Books like Desert Boys by Chris McCormick
Desert Boys follows Daley Kushner as he grows up in the Mojave Desert, grapples with his sexual identity, and confronts the expectations of family, friends, and community. The linked stories trace the rise of an isolated town into a city, the development of boys into men, and the emotional weight carried by close friendships that span distance and change.
Set against the stark landscape of the desert and the vibrant streets of San Francisco, the novel explores the clash between the desire to escape and the hunger to belong. Through Daley's introspective journey and the lives of those around him—his immigrant mother from Armenia, an alfalfa farmer, two girls, and a black politician—the story examines the complexities of conformity, transformation, and resilience.
First publish date: 2016
Genre: General Fiction/Short Stories
Authors: Chris McCormick
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