Review: The Blue Roses by Kent Yorkson

A profound tale of friendship, romance, and the beautiful collisions of human existence, The Blue Roses by Kent Yorkson is a quietly provocative work of literary fiction.

Set against the timeless backdrop of New York City’s dramatic glamor, the story centers on Mark, a gifted painter, and a seemingly perfect couple, Hans and Yukari – a prominent diplomat and a prodigious musician, respectively. As their friendship grows and their lives entangle, the powerful nature of their bond becomes a meditation on intimacy, partnership, and emotional liberation. Exploring the perennially fascinating subject of alternative relationships, Yorkson’s novel takes an honest and optimistic look at love in many of its unpredictable and kaleidoscopic forms.

Deconstructing the taboo of non-normative relationships with a patiently passionate storyline, Yorkson puts love, trust, and connection under a stunning lens with his poignant prose. As we watch these three characters move through and into each other’s lives and families over the years, the expected boundaries of traditional systems begin to break down, making this heartfelt story both jarring and refreshing, depending on the reader’s perspective on the potential fluidity of relationships.

Yorkson is not afraid to peel back the layers and focus on uncomfortable truths related to emotional connection – unspoken desires, unclear histories, and unexpected commitment, just to name a few. The “strange and undefined” triangle that drives this passionate narrative draws in ex-partners and aspiring lovers; the book fearlessly delves into the myriad paths that marriage can take, and the entirely unique nature of every relationship. Embracing the concept of life partners and chosen family without dogmatic expectations of heteronormative relationships, the story crackles with timely energy and bold assertions about modern living – and loving.

The writing quality is marvelous, and the sparkling attention to detail makes for a fast-flowing reading experience that rings with authenticity. An artist, singer, and musician provide ample room for musical language and evocative descriptions, while the diplomatic elements and high-society thinkers offer endless space for abstract discussions, philosophical musings, and rich subject matter to plunder throughout the narrative. The subtle syntactical changes in each character’s speech patterns are masterfully expressed, particularly the lilting earnestness of Yukari’s tone, and the blunt expressivity of Hans. Maintaining this type of tightly stylized writing throughout an entire novel without feeling forced is impressive, and evidence of a diligent writer and meticulous editor.

There are very scattered moments of awkward narration or stilted patterns in the writing, such as Yukari’s string of personal anecdotes previously unshared with her husband, or certain redundant emotional lessons between Mark and Jane, but these will be easily overlooked given the overall scope and quality of the novel. The umbrella of LGBT culture continues to widen in fiction, and the author presents a wonderfully expansive addition to today’s surge of representation.

Ultimately, this is a deeply human story, one driven by the impossible challenges and unpredictable tragedies that can redirect human lives in an instant. Expressed in immersive prose that positively shines with beauty, compassion, curiosity, and acceptance, the novel is both unassuming and eloquently expressed, bursting forward with proud declarations of the timeless and malleable foundations of love.