After avoiding it for decades, Andrés, a gay Latinx professor, reluctantly attends his 20-year high school reunion. Over the next few weeks, while caring for his ailing father, Andrés reconnects with old friends, falls into old habits, and becomes entangled with his old flame. Andrés must now tend to his old wounds and find closure to move on or risk being trapped in a small suburban town like everyone else seemed to be.

TOWN OF BABYLON is a poignant debut that explores themes of immigration, capitalism, racism, homophobia, and modern life in America. The book alternates between first-person narrative from Andrés' POV and third-person writing from the perspective of his parent's generation. This can be awkward to read initially, but I grew to enjoy the alternating narrative.

Throughout the book, much social and political commentary is interspersed in the plot, which may not be to everyone's taste. I adore the layers of introspection and self-reflection in TOWN OF BABYLON and how it tackles complex issues in a nuanced and multidimensional way.

From the complexities of immigration and integration, mental health issues, and the struggles of being a closeted gay teenager to the intersecting identities of being Latinx, TOWN OF BABYLON is a rich and layered read that offers a lot to unpack and ponder.