The Line of Beauty

by Alan Hollinghurst
The Line of Beauty cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 626
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-01
  • ISBN: 9780330483216
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2005-01-01
  • Formats: 49
  • Reviews: 4

Winner of the Man Booker Prize, Alan Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty is a masterful novel that delves into the complexities of class, politics, and sexuality during Margaret Thatcher's era. The story unfolds in the summer of 1983, as young Nick Guest moves into the Notting Hill home of the Feddens, a family deeply entrenched in the political and social elite. Nick, innocent of the intricacies of power and wealth, finds himself drawn into their world while grappling with his own desires and the beauty that surrounds him. The Line of Beauty is not just a story of personal discovery but also a vivid portrayal of a decade marked by change and upheaval. Through Nick's eyes, Hollinghurst explores themes of identity, belonging, and the elusive nature of beauty, crafting a narrative that is both intimate and expansive. The novel's intricate prose and richly drawn characters make it a timeless exploration of human nature and the societal structures that shape our lives.

Reviews
BookerTalk · 2021-09-09
mixed 2.50

The novel is praised for its literary merit but criticized for being slow and repetitive. It offers a nuanced portrait of 1980s Britain.

The reviewer acknowledges the novel's literary merit and its impact on winning the Booker Prize. However, they find the pacing to be a significant drawback, describing it as painfully slow and repetitive. Despite this, they appreciate the nuanced portrait of 1980s Britain that the novel provides. The reviewer suggests that while the book is a chore to read at times, it offers a rich exploration of class, politics, and sexuality that makes it a worthwhile endeavor for dedicated readers.

Quick quotes

    The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst wowed the Booker Prize judges but it's a chore to read.

    It's a painfully slow and repetitive tale of ...

    The novel offers a nuanced portrait of 1980s Britain.

The Guardian · 2011-07-22
engaging 4.00

The novel is explicit about sex but leaves much to the reader's imagination. The prose is rich and evocative, capturing the essence of the 1980s.

The reviewer appreciates how the book handles explicit content with subtlety, allowing readers to infer much of what happens. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the atmosphere and social dynamics of the 1980s with a keen eye for detail. The prose is described as rich and evocative, making the reading experience immersive. The reviewer also notes the book's exploration of beauty and desire, which are central themes that resonate throughout the narrative.

Quick quotes

    The Line of Beauty is perfectly explicit about sex when it wants to be, but by this point readers don't need to be told what has happened.

    The prose is rich and evocative, capturing the essence of the 1980s.

    The novel explores beauty and desire with a keen eye for detail.

The New York Times · 2004-10-31
clever 4.50

The book is notable for its clever critique of the era while maintaining a warm praise for its characters. The reviewer appreciates the intricate portrayal of class and sexuality.

The reviewer highlights the book's clever critique of the political and social climate of the 1980s while maintaining a warm and affectionate portrayal of its characters. They appreciate the intricate exploration of class and sexuality, finding the narrative both insightful and engaging. The reviewer notes that the book's strength lies in its ability to balance critique with empathy, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    It is a notable cleverness of the book that, while acutely critical of her period in office, there is nothing but the warmest praise voiced for ...

    The book's strength lies in its ability to balance critique with empathy.

    The intricate exploration of class and sexuality is both insightful and engaging.

The Believer · 2004-10-01
enjoyable 4.00

The prose is witty and forgiving, making the novel accessible and enjoyable. The novel excels in its depiction of social gatherings and interactions.

The reviewer finds the prose style of the novel to be witty and forgiving, which makes it accessible and enjoyable to read. They particularly appreciate the novel's focus on eventful gatherings rather than propulsive action, highlighting Hollinghurst's skill in depicting social interactions and dynamics. The reviewer suggests that these scenes are where the novel truly shines, offering a rich and nuanced exploration of the characters and their relationships. Overall, they find the novel to be a compelling read that effectively captures the essence of its time period.

Quick quotes

    Fortunately for the casual reader, Hollinghurst's actual prose style is much more forgiving than the Master's.

    Thoroughly witty, yes, and ...

    The novel excels in its depiction of social gatherings and interactions.

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