The Great Believers

The Great Believers follows two parallel storylines set thirty years apart. The first takes place in 1980s Chicago, where Yale Tishman works as an art gallery director during the height of the AIDS crisis. The second storyline follows Fiona Marcus in 2015 Paris as she searches for her estranged daughter while processing her experiences as a witness to the epidemic decades earlier. In Chicago, Yale pursues a significant art acquisition for his gallery while watching his community face devastating losses. His professional opportunity involves a collection of 1920s artwork, connecting the Lost Generation of post-WWI Paris to the AIDS generation of 1980s America. The novel draws parallels between two eras of profound loss and transformation - the 1920s and the 1980s - while exploring how communities and individuals preserve their histories. Through its dual timelines, the book examines the ripple effects of tragedy across decades and the endurance of friendship and love in the face of crisis.

Readers describe this as an emotional, character-driven story that captures both the 1980s AIDS crisis in Chicago and its long-term impact on survivors. Many note that it made them cry. Readers appreciated: - The detailed research and historical accuracy - The parallel timeline structure connecting past and present - The portrayal of chosen family and friendship bonds - The representation of Chicago's art scene Common criticisms: - Some found the present-day storyline less compelling - The large cast of characters was hard to track - A few readers thought the book was longer than necessary Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (88,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,300+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "It puts you right there in the confusion and fear of the early AIDS crisis. The characters feel like people you know." - Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "The 2015 sections drag and could have been cut by half without losing impact." - Amazon reviewer

@Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt Through the story of a teenager processing her uncle's death from AIDS in 1987, this novel captures the same intimate perspective on loss and family that shapes The Great Believers.

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne Following a gay man's life across decades in Ireland, this multi-generational narrative mirrors The Great Believers' exploration of LGBTQ+ history and social change.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara This chronicle of four friends in New York spans decades and delves into trauma, friendship, and survival with the same depth as Makkai's work.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer This tale of a writer traveling the world to avoid his ex-lover's wedding connects to The Great Believers through its examination of gay life across time and place.

The Paris Hours by Alex George Set in 1927 Paris, this novel interweaves multiple characters' stories and connects to The Great Believers through its exploration of art, loss, and the resonance of historical moments.

🎨 Art galleries featured in the novel were inspired by Makkai's experiences at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, where she worked as a docent. 💔 The AIDS crisis claimed over 100,000 lives in the United States during the 1980s, with Chicago being one of the hardest-hit cities outside New York and San Francisco. 📚 The book won the Andrew Carnegie Medal, was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize, and was named one of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018. 🗺️ The Paris sections of the novel were meticulously researched during Makkai's multiple trips to France, where she mapped out every location her characters would visit. 🎭 Before writing novels, Makkai was a full-time elementary school teacher in Chicago, teaching drama and storytelling – skills that would later influence her narrative techniques.