You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
lesleygaisford's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
2.0
I make a point of reading banned books. As a librarian who is very interested in intellectual freedom and serving a diverse community, knowing those works that are most frequently challenged for removal is an important first step in being able to defend their place in the collection.
And, I've got to say, it would be a hard battle for me to defend this book, simply because I just REALLY didn't like it.
I'm not saying I'd step aside and allow the removal. I'd fight tooth and nail for this book. But I am so, so not qualified to find its better points. I just couldn't see them.
I suppose the main focus of a defense would have to be the depiction of gay life in London, pre-AIDS. Hollinghurst shows us an underground society making its first flirtatious steps towards outing itself, but still wholly devoted to protecting one another from discovery. Our narrator, William Beckwith, is a bit past his physical prime, but still devoted to the male form, both his own and everyone else's. It seems as if every page involves a few word description (or speculation) of someone's genitals, and every fifth page a liaison. It makes the plot feel a bit sparse and slow.
I think, in the end, it just comes down to me not being the intended audience. While I am queer, myself, I never had a raucous youth, or even really needed to hide myself. Thus, so much of this book simply would not resonate. Perhaps it would do best with a bit of an older crowd, but, at the same time, I think a lot of those older queer readers wouldn't be able to read this book without being pressed down by the shadow of the AIDS epidemic. Certainly I, throughout this book, found it quite jarring to see no mention of protection. It's become so standard in modern literature to put a condom on for any sexual act that you can almost hear historical romance writers fretting about their absence.
I can't see myself ever recommending this book for reading, but, again, I'd fight for it to remain. It's not for me, but it's for someone, and that's what matters.
And, I've got to say, it would be a hard battle for me to defend this book, simply because I just REALLY didn't like it.
I'm not saying I'd step aside and allow the removal. I'd fight tooth and nail for this book. But I am so, so not qualified to find its better points. I just couldn't see them.
I suppose the main focus of a defense would have to be the depiction of gay life in London, pre-AIDS. Hollinghurst shows us an underground society making its first flirtatious steps towards outing itself, but still wholly devoted to protecting one another from discovery. Our narrator, William Beckwith, is a bit past his physical prime, but still devoted to the male form, both his own and everyone else's. It seems as if every page involves a few word description (or speculation) of someone's genitals, and every fifth page a liaison. It makes the plot feel a bit sparse and slow.
I think, in the end, it just comes down to me not being the intended audience. While I am queer, myself, I never had a raucous youth, or even really needed to hide myself. Thus, so much of this book simply would not resonate. Perhaps it would do best with a bit of an older crowd, but, at the same time, I think a lot of those older queer readers wouldn't be able to read this book without being pressed down by the shadow of the AIDS epidemic. Certainly I, throughout this book, found it quite jarring to see no mention of protection. It's become so standard in modern literature to put a condom on for any sexual act that you can almost hear historical romance writers fretting about their absence.
I can't see myself ever recommending this book for reading, but, again, I'd fight for it to remain. It's not for me, but it's for someone, and that's what matters.
bendy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
hongjoongie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
rebeccark's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, a good bit boring and I should have given up on it and not pushed through to the end. The writing was well done but I couldn't get behind the plot - Will is a boring character who is petulant and childish and somehow only surrounds himself with gay men. You get tired of reading of the constant sex Will has, some only being described in a sentence or two as this happens often enough the author doesn't feel the need to elaborate on every single encounter. I am not prudish, but I also prefer the sex to be more of a plot point than something the character seems to do every day to function. His relationships with other characters are self-centered and a bit stunted. Normally a character I dislike can be endured through a good plot, but the plot felt meandering and only within the last chapter did things get clarified. It felt like there was no foreshadowing to what was supposed to be the major plot twist, and even the plot twist fell flat. I wouldn't run out and read another of this author's books without a strong recommendation from a trusted friend, which is disappointing considering his writing style is really quite good.
esshgee's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the overall story but found the book slow and dull in some parts. The main character Will is not particularly likeable, and neither is Charles Nantwich. I did like the "plot twist" and didn't see it coming, but it certainly took a long time to get there
timmi_prvt's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kathieboucher's review against another edition
3.0
For me, reading is a way to inhabit someone else's head for a while. I may not want to stay there permanently, but usually enjoy the diversion. Here, we visit the mind of Will Beckwith, an affable young upper class slacker in pre-AIDS Britain whose life is pretty much built around casual and anonymous sex. An opportunity for adding some principle and meaning to his life is dropped into his lap. Will he prove equal to the challenge?
The book is very well-written, and left me wanting more of some of the characters. The protagonist isn't a bad guy, just an empty guy.
It's interesting that the topic of AIDS plays no part in the book. Sad times are ahead for Will and his crew....
The book is very well-written, and left me wanting more of some of the characters. The protagonist isn't a bad guy, just an empty guy.
It's interesting that the topic of AIDS plays no part in the book. Sad times are ahead for Will and his crew....
lovecase's review against another edition
4.0
i laughed, cried, got bored, got unbored, was confused, got unconfused, and laughed all again. will you are one to remember omg