Oliver & Henry - Paperback

by Michael Hartwig (Author)

What is it like to grow up in a gay family, to make sense of one's identity where heterosexuality is not the default path; it might be yours, or maybe not? Oliver, raised by two women, goes to Rome during a college summer break to meet his biological father. But his journey to Rome involves more than a simple reunion. It becomes a crossroads, a clash of ideologies and the awakening of sexuality that leaves Oliver changed forever. Oliver discovers that his father, Henry, is a conservative priest in the Vatican. But it is Henry's handsome and alluring financial advisor, Giancarlo, that sweeps Oliver off his feet and awakens his body and its affections. Oliver explores Rome with Giancarlo and discovers how its monuments mark moments of change, epochs where models of humanity and spirituality shifted. Both get ensnared in Vatican intrigue as they learn of Henry's secrets and try to thwart his moves. The story is a tour de force, a rich romp through Rome, showcasing its art, history, food, and enduring mystique. "Oliver and Henry" is the first of the Cords of Rome series, a sweeping saga of love, archaeology, religion, and magic that bridges continents, spans historical epochs, and chronicles the unfolding of Oliver and Giancarlo's love and the family they form. This book and its sequels explore new paradigms of sexuality, family, and spirituality against the backdrop of one of the most fascinating cities of all time.