The Disappearers
Marlon James presents *The Disappearers*, a novel set in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1988. Eight men who do not know one another begin rehearsing a play, united by the fact that they are gay and must navigate the danger and hostility directed at them. When a mob attacks them and kills one of their number, the survivors face physical and emotional recovery while confronting hatred, rage, and competing impulses toward silence or revenge.
The evening includes a conversation between James and Lily Meyer, followed by a signing line with the author. Ticket holders will also receive a limited-edition poster.
When: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Betts, 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052
Format: Author conversation and book event, followed by a signing line
Featured book: *The Disappearers: A Novel*, forthcoming in hardcover from Marlon James
Premise: The novel explores queer life in Jamaica during the 1980s and 1990s through the experiences of eight men whose theatrical rehearsals are disrupted by violence. Their survival forces them to reckon with the social pressures, hatred, and consequences surrounding the attack.
Marlon James: James is the Booker Prize–winning and *New York Times* bestselling author of *A Brief History of Seven Killings*, *Black Leopard, Red Wolf*, *Moon Witch, Spider King*, *The Book of Night Women*, and *John Crow’s Devil*. His honors include the American Book Award, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, and Los Angeles Times Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction. His work has also been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the NAACP Image Award. *Time* named him one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2019. Born in Jamaica, James lives in New York City.
Conversation partner: Lily Meyer
Lily Meyer: Meyer is a translator, critic, and novelist. Her books include *Short War* and the 2026 novel *The End of Romance*. She is a staff writer at *The Atlantic*, and her fiction and translations have appeared in *The Dial*, *The Drift*, *The Sewanee Review*, *The Southern Review*, and other publications.
Tickets: Price not available
Event benefits: Attendees receive a limited-edition poster with their ticket, and the event concludes with a signing line with Marlon James.
Ages: No age restriction stated.
Run time: Not stated.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or ask accessibility questions, email events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. Requests made closer to the event will be accommodated when possible.
Related book price: *The Disappearers: A Novel* is listed for preorder at $32.00 in hardcover, with a publication date of September 1, 2026.