What does it mean to live a life that's illegal, to be born into a community where you don't belong?
These are some of the questions raised by the new novel, The Order of Nature, by Toronto lawyer Josh Scheinert.
Set in Gambia, the novel follows two characters – Andrew, an American college graduate, and Thomas, a Gambian bartender at a hotel frequented by expatriates. Andrew is sheltered and shy. Wanting a change from his suburban life, he sets out for Gambia to volunteer for a year. At first, things went as planned. He did good work, made friends, and started to break out of his shell. But then, unexpectedly, he meets Thomas. Thomas has run away from his homophobic village, and understands all too well how unforgiving his country can be to people like himself. He has one friend and nowhere safe to be who he is.
The Order of Nature follows Andrew and Thomas as they navigate an environment where their love is illegal. At first, they believe it’s possible to develop a relationship in even the most trying circumstances. But as their relationship strengthens, the homophobia that envelops them becomes more hostile; the politics of prejudice catches up. Exposed and arrested, they are forced to confront what it means when your existence is considered a crime, your love against the order of nature.
As more focus is placed on societies that criminalize homosexuality, it's hoped that the The Order of Nature helps to shed light on the circumstances of so many people living in the shadow of persecution and prejudice. With the recent focus on the plight of refugees, including those fleeing persecution on account of sexual orientation, the novel further portrays the human side of an issue that many of us engage with largely in the abstract.
Note: The Order of Nature is available on all Amazon platforms, including amazon.ca, and local bookstores.