lgbtq+ WRITING

Set in 1960s suburban California, the story follows a single day in the life of George, an English professor grappling with the recent loss of his partner, Jim.

Through George’s eyes, we see the everyday world in all its beauty and banality, from the neighbours with their picture-perfect families to the students in his classroom. Isherwood’s writing is witty and observant, with a touch of melancholy that feels fitting for a man in George’s position.

For its time, the portrayal of a gay man as the central character was quite revolutionary, and when I first read this years ago I appreciated the sensitivity with which Isherwood handled George’s grief and desires. However, I did find myself occasionally losing interest during some of the more lengthy passages detailing George’s fascination with the physical beauty of his younger male students. While I understand the significance of these moments in George’s emotional journey, and I don’t mind them being realistic, they got a bit repetitive and unpleasant at times.

One of the novel’s strengths, its introspective nature, could also be seen as a weakness by some readers. The story is very much a character study, but while George is a fully realised character, some of the supporting cast are far less important and feel like they’re not as important to Isherwood. Some of you may think this is its strongest suit as an economical candid run through a man’s life; some of you might find it empty.

Ultimately, it’s naked, it’s beautiful, it’s mundane, it’s well-written. It won’t take you long. Enjoy it.

Also shared on Goodreads.