Summary

The Great Believers is a novel told in a limited third-person perspective. opens with the scene of Nico’s funeral. Nico, one of Yale’s friends, has died of AIDS though his family refuses to admit this fact. Fiona, Nico’s sister, is there. Per Nico’s deathbed request, the group throws a party in honor of Nico’s life at their friend Richard Campo’s house. Tired, Yale goes to lie down. When he comes back down again, the group has gone to raid Nico’s apartment before Nico’s parents take everything. Charlie accuses Yale of sleeping with Teddy. He explains that Fiona told him that she had seen him and Teddy go upstairs together. Yale rejects the implication. While they sleep, a truck delivers Charlie's paper, which is a newsletter well-known and respected within the gay community.

The next day...