Box Hill

This book feels like a pleasant punch to the gut. While that may sound confusing, it will make sense by the time you finish reading the book. The story that author Adam Mars-Jones unfolds here is one of a love of a more or less unique kind. Clearly, the book depicts a relationship dynamic that, at first glance, doesn’t align with societal norms for relationships (if such a thing even exists or should exist). Yet this dom-sub relationship, as the book makes clear in its brief runtime, is a relationship like any other. There is no sensationalism here in the sense of “Look how different they are.” No, this relationship that our protagonists enter into is simply presented as another possible form of relationship, entirely free of judgmental glances. Far more remarkable, however, is the way in which this book (and the fantastic film adaptation, for that matter) challenges our own habits of perceiving the world. After all, as a reader, one also assumes the role within a dom-sub relationship, completely surrendered to the authors’ will. And so, ultimately, it is happiness and affection—yes, love—that this story tells us about. A story for everyone who loved the film or would like to see it, and especially for those who want to have a good, good cry!

Box Hill is a crackling and tragic love story between two men, set in the gay biker community of the late 1970s. Adam Mars-Jones' debut is very intimately written and deals with themes of dominance and submission in relationships, low self-esteem and loss. The book has now been reworked into the movie "Pillion" starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling.