The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst

The Sparsholt Affair

Alan Hollinghurst

512 pages • first pub 2017 (editions)

fiction historical lgbtqia+ literary challenging reflective slow-paced

Description

In 1940, the handsome, athletic, and charismatic David Sparsholt arrives at Oxford University to study engineering, unaware of his effect on others--especially on Evert Dax, the lonely son of a celebrated novelist who is destined to become a write...

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Community Reviews Summary of 546 reviews

Moods

reflective 87%
emotional 56%
sad 31%
challenging 25%
funny 15%
dark 12%
hopeful 12%
adventurous 6%
inspiring 6%
mysterious 6%
relaxing 3%
tense 3%

Pace

slow 68%
medium 28%
fast 2%

Plot- or character-driven?

Character: 66% | A mix: 23% | Plot: 6% | N/A: 3%

Strong character development?

Yes: 74% | It's complicated: 12% | No: 12%

Loveable characters?

It's complicated: 60% | No: 26% | Yes: 13%

Diverse cast of characters?

No: 51% | Yes: 34% | It's complicated: 10% | N/A: 3%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 51% | It's complicated: 22% | No: 18% | N/A: 7%

Average rating

3.44

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Content Warnings

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