The Sparsholt Affair
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The Sparsholt Affair
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Narrated by:
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David Dawson
About this listen
'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
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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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Tone
- 29-03-24
What happened? Story changes twice with no explanation or continuity.
what a disappointment. i really enjoyed the first story at Oxford but the author does his usual thing of suddenly moving to a different time zone with different characters and no explanation what happened to the original characters.
Its impossible to work our what the Sparshot affair is.
He cuts two stories off at critical points of interest and then takes the reader into the tedious old world of aged bitter Queens and the boring pretentious artworld.
What a coincidence that Jonny ends up with the aquaintences of his father at Oxford. what are the odds? Considering Jonny is working class, this is just a ridiculous leap of faith.
Great narrator
Beautiful prose as usual
but a terrible sledgehammer taken to what could have been a great novel for the purpose of attempting to be edgy amd alternative.
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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
- Lord Emsworth
- 20-06-18
Superb
A story which spans several decades and is told in five separate points in time. A consummate novel full of beauty, perceptive and insight. Splendidly narrated too. Exquisite.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- steph freeman
- 06-04-24
Beautifully read
Well written of course as the author is brilliant . And beautifully read. This makes all the difference
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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
- Lori Powell
- 22-10-18
Thought provoking
What an incredible story of intertwining generations and the attitude of society on the lives of lgbtq people. This book is a study in emotion; joy, acceptance, loss, grief, hate, lust. .. but above all love. Gripping and marvellous with a wonderful narrator. Highly recommended.
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 29-12-20
Terrific
Memorable, well drawn characters. The skips in time done with ease and interest. Beautiful writing.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- R M G
- 17-09-22
Fascinating tale
Beautifully described with telling detail, a generational story of father and son reflected through interweaved relationships over time.
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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
- David Scott
- 25-07-19
Truly Beautiful
Probably the finest book I have ever read. Incredibly poignant and written with such beautiful stylistic flair that the book becomes a joy to read not just for the story but for the sheer quality of the prose itself. A feat very few authors ever accomplish and speaks volumes of Hollinghurst's command of the English language.
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2 people 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
- gareth
- 02-04-24
Brilliantly Observed.
A brilliantly observed look at the historic attitudes to sexuality from WW2 to today. Alan Hollinghurst anchors his characters in sumptuous details giving them the perfect backdrop to perform in. It is a great read but also a great audio book. I didn't want it to end - again!
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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
- Noah ashworth
- 28-03-19
A triumph, Hollinghurst had me from begging to end
A stark and and reviving story of one family name through the generations. An intimate touch on a lifestyle many gay men will understand.
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4 people 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
- H.
- 11-10-18
Evocative of the periods covered...
I found the story absorbing, although occasional jumps in time were sometimes frustrating, they soon made sense.
The quality of Alan Hollinghurst's descriptions are wonderful and really conjure vision of the times, places and events described.
David Dawson's narration is the final cherry, wandering through believable regional accents with ease. I will be making sure to find other titles that utilise his narratory skills.
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1 person found this helpful