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Two Gentlemen Sharing
Bellingford is a typical English village. Genteel vices and unspecified dramas occasionally occur but always behind closed doors and carefully laundered lace curtains - until the news breaks that the new occupants of Hall House are "two gentlemen sharing." With the arrival of Rich, a producer, and his much younger lover, Bless, a model, the scene is set for mayhem. Tossed into the mix are a homophobic, retired general; a maniacal lesbian Italian biker in pursuit of a neurotic, inadvertently drugged Bellingford woman; an addled ex-ballerina; and assorted other native weirdness - all leading to a roller-coaster ride through the sexual mores of life.
392 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 1997
4 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
William Corlett
38 books34 followersWilliam Corlett (8 October 1938 - 16 August 2005), was an English children's writer, best known for his quartet of novels, The Magician's House, published between 1990 and 1992.
Corlett was born in Darlington, County Durham. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, then trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He worked as an actor while embarking on a literary career during the 1960s, and wrote plays and adult novels as well as the children's novels for which he is particularly remembered. Several of his works were adapted for the screen.
Later in life he came out as gay, and it was from his partner, Bryn Ellis, that he gained some of his inspiration for The Magician's House. Corlett died of cancer at Sarlat in France.
Corlett was born in Darlington, County Durham. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, then trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He worked as an actor while embarking on a literary career during the 1960s, and wrote plays and adult novels as well as the children's novels for which he is particularly remembered. Several of his works were adapted for the screen.
Later in life he came out as gay, and it was from his partner, Bryn Ellis, that he gained some of his inspiration for The Magician's House. Corlett died of cancer at Sarlat in France.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 26, 2014
I don't know why all the low ratings for this book. Look, this book isn't world-changing. It's not angst and heavy drama, not going to pluck deep thought and emotions from the reader. And usually those are things I look for in a book.
So, why did I like this book so much? Well, I had just finished a brutally grotesque book called Geek Love (which I reviewed and gave 5 stars)and my mind was worn out from that. I loved that book, but after all the ugliness of it, I needed something light and airy. I asked friends on facebook for a book that would make me laugh, and didn't demand too much thought. A new friend recommended Two Gentlemen Sharing. When I looked it up on Amazon it sounded like s delightful romp, one that would allow me to strenghten my emotional psyche while at the same time not bore the hell out of me. Then it was only in paperback, so I almost didn't buy it. I much prefer my kindle.
I'm so glad I did buy it. The book was fun, light, made me smile a lot, laugh some, and in general lightened my mood. I would think anyone who read the description (which is short excerpt) and the review from Publishers Weekly would be able to figure out this book is a light spoof and not expect it to be a main course for the mind, but simply a delightfully sweet dessert.
I fell a little bit in love with Bless and cheered for him as he handled one social calamity after another. Every character in the story was developed, I could picture each in my mind.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a beach read or a novel that simply lets them relax and unwind. A book doesn't always have to rip my guts out to be good. Sometimes my guts need time to heal. This was that balm.
So, why did I like this book so much? Well, I had just finished a brutally grotesque book called Geek Love (which I reviewed and gave 5 stars)and my mind was worn out from that. I loved that book, but after all the ugliness of it, I needed something light and airy. I asked friends on facebook for a book that would make me laugh, and didn't demand too much thought. A new friend recommended Two Gentlemen Sharing. When I looked it up on Amazon it sounded like s delightful romp, one that would allow me to strenghten my emotional psyche while at the same time not bore the hell out of me. Then it was only in paperback, so I almost didn't buy it. I much prefer my kindle.
I'm so glad I did buy it. The book was fun, light, made me smile a lot, laugh some, and in general lightened my mood. I would think anyone who read the description (which is short excerpt) and the review from Publishers Weekly would be able to figure out this book is a light spoof and not expect it to be a main course for the mind, but simply a delightfully sweet dessert.
I fell a little bit in love with Bless and cheered for him as he handled one social calamity after another. Every character in the story was developed, I could picture each in my mind.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a beach read or a novel that simply lets them relax and unwind. A book doesn't always have to rip my guts out to be good. Sometimes my guts need time to heal. This was that balm.
January 8, 2021
So it took me longer to read this than I'd have liked, especially because my book group was reading this for December and I officially finished it on January 7th. lol. BUT, it turned out to be a great book. It's a British farce with a lot of facepalming and good humor with a twist at the end I never saw coming.
My book group got discussing the fact that a murder would have been a great addition to the book, but by the time I got to the end last night, I wasn't as sure about that. lol. I mean, a murder would still be a great addition, yes, but the book does carry itself very well without one.
The only thing that detracted from it a small bit was that I had some minor difficulties keeping track of some of the more minor side characters. There were a lot of characters to keep track of here. Otherwise, this book flowed well and I could easily read it for a couple of hours at a time, or a chapter at a time.
I really enjoyed this, and I'm sad that it's mostly out of print, but there does seem to be a lot of used paperbacks available to purchase online at a cheap price, so there is that. And I hear that in the UK you can buy the eBook, just not in the US. But if you get a chance, read it. It's a nice relaxing read, which is what we can all use right about now, I suspect.
My book group got discussing the fact that a murder would have been a great addition to the book, but by the time I got to the end last night, I wasn't as sure about that. lol. I mean, a murder would still be a great addition, yes, but the book does carry itself very well without one.
The only thing that detracted from it a small bit was that I had some minor difficulties keeping track of some of the more minor side characters. There were a lot of characters to keep track of here. Otherwise, this book flowed well and I could easily read it for a couple of hours at a time, or a chapter at a time.
I really enjoyed this, and I'm sad that it's mostly out of print, but there does seem to be a lot of used paperbacks available to purchase online at a cheap price, so there is that. And I hear that in the UK you can buy the eBook, just not in the US. But if you get a chance, read it. It's a nice relaxing read, which is what we can all use right about now, I suspect.
November 29, 2008
If you're stuck in a cabin in the woods and a bear ate all your good books, you could turn to this piece of gossamer fluff in order to while away the empty hours. But be sure to weigh it down with a rock when you're not holding in your hands or it'll float away. This is farce-and-nonsense; it's Benny Hill-meets AbFab-meets-an-East End drag show. All of which is flawless if you're into in, depressing if you're not (as they say in _Boys in the Band_). It's mostly just silly. I admit it: sometimes we're in the mood for silly. Just don't go looking for anything here that you'll remember the morning after (and, for god's sake, please don't compare it to Wodehouse). It's a collection of broad stereotypes (and stereotyped broads), including tippling servants, sexually repressed ex-soldiers, Italians who can't stop ****ing, and mad English "ladies" whose station has been reduced by a reversal of fortune. It's about as original as the spit-take and as amusing as Le Pétomane. Characters fly in and out by the dozens and the dialogue often becomes a delirium of double-entendres (sometimes so forced they seemed to have been tortured into submission). Indeed, when Corlett really gets going on the repartee, he forgets that he has a plot to deal with. All in all, it's more fun than a teethcleaning.
July 9, 2024
A brilliantly funny book examining the always extraordinary ins and Outs of provincial English life with it's manifold snobberies. I came to read this book because I'd read and loved this author's last book Now and Then and this book unfortunately suffers in comparison. But then it completely different sort of novel. If you enjoy novels set in the English countryside then I'm sure you will like this. If you have read any of Mr. Corlett's other fine novels then you will know you are getting a quality read.
May 11, 2018
Après un démarrage difficile (on entre directement dans le vif du sujet sans réel présentation des personnages, et j'avais sûrement aussi un peu la tête ailleurs), je me suis bien amusée à lire ce vaudeville qui, et bien que restant trop long à mon goût, pose de vraies questions sur le respect des différences dans notre société.
May 17, 2012
Quiet English village, Bellingford, is set aflutter by the two new residents from London: Rich and Bless, euphemistically known as the "two gentlemen sharing". Despite full attempts to be friendly and to integrate, some long-time residents see their residency as a sign of moral degeneration that must be stopped. It doesn’t help that right following their arrival a whole host of strange characters also crash into town.
William Corlett’s comic novel delivers plenty of wackiness, while also being quite sweet. Bless and Rich try to navigate a massive change in lifestyles and their new commitment with plenty of natural uncertainty and uneasiness, only to be thrown into surreal situations including the arrival of an Italian Duke, a woman looking for an exorcism, and villagers’ secrets that have just been percolating waiting for the right moment to explode .
I didn’t have high expectations for this book aside from being an entertaining read. But despite some predictable moments, this was a very fun read. While not as a rich in language as P.G. Wodehouse, the plot and insanely eccentric characters certainly make me think this might be something he would have come up with if he was writing for an LGTB-friendly audience in the modern day.
William Corlett’s comic novel delivers plenty of wackiness, while also being quite sweet. Bless and Rich try to navigate a massive change in lifestyles and their new commitment with plenty of natural uncertainty and uneasiness, only to be thrown into surreal situations including the arrival of an Italian Duke, a woman looking for an exorcism, and villagers’ secrets that have just been percolating waiting for the right moment to explode .
I didn’t have high expectations for this book aside from being an entertaining read. But despite some predictable moments, this was a very fun read. While not as a rich in language as P.G. Wodehouse, the plot and insanely eccentric characters certainly make me think this might be something he would have come up with if he was writing for an LGTB-friendly audience in the modern day.
November 2, 2010
This was like reading a slate for a situation comedy...
While I enjoyed the book to a certain extent it didn't win me over. I read William Corlett's other book (NOW AND THEN) which is a much better book (5 Stars). This is just 'ok'. I wouldn't run out & recommend it very strongly. There were a bit too many characters for my liking. It was a cute concept of a gossip-ridden little village somewhere in England--which seems rather realistic (in parts). Enjoy...if you need to.
While I enjoyed the book to a certain extent it didn't win me over. I read William Corlett's other book (NOW AND THEN) which is a much better book (5 Stars). This is just 'ok'. I wouldn't run out & recommend it very strongly. There were a bit too many characters for my liking. It was a cute concept of a gossip-ridden little village somewhere in England--which seems rather realistic (in parts). Enjoy...if you need to.
July 16, 2018
Drôle et léger!
November 6, 2016
I did indeed laugh out loud a few times, but I was bored also for part of the time. 390 pages is a lot for such a trifle! There are some amusing bits in "Two Gentlemen Sharing," which indeed builds upon a very long and honorable tradition of English Pastoral Romantic Comedy (for example, see "As You Like It" by Will "the Bard" Shakespeare). Interestingly, although this novel was published in 1997, parts of it already now (in 2016) already seem incredibly dated in terms of the social prejudices and attitudes. I do feel that a good editor could have helped Mr. Corlett cut out about 40% of the book, and it would have made the novel tighter, breezier, and a lot more fun.
November 13, 2009
I was going to try to go out with a big splashy review bang on this one, which marks not only the last in a run of reviews of mediocre white gay dude books, but also THE LAST OF MY 2008 BOOK REVIEWS!!! But then I found this guy's review and decided that I'm not nearly sassy enough to come up with anything better than his. So I'll leave you with that. So long, 2008!
October 12, 2015
A fun sort of melodrama set in the English countryside. Quirky characters like one would see in TV shows such as "Doc Martin" made me laugh out loud, but in the end the story says something real about life anywhere.
January 16, 2010
I bought this on the strength of 'Now and Then' which is a powerful and moving gay novel. This is flimsy and strained by comparison.
September 4, 2023
в одном из самых любимых книжных в риге, robert’s books — это литературный секонд-хэнд, и там есть алкоголь и кофе, и мероприятия проходят, а в туалете — страшная редкость! — стоят бесплатные менструальные продукты — так вот, там есть полка с квир литературой, на ней я этот роман и нашла.
задумка — очаровательная. роман об английской деревне, с ее обязательными эксцентричными и нелепыми персонажками и персонажами и их конфликтами, плюс роман об открытой гей паре, которая туда переезжает, — и их конфликтами.
сам роман же — ну, мне потребовалось время, чтобы втянуться. сначала было тяжело запомнить, как кого зовут — толпа персонажек и персонажей были представлены очень массово. потом было тяжело увлечься — вроде происходящее и было достаточно забавно, вздорно, бодро — но я читала главу и откладывала на день или на несколько, потом читала еще одну главу и снова откладывала. отчасти это было из-за того, что я читала бумажную книгу, что я не особенно люблю. отчасти — из-за манеры повествования. оно написано как сценарий. все происходящее отлично визуализировалось, было разбиты на сцены скорее похожие на сцены в кино, а не в литературе, и у м��ня возникала некоторая досада — зачем я читаю, если можно было бы посмотреть (посмотреть нельзя, экранизации нет, и зря, из книжки вышел бы очень симпатичный короткий сериал).
где-то к последней трети я наконец разогналась. на меня снизошел твист — чему я была рада, потому что я не подозревала о том, что он есть, пока внезапно не догадалась, в чем он заключается. я запомнила, как кого зовут и чем кто от кого отличается. я привыкла к манере повествования. к концу книжка мне понравилась, и настолько, что я даже подумала, не хочу ли оставить ее дома. теперь, через пару дней, уже не уверена — а сейчас еще меньше, потому что увидела, что ее можно взять на internet archive. если мне когда-нибудь захочется перечитать, я могу это сделать там.
в итоге — это симпатичный роман, который я рекомендую, если таких хочется. там есть спорные моменты в плане сексизма, но они не ужасные (это конец девяностых, если сравнивать с другими книгами периода, эта — почти феминистская).
и как современный роман об английской деревне — тоже рекомендую, не одними же книгами первой половины двадцатого века жить.
*
а еще там упоминается гертруда стайн и алиса токлас, а это всегда радостно!
задумка — очаровательная. роман об английской деревне, с ее обязательными эксцентричными и нелепыми персонажками и персонажами и их конфликтами, плюс роман об открытой гей паре, которая туда переезжает, — и их конфликтами.
сам роман же — ну, мне потребовалось время, чтобы втянуться. сначала было тяжело запомнить, как кого зовут — толпа персонажек и персонажей были представлены очень массово. потом было тяжело увлечься — вроде происходящее и было достаточно забавно, вздорно, бодро — но я читала главу и откладывала на день или на несколько, потом читала еще одну главу и снова откладывала. отчасти это было из-за того, что я читала бумажную книгу, что я не особенно люблю. отчасти — из-за манеры повествования. оно написано как сценарий. все происходящее отлично визуализировалось, было разбиты на сцены скорее похожие на сцены в кино, а не в литературе, и у м��ня возникала некоторая досада — зачем я читаю, если можно было бы посмотреть (посмотреть нельзя, экранизации нет, и зря, из книжки вышел бы очень симпатичный короткий сериал).
где-то к последней трети я наконец разогналась. на меня снизошел твист — чему я была рада, потому что я не подозревала о том, что он есть, пока внезапно не догадалась, в чем он заключается. я запомнила, как кого зовут и чем кто от кого отличается. я привыкла к манере повествования. к концу книжка мне понравилась, и настолько, что я даже подумала, не хочу ли оставить ее дома. теперь, через пару дней, уже не уверена — а сейчас еще меньше, потому что увидела, что ее можно взять на internet archive. если мне когда-нибудь захочется перечитать, я могу это сделать там.
в итоге — это симпатичный роман, который я рекомендую, если таких хочется. там есть спорные моменты в плане сексизма, но они не ужасные (это конец девяностых, если сравнивать с другими книгами периода, эта — почти феминистская).
и как современный роман об английской деревне — тоже рекомендую, не одними же книгами первой половины двадцатого века жить.
*
а еще там упоминается гертруда стайн и алиса токлас, а это всегда радостно!
March 23, 2018
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Deux Garçons Bien sous tous Rapports ?
"Ce livre était dans ma wishlist depuis tellement longtemps qu'honnêtement je ne saurais plus vous dire ni pourquoi ni comment il avait atterri là. Mais quand j'ai vu que Pavillons Poche le réédité, j'ai sauté sur l'occasion."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Bless et Rich ont décidé de sauter le pas et de s'installer ensemble, choisissant pour cela une belle demeure à la campagne, dans le petit village de Bellingford. Mais Rich doit très vite repartir travailler et Bless se retrouve seul à affronter ses nouveaux voisins, pas tous ravis de leur arrivée..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"Sa note sur différents sites internet n'est pas forcément très élevée et comme j'ai été plutôt déçue dernièrement par plusieurs lectures anglaises, je dois dire que je m'attendais presque à ce que ce soit de nouveau le cas. En réalité, je me suis régalée. Je me suis beaucoup amusée dans ce petit village anglais, tout chamboulé par l'arrivée de nouveaux venus qui ne sont autres que deux messieurs seuls, une façon polie de dire qu'ils sont en couple. Le personnage de Bless, jeune et un peu perdu, est aussi extrêmement attachant. Malheureusement, vers le milieu de l'histoire, on tombe vraiment dans l'exagération avec des rebondissements ridicules et rocambolesques qui, à mon sens, n'étaient pas du tout utiles. Mais il suffit de faire abstraction de quelques éléments pour passer un bon moments avec tout ce petit monde."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"J'ai aimé la fin même si là encore ça part un peu dans tous les sens. Si ça n'en est pas moins drôle, ça enlève un peu de force au propos et c'est quand même dommage parce que parler d'homosexualité avec humour reste essentiel aujourd'hui."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"Ce livre était dans ma wishlist depuis tellement longtemps qu'honnêtement je ne saurais plus vous dire ni pourquoi ni comment il avait atterri là. Mais quand j'ai vu que Pavillons Poche le réédité, j'ai sauté sur l'occasion."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Bless et Rich ont décidé de sauter le pas et de s'installer ensemble, choisissant pour cela une belle demeure à la campagne, dans le petit village de Bellingford. Mais Rich doit très vite repartir travailler et Bless se retrouve seul à affronter ses nouveaux voisins, pas tous ravis de leur arrivée..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"Sa note sur différents sites internet n'est pas forcément très élevée et comme j'ai été plutôt déçue dernièrement par plusieurs lectures anglaises, je dois dire que je m'attendais presque à ce que ce soit de nouveau le cas. En réalité, je me suis régalée. Je me suis beaucoup amusée dans ce petit village anglais, tout chamboulé par l'arrivée de nouveaux venus qui ne sont autres que deux messieurs seuls, une façon polie de dire qu'ils sont en couple. Le personnage de Bless, jeune et un peu perdu, est aussi extrêmement attachant. Malheureusement, vers le milieu de l'histoire, on tombe vraiment dans l'exagération avec des rebondissements ridicules et rocambolesques qui, à mon sens, n'étaient pas du tout utiles. Mais il suffit de faire abstraction de quelques éléments pour passer un bon moments avec tout ce petit monde."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"J'ai aimé la fin même si là encore ça part un peu dans tous les sens. Si ça n'en est pas moins drôle, ça enlève un peu de force au propos et c'est quand même dommage parce que parler d'homosexualité avec humour reste essentiel aujourd'hui."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
November 21, 2023
The first thing to note is that this book is dated. Which is a good thing from the perspective of being able to see how much social progress has been made since 1997; a bad thing for enjoyment in the face of what were socially-accepted slurs.
I did enjoy quite a few aspects of this novel - the comic writing and 'timing' in scenes was entertaining. At times it felt soap-like, like a really long episode of Emmerdale. Whilst it featured perhaps my favourite shock-twist ever (bold claim), I can't help but feel that the protagonist Bless and those around him were woefully two-dimensional.
I did enjoy quite a few aspects of this novel - the comic writing and 'timing' in scenes was entertaining. At times it felt soap-like, like a really long episode of Emmerdale. Whilst it featured perhaps my favourite shock-twist ever (bold claim), I can't help but feel that the protagonist Bless and those around him were woefully two-dimensional.
May 23, 2023
This book sat on a shelf for 26 years! I bought it as I had loved Now and Then, but I put it down after a few pages as soon as I realised that it was going to be a different type of book. However, we clearly change over the years, and I'm so happy I saw this still-brand new copy in the house. My husband said he never saw me burst out laughing while reading a book before. I totally loved it and couldn't recommend it more.
March 27, 2019
It's funny, refreshing, relaxing. Who needs more. The book entertains
December 15, 2020
Exactly the kind of light reading needed to lift the spirits during Covid19 restrictions.
August 25, 2021
enjoyed the first bit more than later on when it got complicated but a good lighthearted romp
November 7, 2021
Fabulous! Comedic, queer and entertaining. Village life at its best!
February 25, 2020
This story wasn't either as funny or as touching as it tried to be. It aims to be the sort of screwball comedy that the inimitable P. G. Wodehouse wrote, except with much more emotional warmth, but doesn't come any closer to the comedy than others have trying the same feat, while the warmth is pretty tepid.
But I did laugh at several stretches of the dialog, was mildly amused at most of the situations, and was interested enough to read the whole too-long thing, so I'm subtracting only 1 star from my 5 that mean hits-its-bullseye.
But I did laugh at several stretches of the dialog, was mildly amused at most of the situations, and was interested enough to read the whole too-long thing, so I'm subtracting only 1 star from my 5 that mean hits-its-bullseye.
January 2, 2011
This charming novel, set in the English countryside, follows the (mis)adventures of a gay couple who buy an estate in a small English village, shaken to its very foundations by their arrival, which brings with it (temporally, if not causally) a whole host of upheavals. Farcical at points, but mostly gently amusing, the novel suffered at points from having a bit too much in the way of eccentric characters, not to mention a few horrible stereotypes wandering around, but it also had some very readable bits. Cute.
June 2, 2012
A light-hearted read, with a wry twist to the plot. Not great literature, but a gem in its own narrow niche. Fun, quirky, romantic w/o sappy, overblown sex. Wish there were a whole lot more like it. There are some laugh-out-loud images here. A tale of a nice gay couple who seem, at the end, to be more "normal" than the quaint English countryside around them. This would make a delightful, light, comedic movie.
Read
March 8, 2008So charming & funny!
June 27, 2014
I'd almost give it 3 1/2 stars. Funny and madcap with some quite sweet moments. Unfortunately some of the shenanigans tended to get more irritating than amusing.
October 2, 2014
well done but extremely busy. if you put it down you may forget your way by the time you return.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews