I feel like the more I read Washington's fiction, the more I understand humanity just that little bit more.

This was exquisite, and deeply reflective for someone who has also bumped around the globe and called home to cities I wasn't raised in, and found family in friends.

This has all the hallmarks of his fiction that keen readers will have so admired - the way food nudges at the silences and becomes its own lingo, the easy way the reader falls into the flow of the story and the slow ebbs it makes into these lives. How complex and nuanced each character is without that ever being "the point." We're more than what happens to us, and even more so, it doesn't get to define us. For a story set in one of the most populated cities in the world, what was most striking for me was how much people can mean to those in their immediate orbit. That people can find each other and matter immensely in the midst of all going on (earthquakes and all). That relationships don't need labels or explanations, or to mean anything to anyone outside of them. And inside of these is where the world and its value is.

I also loved how deeply Washington brought us into the son and the mother's imaginary - they're the only two characters that remain unnamed (even Taro the cat is named) - gosh I'd love I bookclub to talk about why he does this and how powerful it is in the narrative! How much it focuses you on "them," as individuals and collectively - their existence felt tied to each other because they're always referenced with this identifier, never a name of their own. Even after finishing this, I keep thinking about how much the reader is immersed in knowing them without this identifier. Super clever! And I loved that the final part switches perspective up so radically.

I keep saying that my latest read by Washington becomes my new favourite - and I love that I get to be a reader while Washington is writing. Its magical to witness a writer just completely coming into their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is an interesting story. We follow a mother and son who remain unnamed through a journey to Japan in the midst of dealing with various facets of their lives.

The pacing is definitely a bit weird, and the start is a very slow build up into the relationships that surround the both of them. The son pushes against his mother quite a bit, and it makes for a bit of an unlikeable narrative because the characters just simply aren’t able to be connected with.

I did think there was a good undercurrent of some of the social issues that are part and parcel of the existence of queer people as well, but these themes weren’t explained quite as well as I would have liked them to be.

Still very much a solid read, but it just could have meandered a bit less and been a little bit more committed to the characters.

Bryan Washington is so good at writing beautifully simple prose surrounding complex narrative structures. After reading "Family Meal" earlier this year, I should've expected Palaver to be up to some narrative tricks, but it still took my by surprise how fluidly Washington elides present and past on the same page, shifting the timeline beneath a reader's feet, much in the way that memory itself works, the brain one moment in the present, the next sliding backwards into a memory that can feel just as vivid. Also similar to "Family Meal," Washington's explorations of found family and tenderness were incredibly cathartic and moving, the payoffs wonderful. My only minor caveat is that the son's payoff with his mother felt less earned than that of the catharsis with his friends. Otherwise, this is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for queer literary fiction.

I went into this not knowing what to expect. I was positively surprised! I loved the emotion and how realistic the characters were portrayed. Definitely recommend.

I enjoyed Bryan Washington's previous books, but this one i loved!
The son and mother reunite for the first time after a long period of silence, meeting in Tokyo where the son now lives. Slowly, they begin to reconnect and get to know each other again. As the story unfolds, the reasons behind their estrangement are gradually revealed, and we witness their careful steps toward reconciliation.

The language is very pared-down—minimalist, with lots of dialogue and almost no inner monologue. And yet, I was surprised by how deeply it moved me.

What I especially loved was the sense of community the son has built for himself in Tokyo, and the relationships he's formed with the people around him—particularly when seen through the mother's eyes.

The book is also a love letter to Japan.

This is my first time reading a novel by Bryan Washington and I have to say, he blew it out of the water. The sheer emotion in his writing is so evident and the characters felt so realistic, I could relate to their problems, their fears, and their dreams. I liked that it explored a messy family dynamic and what it means to reconcile over a difficult past. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend.

This really worked for me on so many levels. The writing is pretty sparse and at times emotionally distant, but that actually fits the overall mood and what the book is trying to say. The main characters—referred to simply as “the mother” and “the son”—aren’t the only ones looking for something more. Most of the people in the story have left their hometowns behind, hoping for a better life, but what they often find instead is a deep, quiet loneliness.

The book does a great job capturing that feeling—of being adrift in a big city, trying to forget things, but constantly remembering...trying to find connection or meaning through people, sex, conversation, distraction, whatever’s available. One thing I really appreciated was how it slowly and gently reveals each character’s trauma. Nothing is spelled out too quickly or dramatically—it just unfolds in a way that feels honest and real, moving between gracefully between the past and present.

Tokyo, where the story takes place, is incredibly vivid throughout. The neighborhoods, the restaurants and bars, the crowded trains, and especially the food—it all comes through so clearly that you can practically feel yourself there. The city really becomes part of the emotional landscape of the book. Loved it.

*Palaver* is Bryan Washington’s most intimate and emotionally layered novel yet. Set in Tokyo, it follows a young man who's built a quiet life far from his hometown of Houston—until his estranged mother shows up after ten years apart. What follows is a deeply human story about family, forgiveness, and the messiness of reconnecting. Washington’s writing is subtle, honest, and full of heart. He captures the awkward silences and emotional weight between people who love each other but don’t always know how to say it. The Tokyo setting adds depth without stealing the show—it’s the characters and their quiet unraveling that really shine. It’s tender, thoughtful, and lingers with you in all the right ways.

A son, a mother. Both a bit broken by the other, Palaver is a documentation of the first step in the healing process and how we find home in others. This ended up being slightly different from what I expected, but it was still a quite enjoyable read.

The son lives in Tokyo. Originally from Texas, the child of Jamaican immigrants, he felt that he had no choice but to leave. Has father dead, his brother broken from war, and his mother has seemingly made her choice. So the son leaves. He tries to make a new home as far away from his old one as possible, and he does find his people in the Tokyo queer community. Some are other immigrants, some are locals, but all have a part of themselves to share with the son. The mother arrives with next to no warning. It has been years since she has seen her son, so she makes the time to see him, arriving in a new place she's never really dreamed of going to and without a plan for when she's there. Tokyo may be new to her, but finding herself in a new place unexpectedly is not. She left Jamaica when she was a young adult with her friends, leaving her brother behind. A brother she cared so deeply about, and who reminds her of her son. These are the things she wants to talk to her son about, but his heart is just too hurt. He struggles with accommodating his mother unexpectedly, reigning in his feelings of animosity, and wrestling with complications with his life in Tokyo, and the mother is doing nothing to help him, as she harbors pains of her own. As the mother's trip unfolds, confessions and pleas come to light, and both the mother and the son can't help but come out of it changed people.

If I were to use one word to describe this book, it would be "intimate". This was a deeply intimate lens into two peoples lives from their childhood to current day. We got to spend a lot of time with each of them, and watch them as they wrestle with their stormy thoughts and emotions, both hurting and healing the other time and time again. I was expecting this to be a book solely about the resolution, or destruction, of the relationship between the son and the mother, but we got so much more. In fact, the majority of this book the son and the mother were not together, each spending time apart and wrestling with their emotions. And this is something that I think could have been a bit better.

The son was hurt, I really get that. We spend a lot of time with him in the present day reflecting on how hurt he was. We spend time with him in his past, learning about what led to him leaving. But we never really get The Moment that hurt him. I never really truly understood what happened, why he left, why he was harboring so much animosity towards his mother, or his brother. And you might think that this was an intentional decision, that we never learn about The Inciting Incident that broke this family apart, but that's not exactly the case. I think we do see that moment, but from my perspective I was left thinking... that's it? That's what drove the wedge? I don't get it.. And that's not to dismiss his actions, emotions are weird things. But I feel as if we were supposed to really empathize with the son in this moment, but I found myself more confused than anything about what exactly happened.

The mother was a different beast. I think the intention was for her to be sort of headstrong, but she came off more often as petulant. The son always felt like the mature one while the mother spared no moment to throw a barb the son's way. Considering the fact that she made the choice to come see her son and, supposedly, start the process of repairing their relationship, I guess I would have expected that she would make more of an effort rather than showing up and being unpleasant to him the entire time while he only reacted stoically. I appreciated the evolving relationship we got between the son and the mother, but the son's animosity mixed with the mother's immaturity dampened what I felt could have been a more impactful developing relationship.

That aside, I really REALLY loved the stories about each of the son's and mother's lives independently. I loved the care and attention to detail devoted to fleshing out the son's various friends and lovers. I loved his relationship with his students, and I loved the glimpses we got into his past. I loved the mother's journey in growing accustomed to Tokyo, her interactions with Ben, and the cultural differences she faced at every corner. Probably my favorite part of the book was learning about the mother's past, her brother, and her friends. I think it did a really good job of setting the stage for why she is like she is as an adult, and made her to be very sympathetic for a story that could have easily written her off as more of the "villain" of the two.

Despite a few head scratching character decisions, this was an enjoyable read. I love strong character driven books, and I found this to be a novel, well-done story that put complex character development to the forefront.

Equal parts heartwarming and heart wrenching, Palaver is a story about family and acceptable that is unfortunately hindered by some of the writing choices.

Palaver follows a mother and son’s tense reunion in Japan after years of being estranged. It deals with subjects like sexuality, racism, abuse, homophobia, and mental illness. While Bryan Washington keeps much of the mother and son’s past fairly vague, he does a great job at making their relationship feel very real. The story is also full of several side characters who are all very likable and serve as mentors for the mother and son to not only evaluate their own relationship, but also the problems within themselves that have led them to this specific moment in time. Palaver has a bit of a slow start, but I was engaged throughout and felt very invested to follow these characters and their relationship through to the end.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, I did struggle with a few of the writing choices made in this book. My biggest gripe is that the mother and son are never named and are just referred to as “the mother” or “the son” throughout the entire novel. I felt it created too much distance between the reader and the characters, and found it difficult to connect with them. I was also thrown off by the lack of quotation marks when characters were speaking. There were many instances where I had to go back and reread a section because I didn’t realize a conversation was happening and got lost. Both of these issues I was able to overcome as I continued reading, but I can see them very off putting to other readers.

Ultimately, I give Palaver a solid 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for Goodreads) because, after sticking with it despite my initial complaints about the writing choices, I found it to be a compelling story that many people could connect with whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.

unfortunately DNF at page 150. Tried my best as this is a ARC but I couldn't get into at all. Too many characters and I didn't enjoy the writing style at all. Not a huge fan of not using quotation marks. Calling the MC's Mom and Son just didn't resonate with me and made it very difficult to engage in the story or feel any sort of connection.

The son has been living in Japan for twelve years, and he hasn't spoken to his mother in the last three, when she suddenly turns up unannounced. Once he realises how much it will cost to fly her back to America early, the son agrees that the mother can stay ... as long as she doesn't get in his way.

I've been a fan of Bryan Washington's writing ever since I read Lot (his debut short story collection), and fellow fans won't be disappointed by Palaver's grounded sense of place, descriptions of food you can almost taste, and layered sex scenes. But Palaver is my favourite of his books so far. Washington's sparse style of writing works so well to create a sense of distance between the son and the mother. If I've liked rather than loved Washington's previous books, it's because I found the characters a little unmemorable. Here, the focus on just two characters and the sense of their unknowability prevent that from being a problem. I loved the way Washington's terse dialogue and staccato paragraphs become part of his characterisation, as the son and mother so often leave things unsaid. This creates an ambiguity that lets the reader decide whose side they are on, as the story remains in third-person but flips between the son's and mother's perspectives. It also makes the son and mother feel like real people, elevating the dysfunctional family trope. And I think many of the side characters will stay with me too, thanks to Washington's immense talent for observation.

I have to admit that the length of Palaver coupled with its frequent movements through time did mean I couldn't always completely keep track of everyone, especially since I took my time reading it, savouring the writing and perhaps finding the frequent breaks made it a little too easy to put down. But this means that I can look forward to rereading it, and seeing how all the little pieces come together to make the bigger picture. I love Washington's writing, and Palaver's sense of place and the fascinating characters at its heart make this one my favourite of his books so far.

"Palaver" is a rueful read that focuses on the main narrator Chris and his found family in Tokyo, as well as his complex relationship with his blood family represented by his mother's unexpected visit. We learn more about the two characters throughout, with the novel having a dual POV and a mixed timeline of both the past and the present. The book has an uneven pacing and drags at times, however Washington's signature strength in rendering his characters real and complex are still clear here. I appreciate this book for its ruminating story and the interesting main setting of Japan.

This book will not be for everyone, but it was certainly for me! I adored the way this was written - the lack of first names, lack of quotation marks, and abundant use of comparisons were all *chef’s kiss*. This felt authentic and grounded. This also felt like a massive love letter to Japan.

I adored this cast of biological and found families. Everyone was messy and real. The writing brought each character to life and the dialogue was poetic.

Overall I really adored this novel and broadly recommend it! I’ll definitely be picking up a physical copy once published.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for access to this work. All opinions are my own!

he’s done it again

thank you fsg and netgalley for the digital arc. i’ve quite frankly never read something this early lol

i do plan on reading this again closer to the publication date, i just couldn’t be bothered to wait until november. you’ll get my full review then, but for now you can have some highlights:

- i wanted to cry and/or throw up during multiple scenes
- bryan washington crafts characters like no one else, the tenderness and care he exhibits in his writing is truly unmatched
- all of his works are in conversation with one another, but the exploration of similar themes never feels repetitive

i loved this book, and i’m already looking forward to the reread <3

I absolutely adored this book, to the point that I think I'll pick up a physical copy when it comes out. Bryan Washington is an author I've never heard of before but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on him. His prose is beautiful and the reflections he makes the reader have are even more so. His portrayl of queer themes and the complicated relationships you, especially with parents, that come from that were great. I found myself falling in love with every character and rooting for them all. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time.

A son who ran away from his family, a mom who couldn't hold his son back when he ran away. Reading Palaver was more than just a reading experience. It healed parts of me that i thought would never heal. Watching the mother exploring japan all of her own, watching the son finally reconsiling with the mother for the warmth he never got when he was a kid, tagging along with them as their bond strengthen and they confront their vulnerabilities and the deeply rooted love for each other, this book is beyond a normal read. In the bustling life of Tokyo, the mom and son, with their multicultural friends and a thousand lives unfolds a tale of the darker side of human relationships, abuse, trauma, homophobia, and the helplessness it leads us into. Watching the son growing more softer to his mom, and the mom becoming more accepting to his son's lifestyle, this book is a genuine pill of happiness.

I hope the son and the mom and his brother and his friends, they all live happy, and celebrate the lives they have!

At this point, if you’ve read one Bryan Washington book, you’ve read them all, good and bad. In Palaver, we follow “the son” and “the mother” (the Holy Spirit may appear in a direct sequel) as you’re led into this strained relationship. We learn slowly what’s led to these two feeling so distant (beyond geography — the mother visits Japan from Houston) over the 300+ pages to mixed results.

Like Washington’s “Memorial” from a few years back, we’re joining characters who are in the midst of falling apart and potentially coming together. It works here most of the time, but in other moments, feels hollow and stilted. There are other characters here too who are sometimes more interesting but don’t stick around much. Washington also continues his “no quotation marks” and flipping between past and present without warning from his other work. Mileage will vary here. Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this (very early) ARC.

Bryan Washington's "Palaver," like his previous works, explores the intersections of family, community, race, and sexuality. The story delves into percieved familial and societal obligations, highlighting the complexities of relationships.

In this novel, the son is living in Japan and teaching English when his estranged mother comes to visit. Despite a profession that revolves around communication, these two struggle to talk and connect. What is said—and what remains unsaid—carries equal weight.

The son appears to lead a mildly hedonistic and nihilistic lifestyle, which may be understandable for a gay Black man who has lost an uncle to AIDS. His mother’s visit compels him to slowly re-evaluate the relationships he has with friends, family, and lovers.

The book carries an emotional and authentic tone that resonates deeply, especially for those who have felt isolated or misunderstood by their family of origin. It reflects the quest to find one's place and a measure of happiness in the world. I recommend this moving and thought-provoking novel. Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC.

Wow, wow, wow. Another stunner from Bryan Washington; his prose is so gorgeous, haunting, and powerful. This is a beautiful story of the conception of home, found family, immigration, love, costly mistakes, and grace. I loved everything about this novel; the strained, but hopeful, relationship between the mother and son; the side characters that make Tokyo come to life; the cat; the photographs included between sections that illuminate the story. There are many types of connections explored here, from the deepest, and, at times, trickiest, kind involving love, to the kind we have with people we see regularly but might not exchange names with, and everything in between. What Washington suggests here is similar to Forster's imperative to "only connect;" in every permeation of relationship seen, no matter how difficult, no matter how ephemeral, the trying, the striving, to understand one another, and one's self, seems to be the purpose. One character says to another after a dinner together that is likely to go no further as both characters live on separate continents, "everyone in every lifetime doesn't get this....like this evening. After tonight, it'll fade into the air. It'll just be something that happened. But we'll both walk around with it, in our minds. It'll be something that lives with us. And changed us." Even what might be an inconsequential connection, given the time and distance, is worthy of pursuit.

I also love this: "That's what other people are for. They're part of the litmus test....maybe they're the ones who help us see ourselves clearer. And helping them is helping ourselves." Despite the grief and hardships these characters face, I found this to be a very hopeful novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC!