their own journeys.
“In creating characters like this, I get to hopefully better understand the world,” said Thomas. “And in the process, myself, since I am part of the world.”
