Marlon James returns to his roots in his latest novel, The Disappearers. After a decade focused on fantasy, James shifts back to Jamaica for a story set in the late 1980s. The narrative follows a group of queer men in Kingston who assemble in secret to rehearse a play. This setting is defined by intense homophobia, where the act of meeting becomes a dangerous endeavor.
Despite the harsh environment, the characters search for proof of their existence. They rely on culture as a lifeline, sharing magazines, music, and literature to confirm they are not alone. These works, from Prince’s music to novels by E. M. Forster, serve as essential evidence of a larger gay identity. The characters understand that these connections carry significant risk, as any visibility can lead to violent repercussions in their community.
The central conflict revolves around the staging of a 1967 play about life in prison. While some participants seek power through their roles, others look for personal connection. The director, Havelock Titus, recognizes the danger inherent in their project. He continues the work because he feels a strong need to record the existence of queer life in his time and place.
James explores the tension between visibility and safety throughout the book. He presents the act of documenting one’s life as both a necessary survival tactic and a potential invitation for trouble. The Disappearers examines why people persist in their search for community even when the world around them denies their right to exist. It is a stark look at the history of those who refused to be erased.