Love in Exile

Faye sets out to deconstruct her topics through thoroughly researched and accessibly delivered political and social theory, providing radical ways of thinking… her discussions are expansive and wholly empathetic…The weaving through of memoir is equally compelling… The greatest strength of Love in Exile, though, is Faye’s optimism. She is resolute in her belief that human beings are capable of great compassion, both to each other and ourselves. – Alim Kheraj * The i paper *Much of Faye’s writing is deeply personal, but a political thesis underpins Love in Exile… [it] is sincere in a way that reminds me of bell hooks’ 1999 book All About Love… Her writing will shake your illusions about love, but remind you of the value of even attempting it – Kitty Drake * The Guardian *Seamlessly blending memoir and social theory... Faye examines the elision of love, validation and addiction with such lucidity as to knock the wind out of you – Emma Loffhagen * The Standard *Love in Exile is lyrical and often laugh-out-loud funny… shot through with warmth, solidarity and a kind of expansive, sororal love for the world, it’s a bracing and often sad book – but never a depressing one… – James Greig * Dazed *Writing about love is an ancient practice, yet Faye brings a sharp, warm and illuminating analysis to the contemporary state of affairs – with some unexpected diversions, like her relationship with Catholicism… Love in Exile is set to be the must-read book of 2025 – Vic Parsons * Gay Times *Part memoir, part political education, Love in Exile explores Faye’s honest sentiments about feeling lonely and unlovable, her addiction to love and alcohol, and where these feelings stem from… intertwined with rich and thoroughly researched chapters about other aspects of love, such as obligatory love through motherhood, religious love, friendship, forgiveness, and so much more. – Annie Lord * AnOther *Love in Exile is a book that gets extremely honest… it mixes memoir with a broader examination of love – romantic, familial, friendship… The book, like Faye in conversation, is intelligent, funny and never obvious in its exploration of its subject – Lladán Hynes * Irish Independent *A deeply personal memoir… the book does not ultimately make for depressing reading. In many ways, it’s a love letter to love – the types of love found in community, among friends, and – if they’re done right – within relationships. – Lottie Elton * Big Issue *An account of how and why we define our own self-worth in terms of love. Faye has a perspective and style that is distinctly her own but offers insight and enlightenment that is appealingly universal * Vogue, ‘Best Books of 2025’ *A brilliantly perceptive manifesto on love in all its forms * Independent’s ‘Best books to look out for in 2025’ *

Shon Faye is author of the acclaimed bestseller The Transgender Issue. Her work has been published in, among others, the Guardian, Independent, British Vogue and VICE. She writes an advice column, Dear Shon, for Vogue. Born in Bristol, she now lives in London.