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Set against the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, WHILE ENGLAND SLEEPS tells the story of the love affair between Brian Botsford, an upper-class young writer, and Edward Phelan, an idealistic, self-educated employee of the London Underground and a member of the Communist party. Though by far the better educated of the two Brian is also more callow, convinced that his homosexuality is something he will outgrow. Edward, on the other hand, possesses 'an unproblematic capacity to accept' both Brian and the unorthodox nature of their love for each other - until one day, at the urging of his wealthy aunt Constance, Brian agrees to be set up with a 'suitable' young woman...and soon enough Edward is pushed to the point of crisis. Fleeing, he volunteers to fight in Spain, where he ends up in prison. Brian, responsible for Edward's flight, must pursue him across Europe, into the violent chaos of war.… (mere)
Londres, 1936. Mientras Inglaterra duerme, Hitler toma el poder y en España estalla la Guerra Civil. Brian Botsford, el protagonista de esta esperada y polémica novela, es un joven escritor que acaba de regresar de Berlín y que rechaza el conservadurismo de la clase a la que pertenece, queriendo comprometerse con el mundo en el que vive. En una reunión de apoyo a la causa republicana española conoce a Edward Phelan, un joven proletario con el que inicia una intensa relación amorosa. Pero Brian cree que su homosexualidad es solo una fase que dejará atrás y comienza una confusa relación con una mujer, mientras que Edward, más apasionado y sincero en todos sus compromisos, se marcha a combatir en España.
This book about gay life in the 1930s in the context of the Spanish Civil War was briefly banned in the UK, after Stephen Spender sued on the basis that part of the book was taken from his autobiography. An extraordinary act, it seems to me, based on the sheer unlikeability of the lead character Brian. Brian Botsford is an upper class Cambridge graduate, attempting to write in 1930s London and part of a largely homosexual milieu. Edward, his lover, is a working class man who works on the Tube. Brian's first person narrative continually skewers him as delusional about his sexuality, snobbish, incapable of sexual fidelity, with no political ideals, a sponger for money and eventually - quel horreur - a Hollywood script writer. It's rare to find a writer willing to be so ruthless about the appalling nature of a first person narrator. The writing is always very readable, the sex is graphic (not to be read by the prudish), and the book occasionally feels as if it would have benefited from being given a bit more time.
Homosexuality as background for this tale of two lovers set apart by class and idealism. Leavitt writes an interesting historical novel of love and its many challenges. ( )
Set against the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, While England Sleeps tells the story of a love affair between the aristocratic young British writer Brian Botsford, who thinks homosexuality is something he will outgrow, and Edward Phelan, a sensitive and idealistic working-class employee of the London Underground and a Communist party member. When the strains of class difference, sexual taboo, and Brian's ambivalence impel Edward to volunteer to fight against Franco in Spain, Brian pursues him across Europe and into the violent chaos of war.
Oplysninger fra den engelske Almen VidenRedigér teksten, så den bliver dansk.
...and then the huge peaceful wilderness of outer London, the barges on the miry river, the familiar streets, the posters telling of cricket matches and Royal weddings, the men in bowler hats, the pigeons in Trafalgar Square, the red buses, the blue policemen - all sleeping the deep, deep sleep of England, from which I sometimes fear that we shall never wake till we are joked out of it by the roar of bombs.
-George Orwell, 'Homage to Catalonia'
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Oplysninger fra den engelske Almen VidenRedigér teksten, så den bliver dansk.
For Giovanni Forti, in loving memory 'What courage I have shown is in the telling.'
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Set against the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe, WHILE ENGLAND SLEEPS tells the story of the love affair between Brian Botsford, an upper-class young writer, and Edward Phelan, an idealistic, self-educated employee of the London Underground and a member of the Communist party. Though by far the better educated of the two Brian is also more callow, convinced that his homosexuality is something he will outgrow. Edward, on the other hand, possesses 'an unproblematic capacity to accept' both Brian and the unorthodox nature of their love for each other - until one day, at the urging of his wealthy aunt Constance, Brian agrees to be set up with a 'suitable' young woman...and soon enough Edward is pushed to the point of crisis. Fleeing, he volunteers to fight in Spain, where he ends up in prison. Brian, responsible for Edward's flight, must pursue him across Europe, into the violent chaos of war.
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