Synopsis At a traditional boarding school for upper-class boys, a recently hired twenty-five-year-old gay teacher becomes involved in an illicit relationship with a troubled sixteen-year-old student, an association that triggers a reexamination of the school's sometimes dark past. About the Author Paul Russell is Professor of English at Vassar College.
R**H
One for the recycle bin.
I read about 50% of this book and then I stopped. The build up of the characters are very good, the scene descriptions are good but it is a bore to read. The story just meanders form chapter to chapter with very little happening. It was depressing to read. I have given the book to a charity shop, they may sell it or simply recycle it but I am just happy to get rid of it and start to read another book which hopefully be far better and provide a good story and some entertainment.
B**N
A questionable affiar
Captivating, beautifully written story that involves the relationships between up state New York boys' prep school head teacher Louis Tremper, his wife Clair, newly employed young teacher Tracy Parker, and 15 year old wayward student Noah Lathrop III. Deeply repressed gay Tremper befriends handsome Tracy, and attempts to share with him his love of opera; Tracy himself develops a close friendship with Claire as confidant. More dangerously Tracy becomes involved with troubled Noah, initially seeking to help him but inevitably the relationship develops much further until they become sexually involved.Whatever the rights or wrongs of the relationship between Tracy and his young student, it is clear Noah is no innocent party, and subsequent events prove the effect, for good or bad the story reveals, all this has on Noah.This is in no way a predicable or inevitable story, but full of surprises. It is most beautifully written and told, and the relationships that develop between the various participants are most endearing. A story that is both heartbreaking and heart warming, it is not until the end that it becomes apparent who surprisingly is/are the true hero/heroes. Not to be missed on any account.
User
A wonderul and invigorating read.
Russell's first novel in five year (since his equally moving Sea of Tranquillity) presents four distinct voices: Louis, a 64 year-old headmaster of a boy's boarding school; Claire, his loyal and intelligent wife; Tracy, the 25 year-old hired to teach at the school; and Noah, the 15 year-old youth who is searching to find himself. These four characters' voices build a narrative that will eventually center around Tracy's and Noah's illicit affair. Their relationship influences both Louis and Claire very strongly--in satisfying and mature ways. Noah emerges as a dynamic and intersting person--but the reader is left wondering who, exactly, does the author want Tracy to be?
User
One of the best "gay novels" I've read in years!
I read about 6 - 8 books per month (fiction, bios, etc). As a gay man in my mid-30's, I've spent maybe 1/5 of that time reading gay themed books. This novel is one of the best I've ever read. I could easily have enjoyed another 500 pages with the 4 main characters. Thank you Paul Russell for writing about a topic that is controversial, but that has been experienced by many.
C**E
The truly difficult thing in life is to live
This is an amazing book, not only because of the excellent storyline, but because of Russel's beautiful proze. I must admit I had read ahead to find out how the novel will end to be able to fully enjoy each sentence without rushing the experience out of curiosity.This book is of course a story of a teacher-student relationship, but so much more than that. For me it is about human covardice, our ability and proneness for procrastination, choosing security above all else - lives wasted, peaceful unhappiness. And those who do not succumb to such dead stillwater of a life, those who 'obey the gods' demands'put themselves out of law. Tracy Parker the young teacher is fantacising about being HIV positive, but is too afraid of the truth to go and have himself tested. However, the thing he is so afraid of is not testing positive, but negative. Those who are dying owe nothing to life anymore. They can choose the most convenient, the easiest way, they can wall themselves up in their homes, vegetate there all they want. If he knows he is not dying, then there are no loopholes anymore.This is a great book, such a memorable experience and I am definitely going to look for other books from the same author.
User
men and boys
This is the best book about gay love I have read, and it is true to life. A gay teacher (one of several in the school's history) has a deep love affair with one of his boys. It is the boy who makes the first move, as is often the case. The sub-charactersare all interesting, and a great advantage is that this book is written in English, unlike some offerings which have one-line paragraphs and verbless sentences and are just a series of ejaculations. This book is literature and is highly recommended. It should be in every secondary school library.
