Yesterday is history by Kosoko Jackson

When 17 year-old cancer patient, Andre, is gifted a life-saving liver transplant, he also acquires the ability to time-travel, and sets in motion two love stories that span 50 years.

Andre finds himself travelling back to his neighbourhood in Boston, 1969 where he meets 18 year old Michael and the two form an instant attraction. Back home, in 2021, Andre is being tutored in time travel by his donor’s brother Blake and despite some initial antagonism, as Blake grieves the death of his brother, those two also begin a romantic relationship.

Dramatically, there comes a point where Andre’s life is again under threat and he must decide whether to stay with Michael, or return to Blake.

These three characters are flawed but extremely likeable, and the relationships that develop are both tender and tense, totally realistic and a delight to follow as they progress to their inevitable end.

This is the story of a gay black youth working out who he wants to be and realising that he can determine his future, both personal and career, to achieve this, rather than follow the path that well-meaning family have planned for him.

Writing from his own identity as a gay black man, Jackson uses the time travel element to make the reader aware of the conditions that gay men experienced in the late 1960s, and the reality of being black in contemporary America; as issues of safety, discrimination, identity and privilege arise in both.

Throughout the novel, Andre ponders the importance of scientific thinking and knowledge, and observes ways of dealing with death, grief and alcohol/drug use as the various characters work through these issues.

Essentially a YA romance, this is an enjoyable read with enough social commentary to flesh it out and make it a highly recommended read.

Themes: Cancer, Time travel, Romance, LGBTQI, Own voices.

Margaret Crohn