Four Squares

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From the beloved author of The Old Place comes a tender, funny, and fresh novel about a gay writer in New York City whose life is irrevocably altered once in the '90s, and then again thirty years later. From the beloved author of The Old Place comes a tender, funny, and fresh novel about a gay writer in New York City whose life is irrevocably altered once in the '90s, and then again thirty years later. For Artie Anderson to truly live, he'll need to take a chance on himself. Again. In 1992, on his thirtieth birthday, Artie Anderson meets the man who will change his life. Artie spends his days at a tedious advertising job, finding relief in the corner of New York City he can call his own, even as the queer community is still being ravaged by HIV. But when his birthday celebration brings Artie and his friends to his favorite bar, a chance encounter with Abe, an uptight lawyer and Artie's opposite in almost every way, pushes Artie to want, and to ask for, more for himself. Thirty years later, Artie is stunned when Halle and Vanessa, Abe's daughter and ex-wife, announce they are moving across the country. Artie has built a lovely, if small, life, but their departure makes Artie realize that he might be lonelier than he previously thought. When a surprising injury pushes Artie into the hands of GALS, the local center for queer seniors, a rambunctious group of elders insist on taking him under their wing. What follows will open up Artie's world in ways unimaginable. Alternating between both timelines, Four Squares is an intimate look at what it means to find community at any age and a touching meditation on the aftershocks of both love and grief.

Reviews

One of NPRs 2024 Books We Love
One of Peoples Most-Anticipated Summer Books
One of Peoples Essential Reading for Pride: Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Books for Adults
One of Bustles 40 Most Anticipated Summer Reads
One of Buzzfeed's 18 Books That I Cant Get Out of my Mind
One of Book Riots 15 of the Best LGBTQ Beach Reads of 2024
One of Amazon Book Reviews Boks Everyone Can Read with Pride
One of Barnes and Nobles Most Anticipated Books of June 2024
One of Kirkus Reviews 20 LGBTQ+ Books to Celebrate Pride Month
One of Betches Best 2024 LGBTQIA+ Books to Add to Your Cart ASAP
One of Brit + Cos 15 LGBTQ+ Books That are Essential (And Fun) Pride Month Reads
One of Biblio Lifestyles Top 6 Best Literary Fiction Beach Reads for Summer 2024

A charming, heartwarming novel. People

Four Squares had my heart in its hands from the first page. Finger's decades-spanning novel is not only a love letter to an ever-changing New York, but also an ode to friendshipsthose that are old, those that are new, and those that are entirely unexpected. It's a celebration of the power of community to uplift and heal us, and a testament to the necessity of keeping queer stories alive. It's also uproariously, side-splittingly funny. Grant Ginder, author of Let's Not Do That Again

Five stars for Four Squares! A beautiful and immersive story of often achingly relatable moments of being gay and longing for love during trying times. This journey of a writer seeking to perfectly capture imperfect joys of friendships and familytrying to put words to lifes sometimes indescribable experiencesis hopeful, insightful, and absolutely delightful. Byron Lane, author of Big Gay Wedding

Heartfelt and entertainingFingers inviting tone of warmth and decency, his empathy for these people and their world, his bright humor, skillful timing and clever phrasing, carried me alongFour Squares pays tribute to the resilience of the gay community in the face of staggering challenges, the vital importance of queer friendships and, as one GALS pal puts it, the pleasure of finding your people. This welcome message remains as maddeningly relevant as it was way, way back in the 1990s. The New York Times Book Review

A sweetly melancholy novelFinger does a nice job dramatizing Arties fear of dying alone, and he movingly describes the terror and prejudice gay men and lesbians faced during the AIDS crisis and beyondAudiences hungry for a warmhearted story will happily accompany Finger on the journey. Shelf Awareness

Beautifully renderedFinger is particularly adept at capturing sparky dialogue that only happens between good friends and brings alive the warm feeling only community can bring a person. NPR

Excuse me while I sob for 300 pages. Old people just get me so emosh, guys. Betches

With friendship at its heart, author Bobby Fingers followup to The Old Place finds more tenderness within community-driven narratives. Pride Source

"Fingers depictions of the changes in the West Village, the depredations of aging, and the possibilities of romantic connection between older single people are acute, yet infused with a sweet shrug of resignation...A big-hearted and relatable read, especially if youre old enough to remember the 1990s." Kirkus Reviews

Fingers affectionate and evocative sophomore novel (after The Old Place) alternates between two distinct periods in a writers life [Artie] makes for an endearing protagonist, one who is deeply shaped by his evolving feelings for others in his life. Admirers of Fingers first book will love this. Publishers Weekly

Another funny, heartfelt novelFingers dialogue is exquisite, and his characters are unforgettable. Four Squares is a readable and cinematic tribute to queer love and friendship. Booklist

[A] touching, sweet book about a gay man finding a queer community again after his 60th birthdayFinger deftly guides us through all the feelings of hope, regret, loss, and joy that come with aging and leaving your comfort zone. Its also a beautiful tribute to the queer community of New York City: past, present, and future. Book Riot

"Bobby Fingers beautiful sophomore release explores a vital, queer Baby Boomer perspective... Its a love letter to the gay communityespecially the elders who fought for the progress weve seen since the AIDS epidemicand the importance of preserving its history. " Bustle

From a former B&N Monthly Pick author, this is a big-hearted novel of community and fresh starts, perfect for fans of Less by Andrew Sean Greer. Barnes and Noble Reads

This novel alternates between the two timelines, exploring two different paths that Artie could have taken and taking the reader on a journey of self-discovery. Brit + Co

A moving and reflective novel of New York, aging, community, and chosen family. Arlington Magazine

This warm, funny, bittersweet valentine to the importance of community and connection at any age feels like a hug. Amazon Book Review

Four Squares masterfully explores community, aging, and relationships in gay Manhattan through heartfelt storytelling and keen observations, making it one of the best literary fiction beach reads of 2024. Biblio Lifestyle

Four Squares is a work of immense literary generosity. Through the story of Artie Andersonat once an every(gay)man and an unforgettable protagonistFinger has braided together New York Citys queer past and its queer present, bringing a communitys joys, sorrows, and unsung heroes into the light. A witty, absorbing, and deeply loveable book. Daniel Lefferts, author of Ways and Means

Four Squares affirms what all of us hope is so: We can put our lives, our emotions on hold for only so long, pushing away contentment and, yes, joy with bitter resolve. When we can ignore happiness no longer, its there to welcome us, informed and enriched by that hurt and lossand somehow richer. Four Squares is just the Bobby Finger-taught life lesson I needed. Jeffrey Dale Lofton, author of Red Clay Suzie

Author Bio

Bobby Finger is the author of The Old Place, and cohost of the popular celebrity and entertainment podcast, Who Weekly. A Texas native, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.