What do you think?
Rate this book
The Boy I Love #2
All the Beauty of the Sun
Soho 1925
Two young men meet ― for one of them this is love at first sight, for the other only lust and guilt...
In 1925 Paul Harris returns to England from self-imposed exile in Tangiers for an exhibition of his paintings. He leaves behind Patrick, the man he has loved since they met in the trenches in 1918, needing to discover if he has the strength to live without him and wanting to explore the kind of life he might have lived had it not been for the war. In Bohemian Soho, Paul meets Edmund whose passionate love changes Paul’s idea of himself. With Edmund, Paul begins to believe that he may have another life to live, free of the guilt and regrets of the past. But the past is not so easy to escape, and when Patrick follows Paul to London a decision must be made that will affect all their lives.
Two young men meet ― for one of them this is love at first sight, for the other only lust and guilt...
In 1925 Paul Harris returns to England from self-imposed exile in Tangiers for an exhibition of his paintings. He leaves behind Patrick, the man he has loved since they met in the trenches in 1918, needing to discover if he has the strength to live without him and wanting to explore the kind of life he might have lived had it not been for the war. In Bohemian Soho, Paul meets Edmund whose passionate love changes Paul’s idea of himself. With Edmund, Paul begins to believe that he may have another life to live, free of the guilt and regrets of the past. But the past is not so easy to escape, and when Patrick follows Paul to London a decision must be made that will affect all their lives.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2012
9 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 14, 2012
This is a sequel of sorts to Husband's "The Boy I Love" which I reviewed in 2007. It's a little confusing because the three books in the series, "The Boy I Love", "Paper Moon", and "All the Beauty of the Sun" were written in the order above, but the timeline is: "The Boy I Love", "All the Beauty of the Sun" and "Paper Moon". This is important if you were setting off to read them all in order--and I highly recommend you do because these books are stellar. Simply the pinnacle of gay historical fiction.
Husband's prose suits me perfectly, I'm quite aware that this more literary style won't be everyone's cup of tea but I find her level of detail, her love for the minutiae in the depth of great emotion to be one of her greatest assets. She's not content with someone walking with some distress through London streets; with skillful use of layering detail on detail she brings the scene to live through sights, scents, sounds, even touch. The effect of this is not only to show the protagonists emotional state, which literary fiction must rely on, but to immerse you entirely into the scene, sometimes you feel so close that you wonder that the characters can't see you, peering in on them.
Paul Harris, whose story is more or less the mutual thread in the series, has returned from Tangiers, where he's been living in exile with his lover, Patrick, in order to show his war paintings in a London gallery and hopefully to sell them. He's uncertain as to whether the trip was sensible--he's an ex convict, and would be in danger one again should his homosexuality be exposed again--and he's left Patrick behind. He is anchored with Patrick--Patrick was his sargeant in the war, and Paul learned in the trenches to rely on Patrick--and it is Patrick that pulled Paul out of more than one terrible problems in the previous book.
Sadly though, Paul is very much "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you are with" so anyone who dislikes this ethos might want to avoid.
His story interweaves with the others in the story. Ann, the "good time girl" and artists' model, Lawrence, straight but probably more on his wavelength than any, the gallery owner and artist, Joseph Day, love rival for Ann, and Edmund, public schoolboy and bi-curious gay virgin. Some of it is written in third person, some in first, some in stream of conciousness, so if that literary style isn't for you, you might not want to try it, but I think you should because the writing is so utterly beautiful.
Even when it is recounting the worst of times--death in the trenches being one dark subject, the prose remains clear and honest. This isn't--for those who find World War One unreadable--something that dwells heavily on the trenches. It's mentioned and obviously the effects of the war still resonate with everyone, physically and mentally, but it's not the only factor. Paul has more demons than just the war, oh yes indeed.
I can't help but care for Paul passionately. I felt tremendously sorry for him, and the things he does in London were unwise, but I felt he was a leaf, blown about by fate and he didn't have the fibre to hold himself upright. I think any pretty young man would have captured him. Despite what he purports to feel about Edmund, I was never fully convinced--I don't think he could separate love and sex, and Edmund was relatively untouched by the war. He lost a brother, but he was too young to have been in himself. Perhaps it is that aspect of Edmund that draws Paul, like a moth to a flame.
I did find the relationships rather confusing, and they lent heavily on coincidence. Everyone seemed to know everyone else. Ann for example, who Paul has only met through Lawrence and Edmund, knows--and has had a relationship with--Matthew, a man who has spent years in hospital, the war drove him mad.
It's hard to describe the plot, because other than the thread of Paul of Edmund there isn't really much of one--but that's no detriment. Rather it's a "slice of life" we start watching these characters at a certain point, and we stop at a certain point. There's no definitive ending, no neat tying up of plot lines, because this deals with life, and of course life doesn't have genre ending.
All of the characters--and there are more than I've described, all of whom are connected to Paul in some way or other--are fully fleshed out, their actions and reactions explored and consequences--or the threat of consequences--worried about. I take my hat off to Husband, because she is a master juggler of plotlines, how she does it, and with such a deft touch is beyond me.
So, don't miss this series--if you love the power of words, words rich in layer and tone without swamping themselves in the morass of "this is literature" you will love them. Can't recommend them enough.
As a final note, I have to mention the covers. The trilogy has been republished by Accent Press with new covers and they are terribly misleading. On each cover (as you can see) there's a close up of a beautiful woman with a war/London backdrop. Seeing that in a bookshop makes one think that you are getting a standard women's fiction book or a romance. Granted, the back makes it clear that the story revolves around Paul and his loves but the cover? It's baffling. If the publisher was actually afraid to put a picture of a man on "The Boy I Love" and "All the Beauty of the Sun" then it's rather misrepresenting, and once a reader buys a book thinking it's one thing and finds that actually it's gay romance with some scenes with more description than the average non-gay-fiction-reader can cope with, they probably won't come back. I would have much preferred a more honest cover, but this doesn't affect the five star mark, of course.
Husband's prose suits me perfectly, I'm quite aware that this more literary style won't be everyone's cup of tea but I find her level of detail, her love for the minutiae in the depth of great emotion to be one of her greatest assets. She's not content with someone walking with some distress through London streets; with skillful use of layering detail on detail she brings the scene to live through sights, scents, sounds, even touch. The effect of this is not only to show the protagonists emotional state, which literary fiction must rely on, but to immerse you entirely into the scene, sometimes you feel so close that you wonder that the characters can't see you, peering in on them.
Paul Harris, whose story is more or less the mutual thread in the series, has returned from Tangiers, where he's been living in exile with his lover, Patrick, in order to show his war paintings in a London gallery and hopefully to sell them. He's uncertain as to whether the trip was sensible--he's an ex convict, and would be in danger one again should his homosexuality be exposed again--and he's left Patrick behind. He is anchored with Patrick--Patrick was his sargeant in the war, and Paul learned in the trenches to rely on Patrick--and it is Patrick that pulled Paul out of more than one terrible problems in the previous book.
Sadly though, Paul is very much "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you are with" so anyone who dislikes this ethos might want to avoid.
His story interweaves with the others in the story. Ann, the "good time girl" and artists' model, Lawrence, straight but probably more on his wavelength than any, the gallery owner and artist, Joseph Day, love rival for Ann, and Edmund, public schoolboy and bi-curious gay virgin. Some of it is written in third person, some in first, some in stream of conciousness, so if that literary style isn't for you, you might not want to try it, but I think you should because the writing is so utterly beautiful.
Even when it is recounting the worst of times--death in the trenches being one dark subject, the prose remains clear and honest. This isn't--for those who find World War One unreadable--something that dwells heavily on the trenches. It's mentioned and obviously the effects of the war still resonate with everyone, physically and mentally, but it's not the only factor. Paul has more demons than just the war, oh yes indeed.
I can't help but care for Paul passionately. I felt tremendously sorry for him, and the things he does in London were unwise, but I felt he was a leaf, blown about by fate and he didn't have the fibre to hold himself upright. I think any pretty young man would have captured him. Despite what he purports to feel about Edmund, I was never fully convinced--I don't think he could separate love and sex, and Edmund was relatively untouched by the war. He lost a brother, but he was too young to have been in himself. Perhaps it is that aspect of Edmund that draws Paul, like a moth to a flame.
I did find the relationships rather confusing, and they lent heavily on coincidence. Everyone seemed to know everyone else. Ann for example, who Paul has only met through Lawrence and Edmund, knows--and has had a relationship with--Matthew, a man who has spent years in hospital, the war drove him mad.
It's hard to describe the plot, because other than the thread of Paul of Edmund there isn't really much of one--but that's no detriment. Rather it's a "slice of life" we start watching these characters at a certain point, and we stop at a certain point. There's no definitive ending, no neat tying up of plot lines, because this deals with life, and of course life doesn't have genre ending.
All of the characters--and there are more than I've described, all of whom are connected to Paul in some way or other--are fully fleshed out, their actions and reactions explored and consequences--or the threat of consequences--worried about. I take my hat off to Husband, because she is a master juggler of plotlines, how she does it, and with such a deft touch is beyond me.
So, don't miss this series--if you love the power of words, words rich in layer and tone without swamping themselves in the morass of "this is literature" you will love them. Can't recommend them enough.
As a final note, I have to mention the covers. The trilogy has been republished by Accent Press with new covers and they are terribly misleading. On each cover (as you can see) there's a close up of a beautiful woman with a war/London backdrop. Seeing that in a bookshop makes one think that you are getting a standard women's fiction book or a romance. Granted, the back makes it clear that the story revolves around Paul and his loves but the cover? It's baffling. If the publisher was actually afraid to put a picture of a man on "The Boy I Love" and "All the Beauty of the Sun" then it's rather misrepresenting, and once a reader buys a book thinking it's one thing and finds that actually it's gay romance with some scenes with more description than the average non-gay-fiction-reader can cope with, they probably won't come back. I would have much preferred a more honest cover, but this doesn't affect the five star mark, of course.
July 29, 2012
I just love the way Marion Husband writes. There is not a single rock left unturned. This book was a little confusing and for a while, I thought I had already read it, but then figured out what she had done. Very glad to see these folks again from this point in time.
Great job!
Great job!
April 14, 2013
I enjoyed this novel and I still think Marion Husband is a great writer. However, the fact that she wrote this novel after the first and third books in the trilogy make for a disjointed story. Her writing style has changed since the first two books and I felt hoiked out of the reading experience from time to time. I think her best character in this trilogy is Paul Harris. I feel I know him so well. I wasn't sure how the Matthew/Ann story fitted in and this sub-plot felt tacked on. Is Edmund mentioned in the third book, Paper Moon? I don't think so and he should be. I want to see how that story develops and I'm sure his experiences of WW2 would be crucial to the story. I was a little disappointed. If All The Beauty of the Sun had been written as a stand-alone, then it would be all the better for it. Sorry, Marion!
February 11, 2013
At first I thought the unremitting gloom of her style was going to be a challenge but as more and more of the story leaked out (a bit like the press feeds the public a scandal) the more compelling the book became. The all encompassing gloom of London in winter is described with diamond sharp accuracy and it sets the mood for a truly tragic novel. I've never read such a clear description of the depression and breakdown that infects society after the carnage of war.
February 10, 2020
This new title in the series is set in plot/time between Husband's novels The Boy I Love and Paper Moon. 1925 – the period between the great wars – Lawrence Hawker, a successful gallery owner stages the first exhibition of works by a painter highly recommended by a mutual friend. The paintings depict wartime portraits of soldiers in the trenches in painful yet tender poses/scenario – some with controversial homo-erotic overtones. Thus sets the stage for the return of Paul Harris, who leaves behind lover and protector Patrick, as he’s lured back to his homeland from his North African exile by potential fame and fortune but has to face old ghosts and past misdeeds.
Husband re-introduces characters from The Boy I Love (Paul’s father, his son, his ex-in-laws, war-buddies) but also introduces an exciting cast of new characters associated with the art world – Ann (ingénue, model), Edmund (very young, aimless wannabe artist), Joseph (up-and-coming painter who’s fighting Edmund for Ann’s attentions). With sinister-like behind-the-scenes machinations is Matthew (ex-priest, ex-soldier, ruined mind) whose connection to several of these afore-mentioned characters go far deeper and darker than can be imagined.
Despite his resolve - Paul falls into a heady affair with the much younger Edmund, who’s exploring his sexuality and seeking new direction for his life. George Harris acts against better judgement when he reunites Paul with Bobby, his own ‘son’ left behind when he escaped overseas from homosexual persecution – will this act lead to further heartache and disaster. New choices face Paul when torn between having or losing his son all over again, and to what extent does his recent infatuation with Edmund impact on his long-time relationship with Patrick. And what will the faithful, loyal Patrick do when he also returns to London to retrieve Paul from the dilemmas and disasters of his own making?
Marion Husband writes complicated, conflicted characters brilliantly – they straddle the very fine line between maudlin and overly-tortured. She brings to life the indecision, flawed desires and wanton passion, good intentions and broken resolutions of all her gay / straight / male / female characters. Strong character development and back-stories are capably provided for all main and secondary characters, and as usual, the resolution for many of their storylines remain unpredictable and tension provoking until the satisfying end.
All The Beauty Of The Sun can be read without reference to others in Husband’s series, but I urge readers to make every attempt to read The Boy I Love before attempting this. All my expectations for a riveting character-driven read were fulfilled by the author yet again.
Husband re-introduces characters from The Boy I Love (Paul’s father, his son, his ex-in-laws, war-buddies) but also introduces an exciting cast of new characters associated with the art world – Ann (ingénue, model), Edmund (very young, aimless wannabe artist), Joseph (up-and-coming painter who’s fighting Edmund for Ann’s attentions). With sinister-like behind-the-scenes machinations is Matthew (ex-priest, ex-soldier, ruined mind) whose connection to several of these afore-mentioned characters go far deeper and darker than can be imagined.
Despite his resolve - Paul falls into a heady affair with the much younger Edmund, who’s exploring his sexuality and seeking new direction for his life. George Harris acts against better judgement when he reunites Paul with Bobby, his own ‘son’ left behind when he escaped overseas from homosexual persecution – will this act lead to further heartache and disaster. New choices face Paul when torn between having or losing his son all over again, and to what extent does his recent infatuation with Edmund impact on his long-time relationship with Patrick. And what will the faithful, loyal Patrick do when he also returns to London to retrieve Paul from the dilemmas and disasters of his own making?
Marion Husband writes complicated, conflicted characters brilliantly – they straddle the very fine line between maudlin and overly-tortured. She brings to life the indecision, flawed desires and wanton passion, good intentions and broken resolutions of all her gay / straight / male / female characters. Strong character development and back-stories are capably provided for all main and secondary characters, and as usual, the resolution for many of their storylines remain unpredictable and tension provoking until the satisfying end.
All The Beauty Of The Sun can be read without reference to others in Husband’s series, but I urge readers to make every attempt to read The Boy I Love before attempting this. All my expectations for a riveting character-driven read were fulfilled by the author yet again.
December 29, 2013
I really liked this story. It is a bit dark. Paul is 30 years old and has lived the life of one much older. He's been to war, he's been married and divorced, he's had many lovers and he's had Patrick, his partner since he met him in the trenches during the Great War. Patrick and Paul have a deeply convaluted relationship. Patrick has loved Paul since the moment he saw him. Paul is driven mostly by lust and self-presevation. Patrick sees to that preservation.
Paul is an artist. He and Patrick live in Tangiers - an easier place than England for two "bent men" (as Patrick calls them). Paul misses England and wants to go home, at least to visit. A showing of his art in a London gallery provides the opportunity. He goes alone; Patrick has no desire for England. In London, Paul seeks out the company of a young man named Eduard he meets at the showing, even though it is clear to him that Eduard is somehow involved with Ann. Paul can, it seems, sense a new lover, even when the lover is deeply in denial of his sexuality. Eduard falls, as Patrick did, immediately in love with Paul. Paul is hoping this relationship will free him to be strong, to escape his past, to be able to live without Patrick's ever present protection, to be able to live in England as his own man. He has not been able to do that to date, somehow caught in his adolescense, defined by the war and his past and his fear.
The story contains lots of twists and turns and interaction of charaters that the reader does not expect; Paul's father, his former mother-in-law, his son, his old friend, Matthew. These people connect to his past and to his present. How will it all sort out? Worth the read to find out.
Paul is an artist. He and Patrick live in Tangiers - an easier place than England for two "bent men" (as Patrick calls them). Paul misses England and wants to go home, at least to visit. A showing of his art in a London gallery provides the opportunity. He goes alone; Patrick has no desire for England. In London, Paul seeks out the company of a young man named Eduard he meets at the showing, even though it is clear to him that Eduard is somehow involved with Ann. Paul can, it seems, sense a new lover, even when the lover is deeply in denial of his sexuality. Eduard falls, as Patrick did, immediately in love with Paul. Paul is hoping this relationship will free him to be strong, to escape his past, to be able to live without Patrick's ever present protection, to be able to live in England as his own man. He has not been able to do that to date, somehow caught in his adolescense, defined by the war and his past and his fear.
The story contains lots of twists and turns and interaction of charaters that the reader does not expect; Paul's father, his former mother-in-law, his son, his old friend, Matthew. These people connect to his past and to his present. How will it all sort out? Worth the read to find out.
August 10, 2012
Dark, dark, dark. Ms. Husband has many sad characters whom I either dislike or feel sorry for. As defective as they are however, she certainly makes them real. Ms. Husband has an amazing writing technique that releases information in bits and pieces; little glimmers of light that give you an ‘ah ha’ moment. So, many times it may seem confusing, but that confusion is only temporary since everything is always cleared up eventually. And she always has a shocker to throw in here and there in the story to keep the readers on their toes. I could not find my way clear to liking the character of Paul, who has a very disturbed personality based on his background, however I very much enjoyed the story. Definitely recommended but be sure to read “The Boy I love’ first.
July 29, 2012
Another fantastic book by Marion Husband. Chronologically following the first book in the trilogy, 'The Boy I Love', this beautifully written novel sees the return from Tangiers, where he has set up home with his lover Patrick, of artist Paul Harris for an exhibition of his work. The multiple narratives of new characters and familiar ones, such as his doctor father, George, make for a well paced plot as they all come to terms with how their lives have changed during the decade after the First World War.
August 6, 2014
4.5 stars
The second book, in the timeline explores more the fickleness of Paul, the heartbreak of George, the freedom of Edmund, the devotion of Patrick for Paul and the mental instability of Matthew.
Marion Husband wrote beautiful and sober portraits of men in the 1920's and a british society ravaged by WW1 where homosexuality was condemnable.
The second book, in the timeline explores more the fickleness of Paul, the heartbreak of George, the freedom of Edmund, the devotion of Patrick for Paul and the mental instability of Matthew.
Marion Husband wrote beautiful and sober portraits of men in the 1920's and a british society ravaged by WW1 where homosexuality was condemnable.
June 10, 2013
A more satisfying story than The Boy I Love, I felt I got a better understanding of the main character (Paul Harris) and his motivations for behaving the way he does. Would have appreciated some follow up to the story of how Mick and Hetty were getting on :)
April 29, 2013
Another strong book and a welcome return of Paul Harris from The boy I love and Paper Moon. Marion Husband has drawn me in again with her strong, flawed characters. Highly recommend all three books in this trilogy.
April 15, 2013
An excellent follow up to 'The Boy I love'. It is quite involved though and it really helps if you have read the prequel. I don't want to spoil the plot but a few more characters are brought in and their stories mingle very well with the known characters. Flows very quickly.
August 9, 2016
I love how Marion Husband writes. This is the second book I found hard to put down because every word paints a vivid and authentic picture. As in life, the characters are flawed and all the more real so that their thoughts, feelings, circumstances are timeless. A great read.
September 30, 2013
Intense! Really intense. A continuation of the first volume of this trilogy. Great work
August 24, 2019
I have this thing in my house, I put the best books I have ever read in my room proudly, so I can have a look at them anytime even after reading. I put in there The Boy I Love without thinking twice. No wonder I wanted to read the 2nd part badly, but now, that I am done with it, I put it far, far away from my room.
Now for the review
QUICK SUMMARY
Years after living happily ever after (or not) alongside noble Patrick, great hero Paul decides to come back to England, where he meets his four-year-old son (although he is actually his dead brother's son and no one mentions it for some reason) and meets a boy, probably underrage, named Edmund, who falls deeply in passion with, driving everyone else crazy around him, including Edmund's ex, Edmund's boss, Edmund's father and Margott's family. That is indeed a lot of people. This is Paul's thing, becoming the star, even though he is one hell of a gloomy main lead. Can't tell that I like him very much, which is a sad thing, because I loved him better the 1st book. I loved everything better the 1st book.
just NO spoilers
I didn't remeber much from the 1st book but I took a quick glance at it a few minutes ago. I remembered instantly why I loved it so much. All the Beauty of the Sun reminded me a lot of While England Sleeps because of Edmund and Paul's love story, which had a lot of similarities to Edward and (can't remember the other name)'s love story. Having said that, that is maybe the only good thing about All the Beauty of the Sun, to be like another book.
It was boring, all boring! Why would I care for George and Iris and Daniel and Susie? They are not interesting. In fact, this all book is about a bunch of people with no confidence in them. Just a bunch of self-pitiers. I liked Edmund, he was that kind of an angel character, but I did not like that Paul loved him more than Patrick! IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE
I loved the first one so much because Patrick and Paul found each other, against all odds, and Patrick took a good care of him, even after prison. They have gone the same horror events during fighting. It was a beautiful, Beautiful love story. She ruined it. I mean, the ending was not clear at all, but I guess Paul and Patrick are back together, because of Edmund's father's doing. I don't know, it doesn't seem right, like Paul did Patrick a sollet coming back to him, like he has no other choice.
I don't like Paul very much and I don't understand the fuse over him! Everyone is always falls for him! I can't even understand why he left his son. I mean yes, 20's and all, not very welcoming for gay families, but he could ran away. He could grab him. But he was a complete coward, hiding behind cigaretts.
To be honest, I am not so sure I want to read the 3rd. I except nothing. The only decent character left is my darling Patrick, who deserves better. The readers deserve better.
Now for the review
QUICK SUMMARY
Years after living happily ever after (or not) alongside noble Patrick, great hero Paul decides to come back to England, where he meets his four-year-old son (although he is actually his dead brother's son and no one mentions it for some reason) and meets a boy, probably underrage, named Edmund, who falls deeply in passion with, driving everyone else crazy around him, including Edmund's ex, Edmund's boss, Edmund's father and Margott's family. That is indeed a lot of people. This is Paul's thing, becoming the star, even though he is one hell of a gloomy main lead. Can't tell that I like him very much, which is a sad thing, because I loved him better the 1st book. I loved everything better the 1st book.
just NO spoilers
I didn't remeber much from the 1st book but I took a quick glance at it a few minutes ago. I remembered instantly why I loved it so much. All the Beauty of the Sun reminded me a lot of While England Sleeps because of Edmund and Paul's love story, which had a lot of similarities to Edward and (can't remember the other name)'s love story. Having said that, that is maybe the only good thing about All the Beauty of the Sun, to be like another book.
It was boring, all boring! Why would I care for George and Iris and Daniel and Susie? They are not interesting. In fact, this all book is about a bunch of people with no confidence in them. Just a bunch of self-pitiers. I liked Edmund, he was that kind of an angel character, but I did not like that Paul loved him more than Patrick! IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE
I loved the first one so much because Patrick and Paul found each other, against all odds, and Patrick took a good care of him, even after prison. They have gone the same horror events during fighting. It was a beautiful, Beautiful love story. She ruined it. I mean, the ending was not clear at all, but I guess Paul and Patrick are back together, because of Edmund's father's doing. I don't know, it doesn't seem right, like Paul did Patrick a sollet coming back to him, like he has no other choice.
I don't like Paul very much and I don't understand the fuse over him! Everyone is always falls for him! I can't even understand why he left his son. I mean yes, 20's and all, not very welcoming for gay families, but he could ran away. He could grab him. But he was a complete coward, hiding behind cigaretts.
To be honest, I am not so sure I want to read the 3rd. I except nothing. The only decent character left is my darling Patrick, who deserves better. The readers deserve better.
April 2, 2024
Book 2 in the Boy I Love series and it opens in 1924 which is a surprise as this is a few years after Book 1 ended. The discrepancy is revealed further along though. We learn a great deal more about the characters from "The Boy I Love" and new characters are added and dealt with in some depth which is great to see. The "hero" is not how many of us would see him and to her credit the author paints a brutal picture of someone that it is sometimes hard to decide whether you love or despise him. Whatever your reaction, he, and the story are never less than compelling. The author has really got under the skin of her characters and presented them warts and all. A side, but no less relevant story, involves the main protagonists father and his developing relationship with the wife of the local vicar. These characters are portrayed beautifully and with depth unlike the vicar himself who is portrayed completely unsympathetically. Marion Husband is meticulous in her work - everything feels right and just fits. Another triumph!
April 2, 2018
In any other book, a character as flawed as Paul might get on my nerve. Marion Husband manages not only to make Paul tolerable to me, but to make me fall in love with him. I’ve no idea how she does it.
Her books are astonishing, complex, rewarding - on all levels, not just some. It’s uncanny how authentic their portrayals of same-sex attracted men feel.
I initially gave The Boy I Love’ 4 stars, only because I wasn’t sure I liked the ending. But I was very satisfied with how ‘All the Beauty of the Sun’ picked up from where the previous book in the trilogy ended. So in the end both books got 5 stars!
Husband said she doesn’t think she’ll write more fiction. Perhaps when you’re that good it’s humanly impossible to keep it up (think Jamie O’Neill).
Her books are astonishing, complex, rewarding - on all levels, not just some. It’s uncanny how authentic their portrayals of same-sex attracted men feel.
I initially gave The Boy I Love’ 4 stars, only because I wasn’t sure I liked the ending. But I was very satisfied with how ‘All the Beauty of the Sun’ picked up from where the previous book in the trilogy ended. So in the end both books got 5 stars!
Husband said she doesn’t think she’ll write more fiction. Perhaps when you’re that good it’s humanly impossible to keep it up (think Jamie O’Neill).
May 21, 2019
Following on from 'The boy I love', this is set around the mid 1920's. I enjoyed this marginally less than that previous book, but only because I found the story line frustrating and slightly unsatisfying. Though Husband does write conflicted bitches and flawed characters very well.
I loved, as in the last book, the most beautiful descriptions of desire and passion that I've read in a while and this still made the book a worthwhile read.
Sometimes, the bleakness of it all gets quite intense and heavy, but it works, not least because of the illegality of homosexuality, and of course the horrific post war suffering of trauma and loss on so many levels, which colours and defines the story anyway. Another wonderful book.
I loved, as in the last book, the most beautiful descriptions of desire and passion that I've read in a while and this still made the book a worthwhile read.
Sometimes, the bleakness of it all gets quite intense and heavy, but it works, not least because of the illegality of homosexuality, and of course the horrific post war suffering of trauma and loss on so many levels, which colours and defines the story anyway. Another wonderful book.
June 22, 2023
Excellent continuation in the trilogy from "The Boy I Loved."
March 7, 2015
I have read both 'The Boy I Love' and this the second book in the trilogy. As with the first book, the writing style is easy and flowing; I felt drawn in to the story and the characters, wanting to know more so that the pages just 'fell away'. Marion Husband has captured a sense of Paul, Patrick and Edmund's need to feel worth, to be loved and respected, but at the same time the sense of self loathing, of not being 'right', of not being the men that the society and times they lived in demanded that men be. There is also the underlying trauma and brokenness caused by the war and an understanding of how little society recognised or cared about the men that "fought for them" and survived. Hight recommended.
June 8, 2020
Interesting if a bit confusing at times. The confusion is due to the interweaving of several storylines which leaves you wondering where you're jumping to or from between one chapter and the next. Paul has returned to London to exhibit and sell his paintings and sketches of the war. While there he meets Edmund, an intriguing youth he has an affair with. His father is having an affair with the mother of Paul's ex wife. Then there is Paul's life in Tangiers with Patrick and their shared history of the war. These are but a few of the interweaving stories. I look forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.
December 4, 2016
Excellent novels
This novel was chosen by me as I was getting tired of the one love heart out novel that seems to crowd Goodreads now. This is more like a Valley of the Dolls novel of the 1960s. There was more than one couple's story and it never got boring. This is not to say that there are not a lot of good novels after this one...there are. However this novel is my favorite kind of gay novel!
This novel was chosen by me as I was getting tired of the one love heart out novel that seems to crowd Goodreads now. This is more like a Valley of the Dolls novel of the 1960s. There was more than one couple's story and it never got boring. This is not to say that there are not a lot of good novels after this one...there are. However this novel is my favorite kind of gay novel!
January 6, 2015
Superb.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews