Grattan shrewdly lets readers grow with Gordon. He unselfconsciously obsesses over the signs of Philip’s 70 years, but more slowly realizes his obsession with his own youth, with being seen and seeing himself. In this fine, affecting novel, Grattan’s subtle, true portrayals and sharp dialogue make a highly enjoyable read even more so.
Affecting ... The novel builds on the self-involved, sometimes cruel protagonists of Edmund White’s early work, though Gordon learns to rein himself in instead of committing more mayhem. This story of a miscreant who grows up will stick with you long after the last page.
