Reading the 20th Century discussion

Welcome to our September 2023 group read of...



The Go-Between (1953)

by

L.P. Hartley


L.P. Hartley's moving exploration of a young boy's loss of innocence The Go-Between is edited with an introduction and notes by Douglas Brooks-Davies in Penguin Modern Classics.

When one long, hot summer, young Leo is staying with a school-friend at Brandham Hall, he begins to act as a messenger between Ted, the farmer, and Marian, the beautiful young woman up at the hall. He becomes drawn deeper and deeper into their dangerous game of deceit and desire, until his role brings him to a shocking and premature revelation. The haunting story of a young boy's awakening into the secrets of the adult world, The Go-Between is also an unforgettable evocation of the boundaries of Edwardian society.

Leslie Poles Hartley (1895-1972) was born in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, and educated at Harrow and Balliol College, Oxford. For more than thirty years from 1923 he was an indefatigable fiction reviewer for periodicals including the Spectator and Saturday Review. His first book, Night Fears (1924) was a collection of short stories; but it was not until the publication of Eustace and Hilda (1947), which won the James Tait Black prize, that Hartley gained widespread recognition as an author. His other novels include The Go-Between (1953), which was adapted into an internationally-successful film starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates, and The Hireling (1957), the film version of which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.


'Magical and disturbing'
Independent

'On a first reading, it is a beautifully wrought description of a small boy's loss of innocence long ago. But, visited a second time, the knowledge of approaching, unavoidable tragedy makes it far more poignant and painful'
Express

'The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there'


Feel free to contribute at any time

See you in September, or before and after

I've been wondering for ages what that picture is of on the Penguin cover above: it looks Aboriginal to me and I'm not sure what the significance is - can anyone enlighten me?

I don't know for sure but have always assumed it's the back of a statue from antiquity - probably of Hermes, as he was a messenger

I think it might be a statue of ?cupid...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/pic...

Nigeyb wrote: "I don't know for sure but have always assumed it's the back of a statue from antiquity - probably of Hermes, as he was a messenger"

Yes, of course, Hermes, that makes much more sense. Sorry, I posted before I checked for more replies.

Nigeyb wrote: "I don't know for sure but have always assumed it's the back of a statue from antiquity - probably of Hermes, as he was a messenger"

But Hermes/Mercury was usually represented with his winged sandals. That Guardian close up looks like the object on his back is a quiver of arrows which would fit with Cupid/Eros. I originally thought it was a cricket bat on first glance!

Postie delivered my copy this very day



1987 Penguin Modern Classics edition, not the greatest cover, and tiny type too, but who cares with a novel this good?

The Go-Between

The Go-Between is a Kindle Deal of the Day today. If you are thinking of joining in, snap this up today for 99p.

Susan wrote:


"The Go-Between

The Go-Between is a Kindle Deal of the Day today. If you are thinking of joining in, snap this up today for 99p."

I should have held on before splashing £2.50 on a second hand copy with tiny type

Thanks Susan - v helpful tip

I’m going in 🫶🏻


It’s a reread of one of my all time faves, so it’s just a question of how much I’m going to love it….


The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there

I am currently enjoying the audible version, Nigeyb. Decided to listen, rather than read, this time.

I'm looking forward to this one. I've never read it, but I did watch the film; I was hoping I'd forget the ending, but I don't think I will.

Great News


An audio listen must be fab Susan

I think the novel is superior to the film - though both are great

Now that's a film I've seen, maybe twice - wonderful Julie Christie. That might be one of the reasons the story has stuck with me so strongly.

Sean Barrett suits the slow story. You feel the heat of the summer, those 'golden afternoons,' as Leo puts it.

Roman Clodia wrote: "Now that's a film I've seen, maybe twice - wonderful Julie Christie. That might be one of the reasons the story has stuck with me so strongly."

Unfortunately, it was the later one I saw; I wouldn't have watched it, but it would have been rude to leave. I'm sure everyone here would be understanding, but it would have come across as a bit uppish if I'd said "no, I can't watch it, I haven't read the book yet.". Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. 😀 I was told that the Julie Christie film was much better, (just to rub salt in the wound).

I only know the 1971 film version written by Harold Pinter, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates.

Tell us about this other film version Tania - which has completely passed me by

I am loving my reread of this splendid novel


I'm only on page 38 but already immersed in the Summer of 1900 complete with Leo's 12/13 year old self trying to make sense of the adult world. The storytelling and prose are superb

The device of Leo, as a mature adult in his 60s, looking back is a wonderful way to tell the story.

Right now Leo is grappling with the subtle class differences as he finds himself slightly out of his depth in the world of Brandham Hall in Norfolk. Even the sun is his enemy at the moment.

It’s next on my list but I’m catching up on a few other things first

Good to read Ben


I hope you love it as much as I do

I had planned to read the Brookner but am now thinking about skipping it and re-reading this instead.

I remember the tyranny of the sun and also the idea of the belladonna plant (view spoiler)['Julie Christie' character is also a bella donna... (hide spoiler)]

As I mention on the The Rules of Engagement by Anita Brookner (September 2023) discussion...


This is the first Brookner that I have found to be less than satisfactory. It's worth a read for sure but definitely not the best entry point into her work.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


A great shame as I love her work and there's so much I have yet to read. Hopefully we can organise another AB read with a better novel. That said, it's only my opinion, there are a fair few four and five star reviews on GoodReads. So please don't rely on my word - these things are so subjective.

Yes, I'll see what I feel like next month - I do remember Go-Between vividly.

Nigeyb wrote: "I only know the 1971 film version written by Harold Pinter, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates.

Tell us about this other film version Tania - which has completely..."

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4073696/

Apparently, BBC made a series of films for TV based on twentieth century classics; this was one, the only other one I know about is Cider with Rosie, but I have heard there were five altogether.

Ah yes. Thanks. I do remember now. I never saw it though. I did watch Cider With Rosie which was very well done

I found Anita Brookner quite depressing, I will see whether I am in the mood next month.

I do love this novel. The summer does feel enchanted. That last, childhood summer, before the magic is gone and adulthood breaks through.

Susan wrote:


"I do love this novel. The summer does feel enchanted"


It's palpable isn't it?

Such great writing

And what a powerful tale too

The cricket match is such a vivid chapter. So much to appreciate, not least the contradictory tensions at play

Yes, so much represented. The physical dominance of Ted. The discomfort of the higher social class. The relief when Leo is the hero.

It is interesting that Ted is referred to as a 'lad,' and makes you realise that many of the villagers, and presumably the staff at the Hall, knew what was going on.

Yes indeed. Hard to keep that kind of gossip quiet in such a small community

Tania wrote: "Nigeyb wrote: "I only know the 1971 film version written by Harold Pinter, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates.

Tell us about this other film version Tania - which..."

I watched both the BBC one and the Julie Christie, also saw Cider with Rosie - agree with Nigey it worked well. If it helps I think the others were Lady Chatterley's Lover and An Inspector Calls - saw that too but skipped Lady C. although it got a lot of press because it was directed by Jed Mercurio. I did see the Netflix version recently which wasn't too bad - great clothes.

Thanks Alwynne 👌🏻

This novel is so good at describing the increasing pressure that young Leo is under, and what this does to his emotional state. Especially once he realises that he has been used, and as the stakes start to increase.

I’m into the final 80 pages and have realised I can’t remember exactly how it ends, just the general trajectory. Needless to say I’m loving this.

Alas not too much reading time this weekend for me but hoping I can read a bit more tomorrow and Sunday.

Leo’s birthday celebration is such a nightmarish chapter and every bit as powerful second time round. What a book.

Finished. Loved it. Again.

Such fun watching your enjoyment, Nigeyb 😄

Thanks 🤠

I've got nothing to add to the review I wrote back in 2016 when I first read this fabulous novel...


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Still a five star read 👏🏼

Totally agree that the ending packs a real punch. Enjoyed the Audible version so much, with the wonderful Sean Barrett (of Slough House fame) reading. Highly recommend it.

Thanks Susan


If I see the Audible edition in a sale I’ll snap it up

I am pleased I am finished it now though as I am also also re-listening to Bad Actors and the same reader of such different books was a little strange.

Ooh yes, that ending. Even the Julie Christie film was shocking, though it was only a glimpse before the camera cuts away - quite daring for the time, I think?

I must have been around 16 when I saw it - my French teacher had a crush on Alan Bates and made us watch it. I read the book straight after.

Great news Susan


From your review....


....class, cricket, croquet on the lawn and picnics. The small victories, and crushing embarrassments, of childhood and the awareness of adult life on the periphery of Leo's senses. A wonderful novel...

👏🏼

I wish we knew, as children, how we would grow out of being embarrassed. I really don't care a jot whether people like me or not now, but at sixteen it is soul destroying to realise these things!

I've posted my review, again feeling like I'm the curmudgeon of the group!

Some interesting points you've raised there, Ben - but yes, curmudgeonly! 🤭

Fair enough Ben - it's good to have divergence and you've clearly explained why it didn't work for you