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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
A slow and thoughtful story, quietly told through writing of such depth and subtlety. And the audio version was equally superb. Spanning 7 decades we first meet bi-racial David Win, son of an English mother and Burmese father whom he has never met, as a 14 year old boarder at a prestigious school in the 1960s. He’s a scholarship holder sponsored by the philanthropic Hadlow family, avid arts supporters. We follow David’s life as he progresses to Oxford, eventually leaving to chance his hand at an acting career, which, after many years of struggle, he eventually makes a success of. So many themes as his life unfolds, one of which being his coming-of-age as a gay man. Totally character driven, the book explores in depth his relationship with his beloved seamstress mother, as well as his various, intense love affairs. The Hadlows also continue to be major influences in his life and good friends. However, their son, Giles, a merciless bully to David when they are at school together, remains a nemesis to him throughout their adult lives. A wonderful study of prejudice - racial, sexual and class, as David experiences them all as a sensitive and insightful man. The story of his life culminates in the Covid pandemic, having covered many other British societal and political events that see David into his 70s. Such a beautifully written but incredibly sad ending.
A book that falls off the bone. It took me a beat or two to chomp into Hollinghurst's writing, but once I was securely fastened it felt so good to read.
Much of the coming-of-age, queer literature that I've read of late gives its protagonists a quiet self confidence that defies the structure I'm used to in gay fiction. Instead of centering the conflict of their inner struggle around coming to terms with their sexuality (a la, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens and other books I read as a young gay boy), these recent books contain characters that are aware of their inherent worth, whose internal frictions center on navigating and creating space in resistant societies and unorthodox relationships. It's refreshing.
Much of the coming-of-age, queer literature that I've read of late gives its protagonists a quiet self confidence that defies the structure I'm used to in gay fiction. Instead of centering the conflict of their inner struggle around coming to terms with their sexuality (a la, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens and other books I read as a young gay boy), these recent books contain characters that are aware of their inherent worth, whose internal frictions center on navigating and creating space in resistant societies and unorthodox relationships. It's refreshing.
emotional
reflective
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Life is too short to read well written beautiful stories where nothing really happens. Perhaps I’ll pick it up again.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated