The Brightonians

By: Daren Kay

Narrated by: Hugh Ross

The Brightonians focuses upon the bitter rivalry and social one-upmanship that fuels the lives of a group of socialites who live in this far-from-quintessential seaside town.

Already vying for supremacy of their circle, the chance discovery of a 50-year-old letter belonging to a local drag queen takes their sparring to hilarious new heights. Initially leading to them back to the saucier side of Brighton in the swinging 60s–what they ultimately discover is even more shocking–connecting one of them to the past in ways that no-one could have imagined.

©2021 DAREN KAY (P)2025 DAREN KAY

Queer Britcom Romp

If anyone needs an unabashedly queer read that's pretty short and has a made for the screen feel to it (while somehow being quite believable) including a 70 year old drag queen, an immortal seagull, a himbo finding love (and sex), and mean girl (ungendered) socialites, check this out. It also weaves in a historical-inspired story and details that gives it all more depth and meaning. Admittedly I had some trouble following the time stamps by audio and took me awhile to be able to keep track of the rather large cast of characters for a relatively short book but that's a me problem, and it all came together (badum tssshhh) in the end.

A rollicking jolly ride

I want to go to Brighton!

I love that line (probably massacred) from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The regiment have gone there, and Lydia wants to follow. To be honest, that’s my only experience with this seaside English city.

Daren Kay’s book, however, takes me inside this lovely town and, more particularly, into gay culture from the 60s through to present time.

Now, the first POV of the story sort of threw me for a loop, but I quickly oriented myself and then was drawn into the story. A local icon – a true supporter of gay rights – has passed and word is spreading throughout the town.

As older folk reminisce, flashes from the past come back. Of a time when sodomy was illegal and before the AIDS crisis.
People within the community vie for top status. There’s stabbing in the back, climbing to the top while stepping on others, and general cattiness.

I loved it.

Secrets, though, are hard to keep hidden. A letter concealed for fifty years offers revelations that only a handful saw coming. A handful of people who are slowly passing away. Likely they thought they’d take those secrets to the grave. The truth, however, has a way of coming out and some of the revelations were nice and brought healing.

The parallel time line kept me enthralled and listening. I wanted to know what happened to everyone.

I will say Hugh Ross was the perfect narrator for this story. He just nailed every character and brought Daren’s story to life. I can’t wait for the next on and it’s queued now! Highly recommend.