This is a volcanic journey into the soul of a winged red monster named Geryon It is queer comingofage love story a Greek myth retold and a modern classicTormented as a boy by his brother Geryon escapes to a parallel world of photography He falls deeply in love with Herakles a golden young man who deserts him at the peak of infatuation So Geryon retreats ever further into the world created by his camera fascinated by his wings his redness and the fantastic accident of who he is But all is suddenly and irrevocably shattered by Herakles returnAutobiography of Red is a deceptively simple narrative filled with currents of meaning emotion and the truth about what its like to be red An extraordinary modern epic poem moving disturbing and delightfulTotally engrossing Ocean VuongThis book is amazing I havent discovered any writing in years thats so marvellously disturbing Alice MunroA profound love storysensuous and funny poignant musical and tender Ruth Padel New York Times Book Review