A powerful new voice of gay working-class life This eloquent heart-felt debut pulls the reader right beside him a writer of real talent. Guardian. The Whale Tattoo is remarkable. A potent tale of grief, love and ultimately forgiveness. The Spectator. Debut of the year 2022 Guardian. A bold, brilliant and beautiful debut. Suzannah Dunn. If you only read one debut novel this year make it this one. The Whale Tattoo is a book of visceral, magnetic raw pulsating beauty. A mesmeric, gritty tour de force. Attitude Magazine. A stunning achievement - one of the most impressive and assured debuts I ve ever read Matt Cain