First published 2006
William Beckwith moves through London's gay scene with the ease that comes from aristocratic privilege. His days blend together in a haze of casual encounters and poolside lounging until he meets Lord Nantwich, an aging gentleman with stories from colonial Africa. The old man wants someone to write his biography, to capture a vanishing world before it disappears entirely. As William considers taking on the project, he finds himself drawn into Nantwich's past while navigating his own present of sexual freedom and social position. Their unlikely friendship bridges generations and classes, connecting two men who share desires that society has only recently begun to tolerate. The relationship forces William to confront what he might inherit from the older generation and what he might lose as the world changes around them.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, gay
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Africa, London
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
Audio CD · BBC Audiobooks
Content warnings: sexual-content