Excellent prose - but do we really need all that detail?

On reflection, I enjoyed listening to this. The narration was excellent - just the right sardonic time for the times. The writing is very beautiful too. The story moves slowly, but everything falls into place at the end, which is satisfying. But there is just too much explicit description of sex... it seems on every page. I do understand that this is an important theme... and I’m no prude, or I wouldn’t have chosen this book at all... but too much detail and too frequently just gets really tedious. If it was a paper book, I’d just skip those sections, but more difficult with audio.

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3 people found this helpful

My first Hollinghurst

5 years ago, a friend told me I should read Alan Hollinghurst, I didn't get round to it then but I'm so pleased I have now

Hollinghurst takes ordinary characters, and some extra-ordinary too, and allows them to tell their stories in compelling, often heary-wrenching, yet very human ways.

Jack, thanks for the reading list!

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Challenging but worth it

It's not an easy listen, but worth getting to the end. It's well narrated. The book moves well at the start. You get into the characters and the situations. The writer establishes the 80s well without being descriptive. But about two thirds into the book, it completely loses it's way and becomes dull. Not much happens for a while, and I was tempted to give up, but was glad I listened to the end. The book stayed on my mind for weeks after.

Possible spoiler.
At the start I expected to like Nick and feel sorry for him. He doesn't really do a lot. He just explores his sensuality. I felt kinship with him not being wealthy. But at the end I hated him. He's nothing but a leech, and an observer. Very polite. Almost a sycophant, but too boring. He just has nothing to him and no feeling or passion, and is extremely selfish. Perhaps a narcissist? Difficult to put my finger on it. He just watches really and tags along, and never really contributes. Interesting.

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Superb literature and narrator

An unforgettable novel with complex characters and wonderful prose, full of sardonic witticisms and insights. Brought to life by the excellent narration

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excellent writing and urgent listening

If you want to understand the political landscape of 1980s Britain, this is the novel. If you want to understand the history behind the current media morality panic about trans people, this is the novel. If you want to understand our current government, this is the novel.

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7 people found this helpful

Fascinating depiction, gorgeously written

I’m confused by the negative reviews of this book, which I can’t help feeling are fuelled (however subconsciously) by internalised homophobia… I understand the style and pace may not be for everyone, but in what way are class, politics and the AIDS epidemic ‘niche’ or uninteresting topics??

I found this a fantastically evocative, wry, observant and sad depiction of 80s Britain. Or, more specifically, of a young gay man’s experience brushing shoulders with the mega-wealthy/political elite in 80s Britain. Rich subject matter, deftly executed - the writing really is masterful.

It’s not a page turner exactly - it took me a while to get through - but I savoured every line, and finished with the overwhelming sense that this was a book I was going to remember for a long time.

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2 people found this helpful

Transcends Genre

Absolute masterpiece. Complex characters, a protagonist with ambiguous morals leads us through a portion of sex, drugs, politics & first love - all handled expertly. The reeason this book was so successful is due to its honesty & accuracy with a genuinely interesting story. Also the sadness, hypocrisy & betrayal that the author showcases - in 80’s London high society is subtle & powerful. A book you won’t forget

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1 person found this helpful

Holds your attention

Well crafted story from a good author. Very good reader. Enjoyable commentary on the 80's.

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A masterpiece!

Exquisite writing. Not a short book, but I was left longing for more! Highly recommended

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Boring

Aimed at a limited interest group. Cliche ridden. Hardly of interest to a wide audience.

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2 people found this helpful