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dreaming_ace's review against another edition
4.0
So this is a book where I enjoyed the premise more than I enjoyed the execution. It was a big epic multi-generational novel which explored what it has meant to be LGBTQ+ throughout multiple generations and multiple stages of life. My struggle was like other grand epic multi-generational novels there were too many characters to keep track of which meant that parts were a challenge to get through but this is the type of book I am glad exists even if I struggled reading it.
oflifeandstuff's review
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a book about the development of gay culture in the UK upper classes from WWII to the present day, as seen through the eyes of Johnny, the son of a life-long closeted queer Oxford student/war hero/engineering tycoon. The father becomes sexually/romantically involved with two influential men when Johnny is a teenager, which causes a scandal that haunts Johnny’s life. Through his work as an art restorer and portrait painter he becomes intertwined with his father’s former Oxford pals.
This family saga come queer history come Bildungsroman somehow manages to have no likeable characters, none of whom seem to ever learn anything. It misses for me, as the set-up makes the reader expect a different story than the one that was told: there seems to be no plot or character development, we just follow these people. I liked that Johnny was openly gay and seemed happier than his father, but this was undermined in the last chapter through his multiple affairs with much younger, vulnerable men after the death of his long-term partner. Given that the set-up was about Johnny’s father, I would have liked to know more about him and why he, after the scandal, ultimately remarried with a woman and never seemed to connect with Johnny over their shared experience of queerness.
That being said, Hollinghurst is an amazing writer of prose, which made the individual scenes a joy to read, even if the overall concept was lacking.
This family saga come queer history come Bildungsroman somehow manages to have no likeable characters, none of whom seem to ever learn anything. It misses for me, as the set-up makes the reader expect a different story than the one that was told: there seems to be no plot or character development, we just follow these people. I liked that Johnny was openly gay and seemed happier than his father, but this was undermined in the last chapter through his multiple affairs with much younger, vulnerable men after the death of his long-term partner. Given that the set-up was about Johnny’s father, I would have liked to know more about him and why he, after the scandal, ultimately remarried with a woman and never seemed to connect with Johnny over their shared experience of queerness.
That being said, Hollinghurst is an amazing writer of prose, which made the individual scenes a joy to read, even if the overall concept was lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Death, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Bullying, Cancer, Sexual content, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Infidelity
nichecase's review against another edition
4.0
hollinghurst is surely the best living prose stylist - the way he makes a grindr meeting, a club night, a funeral *sparkle* is testament to his utter skill in the realm of prose
brettcarl's review against another edition
What. A. Bore!
Overwrought prose in which vagueness is mistaken for subtlety, and confusion for mystery.
The blurb purposely distorts the actual plot which is completely different to the the expectations the blurb prompts.
Literally, I have no idea what Hollinghurst was attempting and intending here. In fact, I don't think he knows himself either.
What a disappointment of a novel and what a terrible introduction to a critically-acclaimed author who is highly-regarded and noted for his contributions to gay fiction.
Overwrought prose in which vagueness is mistaken for subtlety, and confusion for mystery.
The blurb purposely distorts the actual plot which is completely different to the the expectations the blurb prompts.
Literally, I have no idea what Hollinghurst was attempting and intending here. In fact, I don't think he knows himself either.
What a disappointment of a novel and what a terrible introduction to a critically-acclaimed author who is highly-regarded and noted for his contributions to gay fiction.
shoulberg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review
2.0
I did not finish this novel, which always makes me loathe to review. But since I received the kind opportunity to review from Knopf, I feel the obligation to report something. Since this is a DNF, get out that grain of salt.
"The Sparsholt Affair" follows the spirit of many novels since Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited"--young men at university whose friendships will last beyond the college experience. Divided into a number of points of view, it covers seventy years of relationships.
I could not make headway. I didn't take to anyone and each page seemed harder and harder. Let's not forget, I'm not only a Greedy Reader, I'm a moody one. I might go back to this novel at some time in the future and love every page.
So, you will not be swept up and carried away by the story. Alan Hollinghurst is a fine stylist but "The Sparsholt Affair" takes effort to see it through.
"The Sparsholt Affair" follows the spirit of many novels since Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited"--young men at university whose friendships will last beyond the college experience. Divided into a number of points of view, it covers seventy years of relationships.
I could not make headway. I didn't take to anyone and each page seemed harder and harder. Let's not forget, I'm not only a Greedy Reader, I'm a moody one. I might go back to this novel at some time in the future and love every page.
So, you will not be swept up and carried away by the story. Alan Hollinghurst is a fine stylist but "The Sparsholt Affair" takes effort to see it through.
sash512's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
I have never been so bored reading a book. If I hadn't had to read it for class would have dnf'd after first 20 pages.
tackling_the_tbrs's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kate_czech's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0