The Swimming-Pool Library in Queereaders

Feb 13, 2009 Scott rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: thepinkroom, favorite

I totally loved this book and I wish I could write prose as Hollinghurst. His turn of phrase and excellent use of language is stellar.

The story is interestingly told through the eyes of a thirtyish gay man in the prime of his life simply lounging, working out, and having sexual encounters of the various kind. The plot dupes you into regarding the plot as non-existent and that the book will tell the typical tale of a lounger, but the author starts dropping hints to an underlying secret.

I love Wil ...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Ilya rated it it was amazing

This book really absorbed me. How do I write this? Hollinghurst has a way of getting into the subtleties of perception - how the physical environment and the things people say, and the unconscious social messaging that is all around us combine..."He had that look of insincere good behaviour that people have when they are working on their own public relations. As I came in the coppery clack of the shop-bell had all heads turning."

Also, it is full of sex, very graphic sex.

A great read. ...more

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Jan 10, 2009 Rob rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay-fiction

Read this for the writing. You may not like all the characters. If you're like me, you'll find one that you identify with. The book does an excellent job exploring gay life in London right before AIDS. It's not an easy book to follow at first, but keep reading. If I could change something it would be to edit the diary entries of Charles. ...more

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Oct 09, 2007 Michael E rated it really liked it

Listened to the book on CD. Enjoyed the sexuality, the language and the contemporary "coolness." It ended abruptly, with more loose-ends than I liked. ...more

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