One of the best gay writers. I wish he'd write more than one book every five years.

Aren't we due for another one soon?

Quite agree. I don't find his work as accessible as some but my goodness, he's *good*.

My favourite, I'm ashamed to say, is The Spell, which I think is probably the least erudite of them, but I enjoyed The Folding Star too once I got over the hero's 'too stupid to live' attitude.

Loved both, but I think my favourite is 'The Swimming Pool Library.' Although I liked 'The Line of Beauty' it made me very uncomfortable and unhappy...

I never finished Beauty - I think I tried to read it too soon after the tv version and it kind of palled. It's still eyeing me from my TBR pile and I will give it another go.

Swimming Pool Library was probably my least favourite although I know several people who rave about it. I suffered a complete lack of sympathy for the main character (I just can't call him a hero) and described him in my book review as 'an upper-class wimp who's never done a day's work in his life and spends all his time screwing younger men, bitching about people and feeling sorry for himself'. You can tell I didn't 'gel' with him, can't you?

I did enjoy the older character's backstory, felt it was rather tacked on at the end of this, and would have liked it to have run more strongly as a secondary plot throughout the book. Better still, ditch the irritating Chinless Wonder and just write the book about the older guy.

Must admit to really, really, really not being able to stand anything Hollinghurst has written. Beauty took the biscuit, and bored me utterly to tears of frustration. Sorry ...



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He does seem to be a writer who you either love or hate.

I find him brilliant but difficult. For straightforward reading enjoyment I much prefer Patrick Gale, who has a similar style but is much, much more 'accessible'.

Gale's an up and down choice for me - sometimes I love him and sometimes I think he's so cliched it's untrue! (sorry that's a cliche too, but at least I know it!!)

Hugs

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I read 'The Aerodynamics of Pork' because Fennie raved about it, and was quite disappointed. It just seemed like 'Literature Lite'.

But if someone can recommend a better one I'll give it another go.

Hollinghurst, on the other hand, has just the right tone and feel for me. Love him.

Aerodynamics was his first, and I don't think he'd developed fully as a writer when he wrote it.

The (sort of) follow-on, Rough Music, is much *much* better. Although elements of it are very sad, so if you're feeling fragile don't tackle it just yet!

Hmm. I wonder if I should have a separate area for authors?

No thanks. Cheerful things only at the moment...

Even Maupin is making me cry on the underground.

Which one???

Babycakes.

It doesn't take much...

Awwww. {{hugs Ansley}}

I haven't read that one yet. Aside from the tears, is it any good?

Well, it's as I said elsewhere, I sometimes get the sensation that I've been stuffing myself with sweeties and made myself feel a bit sick. But Maupin is good to read on the tube, when you have to get on and get off and stop and start.

I think they get sillier as you go along and the reliance on coincidence wouldn't work in anything more serious; but it's an easy, comfortable read.

Incidentally, surely it must be time for a new Hollinghurst novel? They seem to come along every five years...