The Great Believers

by Rebecca Makkai
The Great Believers cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 706
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9780708899106
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2018-06-07
  • Formats: 37
  • Reviews: 3
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The Great Believers is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. In 1985 Chicago, Yale Tishman navigates the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis on his close-knit group of friends, while also striving to secure a significant art collection for his gallery. Decades later, Fiona, the sister of one of Yale's deceased friends, travels to Paris in search of her missing daughter, confronting the lingering effects of the epidemic on her own life. The novel beautifully intertwines these two timelines, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. The author's vivid prose and deep emotional insight make this a compelling and unforgettable read.

Reviews
Madeleine Reads · 2025-09-19
moving 4.50

The book provides a profound understanding of the trauma and stigmatization faced by the gay community during the AIDS crisis. It is a moving and enlightening read that highlights the resilience and strength of those affected.

Madeleine Reads delves into the emotional depth of 'The Great Believers,' emphasizing the book's ability to convey the tragedy and trauma experienced by the gay community during the AIDS epidemic. They appreciate how the novel sheds light on the stigmatization and suffering endured by individuals, making it a poignant and necessary read. The reviewer finds the story both heartbreaking and enlightening, praising its ability to capture the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrative is powerful and leaves a lasting impact, making it a standout work that resonates deeply.

Quick quotes

    It gave me a new level of understanding of the tragedy and trauma members of the gay community faced during this time.

    The stigmatization they suffered from, and the resilience they showed, is beautifully captured.

    A moving and enlightening read that highlights the resilience and strength of those affected.

The Starving Artist · Devontre Varro-Flaherty · 2024-03-18
compelling 3.80

The novel's voice is compelling, and despite an unsatisfactory ending, there is much to praise. It offers a unique perspective on friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy.

Devontre Varro-Flaherty from The Starving Artist appreciates the compelling voice in 'The Great Believers,' which keeps the reader engaged throughout. They acknowledge that while the ending may not be entirely satisfying, the novel still has many praiseworthy elements. The reviewer highlights the exploration of friendship and redemption, finding these themes to be particularly resonant. The story's ability to blend historical context with personal narratives is commended, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    I trusted the voice and was so impressed that even if the ending was not satisfactory, there was still much to praise.

    A dazzling new novel of friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy.

    The novel's voice is compelling, and despite an unsatisfactory ending, there is much to praise.

The Guardian · 2018-08-20
affecting 4.20

The novel is deeply affecting, full of death yet spirited and hopeful about love and life. It strikes a balance between sorrow and hope, making it a remarkable read.

The Guardian's reviewer finds 'The Great Believers' to be a deeply affecting novel that masterfully balances themes of death and hope. They highlight the novel's ability to be both sorrowful and spirited, offering a nuanced exploration of love and life. The reviewer praises the novel's emotional depth and its capacity to evoke a range of feelings, making it a remarkable and unforgettable read. The interplay between historical events and personal stories is particularly noteworthy, adding layers of complexity and resonance.

Quick quotes

    It's a striking moment in a deeply affecting novel that is full of death, yet simultaneously spirited and hopeful about love and life.

    The Great Believers is a deeply affecting novel that is full of death, yet simultaneously spirited and hopeful about love and life.

    A striking moment in a deeply affecting novel that is full of death, yet simultaneously spirited and hopeful about love and life.

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