Marlon James Reveals The Disappearers as a Personal, Polyphonic Exploration of Queer Trauma in Jamaica
Marlon James’s 600-page novel The Disappearers, published in September 2026, has been hailed as a major literary event, earning a spot on the 2026 Booker Prize longlist and praise from critics like Dwight Garner. Set in late-1980s to early-1990s Jamaica, the book follows eight gay men navigating violence, artistic ambition, and survival in a hostile society. James describes the work as his most personal yet, drawing heavily on his own experiences and interviews with queer Jamaicans, though he clarifies it is not strict autofiction. The novel’s polyphonic structure and unflinching portrayal of homophobia have drawn comparisons to Toni Morrison and Salman Rushdie, marking a significant shift from James’s previous fantastical works.
