Unlove Story (Pride List) is a poignant gay novel set against the rural landscapes of Bengal, where art and longing collide and tradition meets the heart's quiet revolt. It is written for readers who relish literary, character‑driven storytelling and seek queer stories of identity, first loves, and the courage to redefine what love can mean. The tone is reflective, intimate, and hopeful, inviting readers who enjoy emotional journeys that merge beauty with truth.
In Unlove Story, Mallar, a shy, introspective artist, and Srijan, his classmate’s enigmatic elder cousin, form a bond that begins in secrecy and grows into a pact—never to fall in love. As their lives transport from the tranquil Bengal countryside to the sunlit beaches of Chennai, the shadowy alleys of Paris, and the buzzing streets of Bangalore, their unconventional companionship deepens and evolves. The book tracks the couple’s evolving dynamic with care, exploring desire, trust, and the truth that surfaces when two people promise to guard their hearts even as they learn more about themselves. Sudipto Pal crafts a vivid, artful narrative where Mallar channels his awakening into an art project that becomes a living canvas, inviting questions, testing loyalties, and opening doors to new beginnings. A landmark in queer literature, Unlove Story is celebrated as one of the first openly gay Bengali novels and the first to reach English readers.
Written in lyrical, cinematic prose, the story blends travel, memory, and art into a narrative that invites readers to witness how identity, longing, and trust shape who we become. The pacing allows quiet reflection to coexist with movement, creating an experience that feels intimate and universal at once.
- Two men, evolving connection, and a pact that challenges and reshapes their understanding of love
- Vivid journeys across Bengal, Chennai, Paris, and Bangalore, anchored by strong character voices
- Artful storytelling and a living canvas motif that drives the narrative forward
- Themes of identity, trust, vulnerability, and new beginnings
- Lyrical, cinematic writing that invites readers to linger on mood, setting, and emotion
Unlove Story leaves readers with a sense of hope and a deeper appreciation for how love can challenge tradition, illuminate the complexity of human ties, and endure beyond the boundaries we once believed in.
