Excellent study of temptation and ambiguity
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Classic novel from 1952: Lead character Bernard Sands is a successful novelist, about to launch a grandiose scheme to assist young writers. Bernard has sincere humanitarian inclinations, though his personal life is
shambolic. He is homosexual, his wife is suffering from severe depression,
their relationship with their adult children is cold and superficial.
Angus Wilson's style is a delight to read, wondrous eye for detail with some superb descriptive passages, and also exposes the hollowness of contempary mores and values. The dialogue is very witty. The insight into the lives of homosexual men during this era is fascinating.( The homosexual characters get beyond the standard caricatures employed in many novels and possess great depth. )
Yet the great theme of the novel is temptation. Bernard Sands is made to realise his own sadistic drives, various other characters fall prey to their own weaknesses and risk getting exploited by a gang of local blackmailers whose leader preaches a sickly message of sweetness and light.
There is so much in this novel; I had to skim read it first time round and then read it all over again at a slow pace in order to fully appreciate its worth. But it is excellent.
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada