The Queer Thing About Sin

A bold and beautifully written quest for the queer in antiquity. * Tom Holland *This book is brilliant and mind-bending… My god, this book is needed. History has never seemed more alive, more vital, more dangerous, and more wonderful. * Russell T Davies *Illuminating and timely. * The Reverend Richard Coles *“An extremely compelling proposition which asks, with personal urgency, how a religion of love can also - somehow - end up as a religion of pain.” * Alain de Botton *This scintillating history shows how economic crises have led ancient and modern societies to demonize queer love. It could not be more timely. * Orlando Reade, author of What Is In Me is Dark: The Revolutionary Life of Paradise Lost *Learned, nuanced, intelligent and fascinating, this is a vital new work of queer scholarship. * Patrick Ness, author of Release and The Rest of Us Just Live Here *Scholarly, immersive, and vital history of queer intolerance. * Kirkus Reviews *[An] impressive debut study. Expansive yet fast-paced, it’s a captivating reimagining of the politics of queer desire. * Publisher’s Weekly *A powerful and informative exploration of the history of homophobia and where it came from. Still a pressing issue today, this is a book every queer person and ally should read! – Sally Pattle * The Booksellers Circle *An affirming and absorbing look at queer antiquity. * Library Journal *If you skip this book, you’re missing out on the kind of excitement you get from reading mythology — but what’s here is true, and a much wider view than mere folklore. * Seattle Gay News *

Dr Harry Tanner earned his PhD in Ancient Greek at the National University of Ireland, Galway. As a teenager, he was an evangelical Christian and came to believe homosexuality was a sin. After a period as an atheist, he is open once again to spirituality and religion, and lives a fulfilled gay life in London where he writes and teaches ancient languages and history. The Queer Thing About Sin is his first book.