A review by the_eggelstone
Trio by William Boyd

4.0

My first novel by William Boyd and I really like the characterizations, language and wit of the book. The stories of three characters linked to a movie shoot in 1968 in Brighton are all well drawn and interesting even though it becomes soon clear that the titular ‚Trio‘ is in fact more of a ‚Duo‘.

The storyline of the alcoholic novelist felt a little unconnected to the other two and I was wondering when her story would intertwine stronger with the other characters. But this never really materialized.

Even though I liked reading the book a lot, it felt at times a bit random in its plot. There was never a real cohesive story or drama or intrigue going on it fell at times a bit fluff.

The closeted movie producer Talbot Kydd turned out to be the most interesting character in the end with a much more satisfying ending than that of Anny Viklund, the famous actress. I found her fate in the end a rather lazy cop-out of something that was building up all novel long.

To sum it up: Loves the characters, the language and the style of the story, which could have been a bit more focused and stringent.