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The Gay Divorcee - Paul Burston - 03/07/09
Paul Burston's fifth novel, which flicks between London's Soho and the author's native South Wales, is claimed to be the first book to feature a civil partnership...
It opens a window onto London's gay scene which is portrayed here as fun, lavish, bitchy and – to some no doubt - shocking. Burston certainly pulls no punches.
He gives the reader a glimpse of a world where drink and drugs are rampant, and where sex is casual and often meaningless. It underpins stereotypes of homosexual men as bitchy, vain and promiscuous, but on the flip-side fun, sensitive and caring.
The main character is Phil, a successful bar owner due to tie the knot with Ashley - the villain of the piece and aptly nicknamed 'The Incredible Sulk.'
But the trouble is that Phil, unbeknown to his friends, has been married for the last 20 years - to a woman - and has never got round to applying for a divorce.
The novel sees the welcome return of Martin, the main character from the writer's first novel Shameless, whose love life features as one of the sub-plots.
True, most of the characters in the book are gay and this is essentially the target audience, but it is in essence simply a story about relationships.
It is warm, witty, funny and at times very moving. Burston's characters are extremely credible and provide an introspective insight into the gay world.
The main story and sub-plots are interwoven well to create a story that is hard to put down and Burston's comedy touches are a real delight.
The book would make a great film. Love, betrayal, friendship and humour; it would make a great rom-com. A quintessential chick-flick…minus the chicks!
(Sphere, paperback 11.99)
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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