By Laura Moreno
Chris DelSalvo (pen name of Christian Ramirez) has written “The Late Hour, Stories for the Insomniac: Volume III – Confessions.” It is stand-alone literary novel that centers around a man who has spent his life hiding behind liquor to escape the pain of a teenage tragedy. When an unexpected affair opens old wounds, Ray is forced to confront decades of unresolved grief, shame, and the crushing weight of secrets.
By far, “Volume III – Confessions” is the most personal installment of “The Late Hour: Stories for the Insomniac” series. It is a raw, unflinching look at gay identity and faith.
As the emotional core of the series, the book features compelling writing and an immediacy that creates an intimate connection with readers, making us feel we are experiencing the character’s turmoil firsthand. DelSalvo’s character-driven narrative is grounded in real honesty and stands out for its authentic portrayal of Latino identity.
To give an overview of the trilogy set in Southern California, “Volume I” uses a late-night radio broadcast called “The Other Realm” to welcome readers into a dark, atmospheric universe of urban suspense. The collection features late-night vignettes focused on the deep tension between what people hide and what they show about their lives to the world.
“Volume II” has new characters navigating tense, late-night dilemmas. In one story, “One Way Love,” a character undertakes a dangerous journey through flooded streets during a hurricane to see his girlfriend.
The narrative structure of “Volume III” mirrors DelSalvo’s own internal struggles, moving between past and present to show how seemingly small choices can lead to life-altering consequences. It is a nuanced, unapologetic portrait of a man at a crossroads.
One of the major strengths of this volume is its fearless approach to difficult subject matter. DelSalvo allows space for grief, for doubt, for the messy process of reconciling different aspects of identity. He is willing to sit with uncomfortable truths.
For example, Ray’s journey is deeply rooted in his conservative evangelical upbringing. He had never even tasted decadent store-bought candy. The book explores how religious views can become sources of both comfort and cognitive dissonance as he comes to terms with his sexuality. In retrospect, DelSalvo’s spiritual foundation adds a crucial dimension to the narrative that is an important part of his search for grace, acceptance, and self-acceptance.
“The Late Hour: Volume III – Confessions” is a significant contribution to LGBT literature. It fills an important niche in candidly addressing the specific challenges faced by those dealing with family expectations. Both deeply personal and universally resonant, this book is a testament to the author’s commitment to telling stories that matter.
Excerpt:
“I got us covered.” Crystal reached into her bag and pulled out three Capri Suns.
I tried to peek inside her backpack. “What else do you have in there? A rabbit?”
She zipped the bag shut before I could get a good look inside. “Guess you’ll never know.” With a smirk, she tossed each of us a yellow, fun-size bag of peanut M&M’s.
“Start the movie, man,” I said, savoring the chocolate. I didn’t tell them, but it was the first candy I’d ever tasted, and it was per- fect. “I’m literally on the clock.”
Gus tore into his bag with his teeth and hit play. “Groovy, baby.”
And just like that, the marathon began — four days straight, two movies a day. The Fly. Pulp Fiction. RoboCop, to name a few. During those screenings, Gus kept a running commentary, dropping trivia between bites of candy and laughter. “The director of RoboCop almost passed on it,” he said during one pause. “Thought it sounded dumb. But his wife read the script and told him to give it another shot.”
“Where did you hear that?” I asked Crystal.
Gus replied, “E!” He kept going. “He also did Basic Instinct and Starship Troopers. Totally underrated director.”
“I’ll buy that for a dollar,” Crystal deadpanned, nailing the delivery.
With each tape ejected, it became clearer just how much these movies meant to them. The way they quoted lines, reenacted scenes, and debated characters–I realized I hadn’t just been watching films. I was being let into their circle. Into their language. We finished the marathon with Edward Scissorhands, and that one hit differently. A soft-spoken outsider. A love he couldn’t have. A town turned against him by a self-righteous zealot. It felt like watching my own life reflected at me, wrapped in fairy-tale tragedy.
Artist’s website: https://winestoneent83.wixsite.com/christianramirez
“The Late Hour, Stories for the Insomniac: Volume III – Confessions” by Chris DelSalvo, www.barnesandnoble.com, $15.99.