The Stranger's Child, by Alan Hollinghurst

I like Hollinghurst's books very much, ever since I read The Line of Beauty. He writes beautifully, and The Stranger's Child is just as elegantly written as one would expect, but it somehow falls short compared to his other books, like The Line of Beauty, The Swimming Pool Library or The Folding Star. This one is too long; it's always an enjoyable read, but sometimes one feels the author has become a little too self-indulgent, self-satisfied with his own story. There are great scenes, though, and the themes of the evolution of gay life in England along the 20th century and of the literary biography / memory are very well depicted. All in all, it's a very good book and a most enjoyable read, but Hollinghurst has far better work.