Four Squares

Narrator David Pittu offers a bright presentation of Finger’s second humorous and wise novel (after The Old Place). The story follows Artie Anderson, a gay man living in New York City, across two timelines—in 1992, when Artie is 30, and in 2022, when a 60-year-old Artie encounters a new community and found family in the wake of long-standing grief. In 1992, Artie and his three close friends try to find sparks of joy, even as the queer community faces the continued outbreak of HIV/AIDS. In 2022, after the death of his partner Abe, Artie has closed himself off, accepting only his partner’s ex-wife Vanessa and her daughter Halle into his inner circle in hopes of preventing further grief. When they both move away, he finds himself alone and further isolated by a sudden injury. A reluctant Artie finds help and support within the tight-knit community of GALS, a local center for queer seniors. Pittu’s warm narration perfectly captures both the hopeful 30-year-old Artie and the down-on-his-luck 60-year-old Artie.