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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read about 1/3 into the book and couldn't get into it, decided to switch to another.
Feel a bit hoodwinked here. It's just another memoir about being a closeted gay, scholarship schoolboy in Britain in the 1960s.
I requested and received an eARC of Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst via NetGalley. I’ve always enjoyed Hollinghurst’s work, The Line of Beauty particularly, so when I saw this title I jumped on the opportunity and was so pleased when my request was granted. His latest novel follows the life of protagonist Dave Win over the course of half a century. The novel opens with Dave musing over the political trajectory of former schoolboy chum, Giles Hadlow, a favorite of the conservatives. The narrative then recedes in time and we meet Dave at thirteen as he visits the Hadlows, who sponsor his scholarship at a local boarding school. It is here that he is exposed not only to Giles’ vile behavior, but also the power of acting. The story follows Dave’s growth into maturity, his acting career, the friends and loves who have impacted his life, and his experiences as a gay, biracial man.
What an absolutely wonderful read and insightful character study. Hollinghurst does an admirable job capturing the feeling of what it means to be “other” and to constantly have one’s identity questioned and distrusted in subtle, yet very effective moments. There is a section where Dave experiences the pangs of first love and I was moved by the wonderful mixture of insecurity and certainty he expresses. It felt so real and so familiar. Another element of the novel that was so very touching for me was the relationship between Dave and his mother. Hollinghust captures the love between these characters, the painful moments of adolescent parental embarrassment, and that very specific recognition of our parent’s humanity that we all stumble upon at some point as growing adults.
This book sparked a range of emotions for me. I smiled for Dave, I cried for him. I was so completely drawn into his world, thanks to Hollinghurst’s incredible ability to capture a scene. The prose dissects art, politics, and love in a very clear, assured way that feels masterful. The author is able to craft characters with such perception, cutting down characters like Giles to size, while making others (such as Esme) all the more endearing. This book was quite moving and an immense pleasure to read. It reminded me of Hollingurst’s earlier work, The Line of Beauty, with hints of Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time. Our Evenings was one of the most memorable reads I’ve enjoyed this year and I’m confident the protagonist will occupy a corner of my mind for some time to come.
What an absolutely wonderful read and insightful character study. Hollinghurst does an admirable job capturing the feeling of what it means to be “other” and to constantly have one’s identity questioned and distrusted in subtle, yet very effective moments. There is a section where Dave experiences the pangs of first love and I was moved by the wonderful mixture of insecurity and certainty he expresses. It felt so real and so familiar. Another element of the novel that was so very touching for me was the relationship between Dave and his mother. Hollinghust captures the love between these characters, the painful moments of adolescent parental embarrassment, and that very specific recognition of our parent’s humanity that we all stumble upon at some point as growing adults.
This book sparked a range of emotions for me. I smiled for Dave, I cried for him. I was so completely drawn into his world, thanks to Hollinghurst’s incredible ability to capture a scene. The prose dissects art, politics, and love in a very clear, assured way that feels masterful. The author is able to craft characters with such perception, cutting down characters like Giles to size, while making others (such as Esme) all the more endearing. This book was quite moving and an immense pleasure to read. It reminded me of Hollingurst’s earlier work, The Line of Beauty, with hints of Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time. Our Evenings was one of the most memorable reads I’ve enjoyed this year and I’m confident the protagonist will occupy a corner of my mind for some time to come.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
Alan has done it again. My third Hollinghurst now, and each one hits the spot. 500 pages but never did I feel the pace or interest slacken.
A biracial boy growing up in rural England develops into a man driven by the beauty of literature and the male form, but haunted by discrimation, prejudice, and feelings of insufficiency.
I thought Hollinghurst's branching out to exploring race as well as sexuality as a locus generative of narrative tension was brave, and ultimately successful. I hope he doesn't receive small-minded criticism for speaking "beyond his lived experience."
Dramatic interest is propelled by Dave's sense of indebtedness to the Hadlows, to whom he owes his privileged schooling and with him he never seems to lose touch. The book is quite "political", both in social identity and policy senses.
Hollinghurst has a knack for capturing a feeling in words both accurate and beautiful. This book will be a pleasure for any who share his obvious pleasure in the arts and language.
A biracial boy growing up in rural England develops into a man driven by the beauty of literature and the male form, but haunted by discrimation, prejudice, and feelings of insufficiency.
I thought Hollinghurst's branching out to exploring race as well as sexuality as a locus generative of narrative tension was brave, and ultimately successful. I hope he doesn't receive small-minded criticism for speaking "beyond his lived experience."
Dramatic interest is propelled by Dave's sense of indebtedness to the Hadlows, to whom he owes his privileged schooling and with him he never seems to lose touch. The book is quite "political", both in social identity and policy senses.
Hollinghurst has a knack for capturing a feeling in words both accurate and beautiful. This book will be a pleasure for any who share his obvious pleasure in the arts and language.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
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