James’s 'The Disappearers' Confronts Jamaican Homophobia Through a Brutal 1988 Theatre Plot

Key points

• The novel is set in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1988, during the AIDS epidemic, when homosexuality remained illegal and punishable by hard labor.
• The plot centers on a group of eight gay men attempting to stage John Herbert’s 1967 play 'Fortune and Men’s Eyes,' which is interrupted by a brutal mob attack.
• James describes the book as 'personal' and 'true,' noting that while some events are fictionalized, the core experiences of queer life in Jamaica are grounded in reality.
• The narrative structure shifts from the diary of a young narrator, Eddy Porteous, to the perspectives of the attackers, and finally to the search for two missing victims by another character, Jordan Brown.
• The book is longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize, with the shortlist to be announced in September and the winner in November.

Background

Marlon James previously won the Booker Prize in 2015 for 'A Brief History of Seven Killings.' His new novel, 'The Disappearers,' is his first Jamaican-set work since that award. The 2026 Booker Prize longlist, announced in July, included 13 titles, with the judging panel chaired by Mary Beard. The shortlist is scheduled for September 22, and the winner will be revealed on November 9.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasizes James’s intent to create a 'distressing' and 'radical' work that confronts the reader with the reality of queer violence, noting his statement that he writes to be 'appalled.' The Guardian highlights the novel's 'polyphonic' structure and its 'scorching' critique of homophobia, while noting some formal flaws in its length and use of reported scenes. The Financial Times focuses on the 'righteous anger' of the narrative, particularly the voice of Jordan Brown, and praises James’s refusal to play it safe, despite the risk of alienating readers with its graphic content. All three outlets agree on the novel's significance as a major literary event, but differ in their assessment of its structural execution, with the Guardian offering the most critical view of its pacing.

Why it matters

The novel brings international attention to the ongoing legal and social persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Jamaica, where anti-homosexuality laws remain in force. It also represents a significant moment for James, as he returns to his Jamaican roots with a work that challenges conventional literary norms and confronts readers with the brutal reality of queer existence in a hostile environment.

What to watch

The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist will be announced on September 22, with the winner revealed on November 9. 'The Disappearers' is published by Hamish Hamilton in the UK and Riverhead in the US, with a price of £20 and $32, respectively. The book is expected to generate significant discussion in literary circles and LGBTQ+ advocacy communities.