Gospel of Winter

In a lyrical and hard-hitting exploration of betrayal and healing, the son of a Connecticut socialite comes to terms with his abuse at the hands of a beloved priest (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).As sixteen-year-old Aidan Donovans fractured family disintegrates around him, he searches for solace in a few bumps of Adderall, his fathers wet bar, and the attentions of his local priest, Father Gregthe only adult who actually listens to him. When Christmas hits, Aidans world collapses in a crisis of trust when he recognizes the darkness of Father Gregs affections. He turns to a crew of new friends to help make sense of his life: Josie, the girl he just might love; Sophie, whos a little wild; and Mark, the charismatic swim team captain whose own secret agonies converge with Aidans. The Gospel of Winter maps the ways love can be used as a weapon against the innocentbut can also, in the right hands, restore hope and even faith. Brendan Kielys unflinching and courageous debut novel exposes the damage from the secrets we keep and proves that in truth, there is power. And real love.