The Stranger's Child

First off, and most importantly, extra pointswere given for the naming of the following characters.

Dick Mint
Stinker Strange-Paget

This is story is of Cecil Valance a would-be poet and a bit of cad, who dies very young during WW1. Following his death, he is immortalised and turned into some godlike poet extraordinaire by the men and women who loved and desired him. As the years go on perception changes and people begin to discover what the real Cecil Valance was like.

As with all AH's novels there are similar themes here, namely posh people, posh houses, public schools, art, music, literature and the promise of a rumpy fumble in the bushes. And, like all his previous books, it's beautifully written. Unfortunately, the first two parts are a real chore, I did nearly give up a couple of times. Thankfully parts 3, 4 & 5 are much better.

I guess if you haven't read any Alan Hollinghurst before, I would definitely NOT start with this one, go for The Swimming pool Library or better still, The Line Of Beauty.