“The Unnameable finds a young man caught at the juncture of masculine identity, torn between his military father’s expectations, his mother’s religious aspirations, and Audie’s own unfurling queer desires. Set in a unique moment in Canadian history, this coming-of-age novel charts the ripple effect of separatism, political violence, and racism on the small military community of Rockcliffe. At its core, it is a thoughtful portrait of first love unfolding between library books and hockey boards, and a meditation on the forces that drive us apart and those that bind us closer, no matter the risk.”

–Loghan Paylor, Giller Prize–longlisted author of The Cure for Drowning

“This is a novel that has waited years to be told. Exposing one boy’s journey with all its poignancy, heartbreak, longing, and dreams, every page of The Unnameable feels like the truth.

Being gay in the late sixties, living on an army base in Ottawa, where hockey is a blood sport and hockey players are young gods, isn’t easy for Audie. His idea of a good time is dancing to musicals. He also spends a lot of time figuring out how to walk home from school without getting beaten up. Who does he trust? Who should he be afraid of? It doesn’t help that his father is ashamed of him.

Malone drops us in his world. He brings Ottawa and Montreal to life. His characters are magnificent and cruel in their own ways.

This is a gorgeous novel. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to kick people for being so unbearably ignorant.

Malone’s words bring up the excruciating experience that many young men can never quite get over. Having to hide their true selves and swallow the hurt that others have caused them.”

–Lesley Crewe, national bestselling author of The Spirit of Scatarie