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London Triptych (2010)

by Jonathan Kemp(Favorite Author)

3.89 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0956251536 (ISBN13: 9780956251534)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Myriad Editions,

review 1: I really wanted to like this novel, which relates the story of three gay Londoners in 1894, 1954 and 1998 respectively, linked by the pleasures and perils of the capitol. But I just didn't. The problem is that the author, who wrote this while apparently completing his PhD in comparative literature, couldn't get out of his own way and prevent his academic work from getting in the way of his fiction. There is just too much delight in words for their own sake, which--especially in the case of the teenage prostitute Jack, the protagonist of the 1894--sit oddly with their supposed narrators. Matters aren't helped by the author appending a lengthy afterword explaining his literary choices and his meanings. The most successful section is probably the 1954 section; the weakes... moret is the 1998 one. Like I said, I really, really wanted to like this, but I just couldn't. If the author wouldn't have tried so hard to be literary, it would have come off so much better.
review 2: An excellent telling of the lives of 3 gay men living in London. Spanning the 1890's, 1950's and 1990's, it shows how attitudes have changed towards homosexuality. With a full compliment of dark, sordid, and fun characters (including the wonderful Oscar Wilde) it weaves a tale of hope, despair, loneliness, love, jealously and passion. Whether you're researching the people of the times, or are looking for an interesting book, this is definitely one for you. less

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