Published July 2012 272 pages, Paperback 198x130mm, Portrait ISBN-10: 1907429352 ISBN-13: 9781907429354
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In the 1950s John Wilmot, an attractive teenager, has come to the capital looking for the success and wealth it can offer to those from the provinces. He is courted by Oliver
Cambourne - an older man and an established artist - and, despite not perceiving himself as homosexual, John appears to reciprocate Oliver's feelings, eager for the opportunities
that may arrive through his status as Oliver's lover.
The developing relationship is skilfully and deftly drawn, as it becomes evident that Oliver's passion is consuming, unlike John's, and that John has invested in an image of
himself as a novelist of genius, and needs Oliver to confirm and develop this idea.
The themes of love, deception (and self-deception), betrayal and religious experience are interwoven into this scenario and
through a typically ingenious Benatar narrative structure.
'I enjoyed every sensitive page' TLS
'Handles tricky material with conviction and assurance' The Guardian
Stephen Benatar - London born, Stephen Benatar’s first novel was published when he
was 44, and he acknowledges the support and inspiration of Pamela
Hansford Johnson in this achievement. Seven more novels followed,
including, uniquely, one published by a borough council. Gillian Carey - Gillian Carey had a career in school-teaching which she gave up to have
a family. She then became Fellow and Tutor in English at Manchester College, Oxford,Oxford’s only college with an intake of
exclusively ‘mature’ students.
By the same author or foreword writer:When I was Otherwise By Stephen Benatar; Gillian Carey (Introduction)
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