You know those trainwrecks that you can't look away from no matter how much you want to? That's this book. 😬 It was terrible and I won't be adding it to my reading challenge even though I read the complete and toxic trashcan. 🚮 I didn't even get a satisfying conclusion. It also read more like a memoir than fiction. Latter Days, the movie, has probably ruined all other religious stories for me. *sigh* 😩😔 

***Review copy provided by Netgalley.***

The journey that gay men take in a world that, even today, doesn't fully accept them, is a journey only he can choose to make. Accept and resign yourself to living a certain way, or take charge and make the situation work for you. (I know that's a simplistic statement but the essence of my thought is there.)
Body and Soul follows such a journey of two men, though undoubtedly- more from Luca's perspective than from Brad's. Though it is not told in a 'dark, depressing manner', it is the sad tale of closeted men trying to inch their way out of the dark (on their own) while hiding the passion of their lives in secrecy.

It's hard to review this as merely fiction, because whether or not this story is based on actual events; this scenario has been lived by many throughout time. The battle of BODY vs. SOUL, or better yet- Body, Mind and Soul is timeless.

Religion has both saved and destroyed many men. Readers can either choose to be judgemental of the characters' choices or try to understand their efforts to reconcile things, that by their very nature, are at odds with one another. (Body and Soul.)

It is with all this in mind that author Mario Dell'Olio tells this story. He does so, carefully relying on the feelings and experiences of his characters, in a moving account of their journey to navigate a challenging and difficult road.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an interesting look at sexual identity and how it relates to a religious belief system. From a very young age, Luca had great spiritual beliefs. Very quickly, his life became centered around music. When he began his education he met and fell in love with Brad. What Luca experiences as love seems very different for Brad… and thus begins their tumultuous relationship.

The book cycles back and forth between the past and the present to tell the story of these two men. I found the time jumps a little confusing because they were sometimes combined with POV switches. This story reads more like a personal memoir than a novel… there’s something very intimate about the way Dell’Olio writes the thoughts and reflections of Luca in particular.

Luca grew up during a time when many gay men struggled with the definition of gay. Did being gay mean being effeminate? Did being gay mean being flamboyant? Was a gay lifestyle mutually exclusive with a spiritual one?

Once the men are in their 50s and are reunited, Luca begins to unpack his journey with Brad. With the wisdom of age, he is able to look back over his youth and recognize the more destructive aspects of their relationship.

I can’t speak to how accurate this novel is in terms of the Catholic Church and its stance on homosexuality. But I certainly hope that there is a future of inclusion for queer folks in religious institutions if that’s what they desire in their life. It certainly gave me a sense of hope to read about a Bishop who would be supportive of queer individuals.