Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review
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Richard/Ricardo discovers his identity at a time of great unrest in Argentina during the reign of the Generals and the Falklands war and before the AIDS crisis.
Following the death of his staunchly patriotic English mother, Richard finds himself alone and finding solace with men he encounters on streets and in saunas. After quitting his job as an English teacher, his Anglo-Argentinean language skills come in useful as he is introduced into the world of Americans, politics, business men and corruption. This leads him to meet the elusive but alluring Pablo, brother of Jorge - Richard's friend and English student.
Erotic but never vulgar, the story that ensues is predictable but written in a succinct and realistic style, efficiently portraying the fear and desolation that many gay men must have felt during the 80's.
It is important to bear in mind that this title was first published in 1997 so is a relatively old book and, for some, may not have the same impact that it did at the time.
The group was divided with its appraisal but, worryingly, everyone agreed the middle third of the book could have been omitted with little detriment to the overall story! This read may be best suited to someone new to gay fiction who can keep up with the history lesson too.
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the story of the night by colm toibin
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Like other readers, I bought this book by chance. I read it non-stop. i was absolutely captivated. have read some of his other work, The South and the Blackwater Lightship - both were very, very good. Give them a try - you won't be disappointed.
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Can I stay for a while?
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I bought this book by chance, interested in the content and by Toibin's reputation. I never expected to be moved to tears. I read the book in three sittings, something I have never done before, simply because I could not put it down. I think I almost fell in love with Richard Garay and I have only ever once before cried when reaching the end of a novel. The subject matter in the final chapter is particularly close to my heart and I will never forget the emotional journery either in my own life or in the chacters depected here. Thank you for writing this book and portraying real gay characters, not simply laughable, camp shallow characters, and for portraying so poiniantly how two men can fall in love so deeply, the difficulties they can sometimes face coming to terms with their sexuality and the isolation that it can bring. I want to dive back into their lives and share it with them all over again. I am profoundly moved.
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A wonderful novel by an honest writer
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I found this quite by chance and probably wouldn't have bought it if I'd been aware of the content. It deals with the coming of age of a young gay man in the Argentina of the generals in the 1980's.
From the very beginning I was absolutely gripped by Toibin's wonderfully straight-forward and honest narrative. I absolutely love the way his characters say real things, are realistically unable to express outwardly whats going on inside them, though Toibin manages to convey their inner lives to the reader. One thing I've found in all of Toibin's novels that I've subsequently read, is that its impossible to dislike ANY of his characters, because he observes them with a marvelously humane dispassion. I love this writer, he's totally incapable of writing a bad novel.
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Spare, bleak, erotic
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A superb novel - the author's style is so pared-down as to be almost minimalist, but he paints vivid pictures and characters through very controlled structures. I found it to be a very erotic novel, in the deepest sense of that word's meaning, and also rather sinister. The last chapter, with its portrayal of tenderness and love, moved me to tears. Definitely not a paperback to throw away - this is one I shall keep and re-read in a year or so's time.
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