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allenjd's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
allycd8's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sctittle's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely, lovely writing. I would give it five stars but I felt it dragged a bit towards the end. I need to read (or reread) his entire ouevre.
catarnott's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amjammi's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful at times, but uneven. I think I liked the first section best.
adamthomasjones's review against another edition
3.0
This was a plausible and well-written story, taking us through 70 years of upwardly-mobile British history, though I’m afraid I lost the thread as the book progressed - my fault, probably; I may have enjoyed it more had I saved it for a prolonged sitting, rather than having it as my ‘train book’, in 30 minute chunks.
More importantly, I feel as though I’m now reading Alan Hollinghurst out of a sense of duty rather than necessity. I’ve enjoyed his work less and less. Again, maybe it’s just me!
More importantly, I feel as though I’m now reading Alan Hollinghurst out of a sense of duty rather than necessity. I’ve enjoyed his work less and less. Again, maybe it’s just me!
kassiani's review against another edition
3.75
Audiobook version.
Well written (extremely British, first part set in WWII Oxford) and interesting pov changes across the narrative but I was just not that interested in the story.
Well written (extremely British, first part set in WWII Oxford) and interesting pov changes across the narrative but I was just not that interested in the story.
sfouts's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
2.5
b00kh0arder's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful novel that is by turns poignant, tender, witty and savage; sometimes all on the same page. A look at the changes and challenges faced by homosexuals in Britain through the twentieth century (pre and post its decriminalisation in 1967) and into the present day, as well as that peculiarly English form of denial and evasion. But, most importantly, a story about love, lust and their intermingling, where meticulous attention is paid to the nuances of conversation, and where what is not said or seen often holds more power than what is.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.