Only This Beautiful Moment
Only This Beautiful Moment is a book that lives up to its name – it’s one big, beautiful moment of reading about three generations of a family and the secrets they hide. In present-day Los Angeles, gay teenager Moud is due to visit Iran, the land of his ancestors, for the first time. This is met with anger by his boyfriend, Shane, who condemns the country’s anti-gay stance.
Moud has reservations too, deleting his social media, and he will have to go on the trip with his father, Saeed, who is not welcoming of his son’s sexuality. They arrive in Tehran to see Moud’s ailing grandfather, Bobby, and Moud finds himself becoming entranced with a culture he didn’t know, but which speaks to his soul. On the visit, secrets of love, loss and treachery across the generations are revealed, and the men are changed forever.
The novel flashes back to 1978 when Saeed was an engineering student taking part in protests against the regime while pursuing a beautiful woman. It also reveals Bobby’s story in 1939 Hollywood where his pushy mother helps him get an MGM contract. Bobby is tipped to be a star but has signed a morals clause which causes difficulties – he is gay.
All three storylines are well fleshed out and believable, and I found Bobby’s life particularly poignant. It shows what prejudice gay men and women faced then and includes biographical tales of gay film stars, including Billy Haines, who refused to give up his partner.
The book is written with warmth and verve, and while advised for YA readers, it’s highly recommended for all ages.
