The Case of Alan Turing

Lambda Literary Award finalist

Alan Turing, subject of the Oscar-winning 2014 film The Imitation Game, was the brilliant mathematician solicited by the British government to help decipher messages sent by Germany's Enigma machines during World War II. The work of Turing and his colleagues at Hut 8 saved countless lives and millions' worth of British goods and merchandise.

At the same time, as a homosexual he was forced to lead a tortured, secret life. After a young man stole money from him, he went to the police, where he confessed his homosexuality; he was charged with gross indecency and only avoided prison after agreeing to undergo chemical castration. Tragically, he committed suicide two years later.

The particulars of Turing's achievements were only made known in 2012, following the release of once-classified papers. Authors Liberge and Delalande used this information to create a graphic biography that is scientifically rigorous yet understandable for the lay reader.

Delving deeper into Turing's life than The Imitation Game, this graphic work is an intimate portrayal of a brilliant gay man living in an intolerant world.