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The Sparsholt Affair
- Narrated by: David Dawson
- Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins
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The Sparsholt Affair
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Publisher's Summary
'Call Me By Your Name meets Evelyn Waugh in a gorgeous novel about the generations-long aftershocks of a youthful tryst' — Esquire
From the winner of the Man Booker Prize, a masterly novel that spans seven transformative decades as it plumbs the complex relationships of a remarkable family.
In October 1940, the handsome young David Sparsholt arrives in Oxford. A keen athlete and oarsman, he at first seems unaware of the effect he has on others – particularly on the lonely and romantic Evert Dax, son of a celebrated novelist and destined to become a writer himself. While the Blitz rages in London, Oxford exists at a strange remove: an ephemeral, uncertain place, in which nightly blackouts conceal secret liaisons. Over the course of one momentous term, David and Evert forge an unlikely friendship that will colour their lives for decades to come . . .
Alan Hollinghurst’s sweeping novel evokes the intimate relationships of a group of friends bound together by art, literature and love across three generations. It explores the social and sexual revolutions of the most pivotal years of the past century, whose life-changing consequences are still being played out to this day. Richly observed, disarmingly witty and emotionally charged, The Sparsholt Affair is an unmissable achievement from one of our finest writers.
Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.
'Startling, radical, embedded in tradition but entirely new' - Guardian
'A master storyteller' - John Banville
What listeners say about The Sparsholt Affair
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B_R
- 22-05-2018
Artful subtlety
Reading Alan Hollinghurst is like gazing at a painting for hours and constantly discovering new things in it. He has the ability to capture subtlety and gesture and nuance like no other writer. imho. In this book, things as simple as a glance between two people is given time and space to develop, so as a reader you can see the story playing out like a movie behind your eyes. From The Saprsholt Affair I have discovered listening to a Hollinghurst is more effective than reading one in order to glean these nuances and artful subtlety.
This is not a plot heavy drama but rather a book of passion and simplicity. I enjoyed all the characters and felt invested in their lives and loves. I did not need an extravagant plot to enjoy it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Awesome
- 23-10-2021
extraordinary
I've now listened to all of Hollinghurst's novels. This book is extraordinary. 100% recommend. My favourite narrator is still Samuel West, and maybe my fav book is "the folding star", but "the sparsholt affair" is most definitely a work of genius and David Dawson does an amazing job. My recommendation is to listen to all of Hollinghurst's novels in chronological order if you can.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- maree
- 10-03-2018
Great story, wonderful performance
So loved this book. Interesting story- wonderful attention to detail and nuance.
Fantastic listening to the performer who brought the writing alive.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Rodney Wetherell
- 28-02-2018
Rambling tale of gay life
I was disappointed in Alan Hollinghurst's latest novel. It comes alive when there is homo-erotic tension in a situation, but without that, it lapses into dreary narrative about uninteresting people (at least in many cases). Having the title character so wooden is a big problem too. I enjoyed it in some patches only, and was glad when I had finished the novel.
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