The two are deeply affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic, with Charles being a dormant carrier and many of his friends dying.ĭavid keeps his heritage a secret from Charles. In 1993 David Bingham is a 25-year-old paralegal descended from Hawaiian royalty who has chosen to turn his back on his heritage and lives in New York City with Charles Griffiths, a wealthy older lawyer. Nevertheless, David decides to turn his back on his family and his grandfather disowns him. David agrees, but when he confesses to his grandfather, his grandfather reveals that he has had Edward investigated and found he is a conman and thief who has seduced wealthy men. However, when Edward returns with poor excuses for his absence, David abruptly cuts Charles off.Įdward suggests that David run away with him to California, where homosexuality is illegal but where he has the prospect of running a silk farm. During Edward's absence, David allows himself to be courted by Charles, engaging in a sexual relationship with him.

The two quickly enter into a love affair though it's broken off when Edward returns home.

David is immediately attracted to Edward and begins to seek him out. Around the same time, David meets a piano teacher at the school where he volunteers, Edward Bishop. He is introduced to Charles Griffiths, a middle-aged tradesman, in the hope they will marry. The Free States permit same-sex marriage, white women have the right to education and can vote, but the Free States deny Black people citizenship.ĭavid worries about remaining a bachelor all his life. In 1893 David Bingham is the 27-year-old high-strung grandson of Nathanial Bingham, a founder of the Free States. Though a bestseller, the novel received mixed reviews from critics. The book, Yanagihara's third, takes place in an alternate version of New York City, and has three sections, respectively set in 1893, 1993, and 2093. To Paradise is a 2022 novel by American novelist Hanya Yanagihara.

To paradise by hanya