Proud Pink Sky

Proud Pink Sky by Redfern Jon Barrett is a beautifully crafted story of the gay city-state of Berlin and the struggles of its denizens to create a queer utopia. It begins in 1998, recounting the woes of William, who is ruthlessly bullied by teachers, classmates, and even family, for being gay. Desperate to not feel alone, William listens to radio broadcasts coming from Berlin that convince him the only place he can be safe and happy and find others like himself is the Gay Capital. The author, Redfern Jon Barrett, cleverly uses the radio broadcasts to give the reader a sense of what Berlin could be like and how it would appeal to the forlorn William. These radio shows harken back to the propaganda campaigns used by both sides during World War 2 and the Korean Conflict, giving this story a nostalgic feel. It was easy to imagine the time period being earlier than the waning days of the 20th century. When William’s world crashes around him, he grabs his boyfriend, Gareth, and they run away, relying on the kindness of strangers to point them in the correct direction. They become refugees who need the help of others to make their way to Berlin and become settled there in a neighborhood known only as ‘Q’. In contrast, we get the story of Cissie, who is married to Howard and has two small boys. The prospect of a good job in construction has brought this little family to Berlin to reside in the neighborhood of Hetcarsey, which is where the heterosexual residents of Berlin typically…

"Proud Pink Sky" is a captivating novel that leaves readers yearning for more. Redfern Jon Barrett's skillful storytelling and the richly imagined world of Berlin's gay metropolis make for an immersive reading experience that is hard to put down. The characters and their journeys are so compelling that it's difficult not to become deeply invested in their lives. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, experiencing the highs and lows alongside the characters. The exploration of identity, community, and the sacrifices individuals make for their true selves is thought-provoking and resonates long after the final page. Barrett's writing style is both eloquent and accessible, making the novel accessible to a wide range of readers. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping the story moving at a steady pace while allowing for moments of introspection and reflection. The world-building is exceptional, with vivid descriptions that transport readers to the bustling streets of Berlin and the hidden corners of the city. In conclusion, "Proud Pink Sky" is a remarkable novel that pushes the boundaries of speculative urban fiction. Redfern Jon Barrett's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking exploration of identity, and the vibrant world of Berlin's gay metropolis make this book a must-read. My only wish is that there would have been more of it, as it is a truly captivating and unforgettable literary experience. My only wish is that there would have been…

Berlin author Redfern Jon Barrett, born in England and educated in Wales, earned his PhD in Literature from Swansea University and in addition to writing acclaimed novels and short stories is active in campaigning for LGBTQ and polyamory rights. PROUD PINK SKY is the second novel from this gifted writer. Barrett’s flowing prose illuminates aspects of the world gay people inhabit, allowing inspection and admiration and understanding as depicted in a fantasy Berlin. As the synopsis capsulises: ‘A glittering gay metropolis of 24 million people, Berlin is a bustling world of pride parades, polyamorous trysts, and even an official gay language. Its distant radio broadcasts are a lifeline for teenagers William and Gareth, who flee toward sanctuary. But is there a place for them in the deeply divided city? Meanwhile, young mother Cissie loves Berlin’s towering high rises and chaotic multiculturalism, yet she’s never left her heterosexual district—not until she and her family are trapped in a queer riot. With her husband Howard plunging into religious paranoia, she discovers a walled-off slum of perpetual twilight, home to the city’s forbidden trans residents. As William and Cassie personal journeys lead them to increasingly identify with Berlin’s outsiders and underclass, the city’s tensions, inequalities and contradictions explode into violence and a looming civil war in which each of them will play their part.’ Clearly Barrett is a rising star in LGBTQ literature, a luminous…

The suffix -topia comes from the Greek root topos, "place." So it ought to have the Greek prefix, not the Latin one: amphitopia, not ambitopia.