The Swimming-pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst

The Swimming-pool Library

Alan Hollinghurst

288 pages • first pub 1988 (view editions)

fiction historical lgbtqia+ literary reflective medium-paced
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This book is ideal for readers who appreciate introspective explorations of LGBTQIA+ history and privilege through layered, character-driven narratives that intertwine personal and societal revelations.

Description

A literary sensation and bestseller both in England and America, The Swimming-Pool Library is an enthralling, darkly erotic novel of homosexuality before the scourge of AIDS; an elegy, possessed of chilling clarity, for ways of life that can no lo...

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Community Reviews

3.42
based on 1,107 reviews

Moods

reflective: 72%

emotional: 39%

challenging: 32%

dark: 27%

sad: 25%

mysterious: 19%

funny: 18%

tense: 16%

lighthearted: 12%

adventurous: 6%

informative: 5%

inspiring: 4%

hopeful: 3%

relaxing: 2%

Pace

3% of readers chose fast
51% of readers chose medium
45% of readers chose slow
fast
medium
slow

Plot or character driven?

3% of readers chose Plot
23% of readers chose A mix
70% of readers chose Character
2% of readers chose N/A
Plot
A mix
Character
N/A

Strong character development?

23% of readers chose Yes
40% of readers chose Complicated
35% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Loveable characters?

13% of readers chose Yes
33% of readers chose Complicated
50% of readers chose No
2% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Diverse cast of characters?

45% of readers chose Yes
19% of readers chose Complicated
32% of readers chose No
3% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus?

72% of readers chose Yes
16% of readers chose Complicated
9% of readers chose No
2% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Content Warnings

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