I loved reading DEAR GOSEI. It deals with a very sensitive subject and manages to involve the reader in the lives of all the characters -good and bad-. I also liked the attention to detail, especially how California's nature and environment are described. It is a touching story and I was left wanting to know more about how the lives of the Forresters and especially John and Arnaud continued.

Perhaps what most defines the book are the absolutely rigorous descriptions, abundant, clean, and with a minimalist touch. At all times you know exactly the atmosphere you are in. If I call it a novel, I should probably call it a "psychological novel". Although I don't really like labels, everything in this work goes to support the main character, John (Gosei), his internal struggle, his teenage trauma, and then, when he decides to take his life into his own hands.

I think it is a very remarkable work. It treats a very delicate subject with courage, sensitivity, and depth. It does it with an absorbing and complex narration that gives voice to all the characters' points of view. There is a sense of a good writer in the book.

I think it is a powerful story, very well written, with rooted characters, well drawn and with a story that involves you until the end.

In one note, it is difficult to express my admiration because of the challenging nature of the novel, subtly carried. It is the passionate saga of a Californian family, magnificently describing the local setting and landscape. An awesome story about people of the same family who, like all families, are very heterogeneous. The characters are very human, well described in detail, which transport the reader to California, with its beaches and universities. I found Leocadia's character very nice. At no point does the story lose interest. The part about what happened to the Japanese population during the war is very descriptive.

A very American novel, like a classic of the '50s or '60s, with a Scott Fitzgerald feel, very cinematic

A moving story that explores family ties and belonging. When 14-year-old John Forrester becomes the victim of sexual abuse from a relative, his mother decides their wealthy family’s outward reputation takes precedent over everything, opting to conceal any details of the incident and insisting that John ignore what he thinks he remembers and to “move past” his strange feelings. The trajectory of John’s life changes inevitably, drastically— but as he grows older and as scars that couldn’t fully heal re-open, John seeks to learn the full truth about his past and resolve what he can, however he can. John’s story of self-discovery leaves readers emotional throughout Jorge Bosch’s debut novel Dear Gosei. The author skillfully delivers difficult and sensitive subject matter through graceful prose and a down-to-Earth narrative, and readers are presented a healthy mix of backstory and current events, complemented wonderfully by robust characterization and descriptions. Religion is extremely important to the Forrester family, as it is to many families, and it plays a part in their rejection and acceptance of John as well as John’s initial rejection and further acceptance of himself. “Respecting myself is necessary for my self-esteem, and I can never respect myself if I am dependent on others’ opinions, my parents’ approval, or what others think of me. All these years, I lost sight of who I am and what makes me happy, and it's time for me to find a solution." The narrative style of this story suggests the reader is also a character in it. Unforeseen consequences of the family’s actions make themselves apparent to the reader as they become apparent to John, but the reader can tell the gravity of the situation well before John can. Despite a relationship that has caused him much grief, John is willing and able to work with the family to continue honoring their Japanese heritage. Being a fifth-generation immigrant, or Gosei, helps John come to terms with who he is as a person and helps pave the way for repairing things with his family. "One thing he did know for sure was, time passes inexorably day after day. The time we spend on earth goes by more quickly than we realize. Certain things, people, and experiences become routine to us, and we come to take them for granted when, in reality, we should treat them as exceptional, since they can permanently disappear at the most unexpected moment." I would recommend this book to someone looking for a touching and complex, yet grounded story. Readers will admire Josh’s strength and intense desire to have his questions answered even if it’s not what he wants to hear, to make his own decisions not curated by family even if they have his “best interests” at heart, and to ultimately become his own person without hiding pieces of himself in shame. "I'm the same as always, but now I'm figuring out what's best for me."

We'll start with the title: "Gosei" is a fifth-generation Japanese immigrant, like the protagonist, John Forrester. In his youth, John was a bright student from California and a promising young man. Everyone was charmed by him and he was the pride of his family, along with his brothers Grant and Dede. The book addresses very sensitive topics and is divided into two parts, which allows us to appreciate how the atmosphere of the time was much more conservative, including the importance of the church. John used to visit his uncle Willy, who had a swimming pool where he could practice and eventually, he discovers a shady side with "parties" involving religious people, giving rise to problems. Suddenly, John's parents become concerned about his school performance; the boy falls asleep, he doesn't do his homework so they try and find an explanation. They connect the dots by learning that he was being abused by his uncle.

The second part, which takes place 12 years later, shows how John has moved on with his life, he has a girlfriend, attends college and leaves his dreams behind. However, past traumas come back to take their toll. The author makes an insightful critique of social classes, the hidden face of the church and the consequences faced by its victims. Furthermore, he explores the long-term damage and suffering caused by John's self-demand of wanting to please everyone while he searches for himself. Jorge, you have left me speechless, I had never read something like this in my life. Thank you very much, also for sharing your work with me.

Finally, I want to provide information about the book and I want to mention that there is an English version for those interested. You can get more information about where to buy it on the author's IG, because I will always recommend supporting emerging authors. It is also available on Amazon and Mercado Libre, among other sites.

I don't want to leave a lot of information, since I hope that you can enjoy the book for yourselves, but I am going to give a little personal assessment and opinion. It is a very emotional read with both dramatic and romantic touches that captivates the reader little by little.

The main character has an evolution from a teenage boy to an adult, going through very hard and complicated situations, showing that everything bad can be overcome (I loved John's evolution).

From the beginning, the protagonist will be very likable to the reader.  Some of you may even feel identified to some parts of the story. It deals with very current themes such as family rivalry, religious ideologies, personal frustrations and traumas that last over the years.  All this will trigger an evolution worthy of admiration in the main character, touching on delicate topics such as sexual abuse, homosexuality and depression.

Without a doubt a well-meaning work of art that is worth commenting on and sharing. CONGRATULATIONS Jorge, for your new book and for giving me the opportunity to enjoy it so much, a big hug and I wish you the best.

I really liked the story despite the fact that it deals with delicate topics such as sexual abuse and family pressure. The main character is very well constructed and keeps you hooked on his story throughout the entire reading. It is very worth reading.

There are situations that leave traces in the subconscious that modify our behavior. 'Dear Gosei' by Jorge Bosch is a novel that narrates a delicate scenario; played by John Forrester, a 26-year-old young man who tries to fix his life after being a victim of abuse. 'Dear Gosei' not only builds the consequences of a tragedy, but also confronts the hidden facts around it. The Forresters live in an alternate reality, dominated by religion, appearances and status.

It is remarkable how such a difficult and tough topic is addressed, bringing up mental health and the importance of a support network. It is noteworthy how, far from so many misfortunes, the protagonist has space to make his own decisions and put his emotions first. My only downside lies in the outcome since I expected a fairer closure or a greater weight in terms of who to blame.

This is a wonderful book that, unfortunately, deals with a problem present in our society: child abuse. Our protagonist, John, is the victim of a person he loves and trusts, his uncle Willy, his mother's brother.  The poor boy, apart from suffering the trauma, belongs to a wealthy and Catholic family, who prefer to protect their public image and decide to hide and not reveal what has happened. We will see how all this creates problems, insecurities, etc. for him for many years.

When he turns twenty-six years old, he stands up and wants to clarify everything that happened in the past... Will he forgive his uncle for what he did? Will he forgive his mother for hiding it? Will he find a partner who will make him truly happy? The answers to all these questions are in this book, in  story that I recommend reading.  It touches you deep, deep inside.

There is a side story which he explains what the word Gosei means, and what happened during World World War II to the Japanese who lived in the United States.

It's a story that when you start reading it, you won't be able to stop until the end.

Gosei (五世, literally, "fifth generation"): Japanese language term used to name children born from Japanese immigrants.  Jorge Bosch’s debut novel is a story of self-discovery that explores controversial topics such as childhood sexual abuse and the trauma it can generate, even years later, in victims.

John Forrester is a young man from a wealthy family, an athlete and a good student, who at the age of 14 is a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his uncle. To avoid scandal and bad reputation, his mother will decide to keep the event a secret, tarnishing the youth of her son.  He will  see his world and everything he had fought for falls apart. Over the years, John will decide to face his past in order to face his future.

“Dear Gosei” is not an easy read because of the topics it addresses, but these are treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity. John's story is determined by his family and social context, marked by deep religious beliefs and the need to maintain a status among his peers and the fear of what they will say or think. This is, in my opinion, the main criticism that the novel makes, pointing out those who prioritize appearances, who close their eyes and turn a deaf ear to the reality they are living.  Also those that don’t hesitate to consider the appearance of success and happiness more important than the damage that this can cause to the affected person.

The novel is divided into two distinct parts, the first with John as a child, who is not fully aware of what is happening to him; and the second, when he is already at the university. He not only has to face the discovery of his own sexuality, but he must revisit what happened to him as a child to try to heal and be able to go ahead. On the trip we will witness his enormous resilience, experiencing great growth and learning to make his own decisions and live for himself, and no longer living according to the wishes of others.

The story addresses interesting topics such as the consequences that an event of the magnitude of abuse can have on mental health, especially when those who should be your greatest support become accomplices.  How something that you don't fully understand at the time can acquire its full meaning years later, and how those ghosts from the past can prevent you from moving forward unless you face them head on; or how that self-demand to please others and be what others expect of you, makes you end up canceling yourself.  

The characters are well drawn, and all, in one way or another, experience some type of evolution throughout the novel. The narrative has a more introspective tone, so the pace is quite slow, sometimes stagnating with overly long scenes that become somewhat repetitive. Whether or not you share the way the story is resolved, the outcome invites reflection about forgiveness and the ability to forgive.

John Forrester’s upbringing, marked by privilege within a well-to-do family, might suggest a life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite his affable nature and intelligence, John’s existence is marred by familial challenges: a father with rigid religious beliefs, a distant mother, and the overshadowing presence of an older brother. These complexities form the backdrop of his relatively carefree childhood until a harrowing event at 14 alters his trajectory, casting him into a world of uncertainty. The once vibrant and hopeful young man now stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the decision between forgiveness and vengeance.

Dear Gosei distinguishes itself as a nuanced exploration of the aftermath of sexual abuse, taking the reader on an emotional journey that is as unsettling as it is profound. The narrative centers around John, whose resilience and inner strength in adversity are heart-wrenching and admirable. His character is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for courage and endurance. The portrayal of John’s mother invokes a complex mix of emotions, from frustration over her apparent neglect to a reluctant empathy for her choices. Similarly, Douglas, John’s father, initially appears dismissive, yet as the story unfolds, his infuriating actions become somewhat understandable within the broader context of their fractured family dynamics. While Dear Gosei confronts the reader with the uncomfortable realities of abuse, it is ultimately a narrative imbued with hope. The characters are skillfully crafted to evoke a spectrum of responses, from anger and perplexity to empathy and tears. The book challenges readers to navigate the murky waters of moral ambiguity, understanding, and forgiveness. It serves as a beacon, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is a healing potential and a better tomorrow.

For those seeking a story that offers more than mere escapism, one that provides a raw yet inspiring examination of the human condition, Dear Gosei will resonate deeply. It is a compelling read for mature audiences, promising a glimpse into the trials and triumphs of its characters and a reflection on the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.

Dear Gosei engages from the first pages with its impeccable and enveloping prose. The story is also shocking, so it will not leave anyone indifferent. A highly recommended reading.