I read this book on Nat’s recommendation. It is beautifully written but I feel that it’s a case of style over content. The discussion of beauty and aesthetics was boring to me and I know nothing about Henry James so couldn’t relate to that at all. The explicit sex scenes didn’t seem to serve any purpose. Having listened to Hollinghurst discussing the book after I’d finished it, it seems that I’ve missed a number of nuances in this novel. Perhaps it’s just too clever for me.

The protagonist does have painfully perceptive moments which startled me with their insight, such as when Nick’s parents meet the Feddens he is embarassed by them in small ways such as the smallness of the drinks his father makes and how small his parents seem physically to Gerald Fedden. I feel the same about my parents sometimes. Other than a few episodes of this kind I couldn’t find a great deal to connect with in this book. All the characters, with the sole exception of Catherine, are false and unlikeable. Having said all that, I’m glad I finished reading it. I found the pace rather slow except in the final part (of three) which contains the highest proportion of plot and in which loose ends are finally tied up. There is a some satisfaction to be had when major characters get their comeuppance at the end but this is no What a Carve Up! and, as if to reflect his wishy-washiness, the protagonist’s fate is left ambiguous.