The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve noticed that with each new book, Casey MCQuiston has attempted to toss out her previous plot mold and steered her creative genius in an innovative direction.
The reader will still encounter the familiar theme of the “non-conformist/outsider/fringe dweller” who can’t seem to find lasting love. The Pairing is no exception, but Theo and Kit definitely push the envelope as their stories (told from their alternating points of view) unfold.
No spoilers, but there is a transition in the second half of the novel that truly opened a door for me onto what life – and love – must be like for those who identify as transgender and non-binary.
Readers should be prepared for intensely emotional and highly graphic scenes. Whereas McQuiston’s previous novels had plenty of youthful yearning and lustful foreplay, the actual “denouement” of these encounters was usually left off the page. Readers who regularly inhale steamy -or downright raunchy – fiction (and I used to be one of them in my youth!) will be huge fans of The Pairing.
Now, this is the type of “raunchy” that I grew up with:
Same difference? I’ll let you be the judge!
BONUS CONTENT: For those few readers who prefer to skim over the romantic escapades of these two star-crossed lovers, the various settings for The Pairing takes us along many epicurean and “off the beaten track” locations in France and Italy. McQuiston’s novel is a travelogue served with a generous blend of delicious food and wine and has been topped off with a huge dollop of extracurricular activities (aka “sexercise!”) to keep our mental waistlines trim and slim!
I loved Theo and Kit – both are adorable, engaging characters! – but once again I got confused by the sudden “their/them” pronoun shift midway through the novel when referring to a transgender or non-binary person. I’m sure I will get the hang of this eventually: I’ll keep trying! Out of curiosity: has any enterprising LGBTQ author published a novel where they have created their own distinctive pronouns? I would love to hear about it.
I’m rating this one a 4 out of 5 entertaining stars. I found that I had to take several breaks from all the frolicking, in the same way that I like to pace and space out my sight-seeing itinerary! I have to admit that, as I turned the last page, I was totally inspired to head back to Europe and see for myself all the wonderful places (and sample all the wonderful food) that McQuiston and her band of Dionysian travelers caroused in. Highly recommended!
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