Book Review: "Our Evenings" by Alan Hollinghurst

Many people were telling me about how I needed to read this book, especially if I had read The Swimming Pool Library. It's been a few years since I'd read The Swimming Pool Library and the one thing I remember is not really enjoying it as much as I had hoped. When it comes to Our Evenings there are a number of things that I enjoy about the storyline and quite a few things that I do not. And so, I can definitely say that my opinion on this 'modern classic' is somewhere in the ballpark of 'maybe, but not quite'. So, my opinion about Alan Hollinghurst remains the same. I like his stories, but his writing is a bit dry for my tastes - a bit too much dialogue.

This is the story of Dave Win, a mixed-race, gay man reflecting on the formative experiences of his life. Told from his perspective in late middle age, the novel spans six decades, exploring Dave’s personal history and its intersection with broader societal changes, including gay liberation and race relations. Dave begins his story in the 1960s as a 13-year-old scholarship student at Bampton, a prestigious school in the Berkshire Downs. On a visit to the wealthy family who funded his scholarship, Dave is introduced to their entitled son, Giles, who bullies him—a pattern that persists throughout their lives. Giles grows up to become a Tory MP and later an arts minister, while Dave follows a contrasting path, pursuing a career in the arts. The rivalry between the two continues to resurface, subtly shaping the novel’s narrative arc. Now, I think you can see what I mean by liking the actual stories he writes, but not the way he writes them. He can write some brilliant descriptive scenes, but a lot of the time there is far too much talking - too much pointless chatter.

In his twenties, Dave moves to London, where he immerses himself in the city’s vibrant theatre scene and the growing freedoms of gay life. He forms a relationship with Hector, a charismatic Black actor whose eventual departure leaves Dave grappling with a sense of loss and missed opportunities. These years are characterised by energy, sexual exploration, and artistic achievement, capturing the brisk pace of youth.The novel also explores Dave’s professional life in theatre, including a triumphant performance in Vaughan Williams’s Oxford Elegy. During one such performance, Giles’s arrival by helicopter disrupts the event, symbolising the enduring tension between their worlds. Dave’s ability to channel his frustration into an impassioned recitation underscores his growth and resilience. This part of the book is better than the first. There is less pointless chatter and more of the characters seem to be established rather than the exposition of 'learn about this character through the way they speak'.

As the decades pass, Dave reflects on pivotal moments in his personal and professional life. He revisits Woolpeck, the home of Giles’s parents, who were supportive of his early artistic pursuits. This place, both a source of inspiration and a reminder of inequalities, remains a touchstone for Dave, representing the interplay between privilege and creativity in his life. There are huge changes the character goes through in the book and yet, there is far more to the story than this. I definitely thought that the book got better as it went on. I have to admit, that I didn't like the beginning so much that I actually stopped reading it for about a day or so, reading other books in between. Then, I gathered up my courage and went back to Our Evenings. And to be fair, when you realise why the book is titled this way, it is quite clever but also quite subtle.

I think that there was something about this novel that was slightly better than The Swimming Pool Library and The Line of Beauty. But his writing style is still too chatty for me. I prefer writers like William Boyd, where dialogue and description are perfectly balanced. However, I am glad I tried this one out. If you enjoy lengthy conversations and lots of interesting characters then this book is definitely for you. However, if you're like me and you like flowery and intense descriptions that go on forever then it is probably not going to be something you enjoy too much.