Hemlock and After [Paperback]

Angus Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2011

On its appearance in 1952 the Times Literary Supplement called Hemlock and After 'a novel of remarkable power and literary skill which deserves to be judged by the highest standards'. Angus Wilson's first novel is concerned with the hypocrisies of middle-class society. The protagonist, Bernard Sands, is a novelist and an intellectual who tries to found a centre for young writers. However, Sands is a secret homosexual and in the post-war Britain of the time his liberal ideas cause much anxiety to those in charge. Surrounded by false friends and scheming enemies Sands has to come to terms with his emotions and is forced to decide where his loyalties lie. A compassionately written novel Hemlock and After explores the conflict of duty and love in one man's life and the consequences of our choices. Written at a time when homosexuality was still an offence Hemlock and After is a brilliantly handled novel from a writer who was described by John Betjeman as 'mercilessly accurate and never dull.'

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

British writer Angus Wilson achieved fame in the late 1940s for two collections of short fiction. It was, however, the publication of Hemlock and After in 1953 that transformed him from an admired up-and-coming author to a scandalous novelist. A witty and scathing look at English literary life, Wilson's novel details the life of Bernard Sands, a noted homosexual English novelist who discovers that neither his fame nor his closet is very secure. Wilson was one of the first to write honestly and openly about gay life in post-war England, and Hemlock and After remains a classic of psychological insight and social satire. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

One of Britain's most distinguished novelists Sir Angus Wilson was born in 1913. Educated at Westminster and Merton College, Oxford he joined the British Museum as a cataloguer before being called for service in 1941. His literary career began with a collection of short-stories published in 1949. These were followed by other short-story collections, novels and plays. Co-founder with Malcolm Bradbury of the MA programme in creative writing at the University of East Anglia, Wilson was appointed professor in 1967. Chair of many literary panels, including the Booker prize, and campaigner for homosexual equality he was knighted in 1980. He died in 1991.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Faber and Faber (May 10, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571243169
• ISBN-13: 978-0571243167
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,673,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars thoughtful, August 16, 2008

By 

Paul C. Weeks (San Juan Cosalá, Jalisco, MX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hemlock and After (Paperback)

I thing this novel poses the interesting question: Is it better to do the right thing for the wrong reason, or is it better to do nothing at all? I very much enjoyed the book and have kept it in my library for rereading.

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pompous & Boring, March 28, 2007

By 

Todd A. Ostler "tao57" (Northwest Nevada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hemlock and After (Paperback)

I did not like this book at all. Granted that the author comes from a social class I do not like, but his writing fails to appeal to me when other books on upper classes do appeal to me.