Customer Reviews

The Page Turner

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Although not as bold as "The term paper artist," _The Page Turner_ similarly looks at fame and talent in art along with the sexual needs of aging gay characters and the sexual availability of young adults. I don't understand the invidious complaints revering _Lost Language_, because it seems to me that the three main character of PT are not all that different than the gay boy, the abandoned wife, and the dissatisfied husband in LL. Even more than the Anglophones in Italy first half, the denouement of the book resonates with the catastrophic misunderstandings about others in the work of E. M. Forster. (There is actually a very stilted and implausible discussion of _Maurice_ in PT.)
For me, the most implausible part of the book is the suddenness and clarity with which Paul recognizes he will not be a great pianist. Could any 18-year-old be so cooly analytical about his talent? For that matter, could the older David Leavitt? (But isn't more of him in Richard than in Paul, despite the Menlo Park upbringing?)

This novel by Leavitt has a potentially good plot as it provides space for portraying the psychology of a mother who is going to discover a homosexual relationship between her beloved son and the object of her own affection. However, the tone first half of the book does not match with the second half's. The first half focuses on the development homosexual relationship between the son and the pianist, and the second half suddenly explores the madness of the mother, and the novel at this stage is centred with the use of stream of the mother's consciouness, which consequently leads to a rather abrupt ending. Still, Virginia Woolf's works and Michael Cunningham's THE HOURS are the excellent examples explaining how to use the stream of consciousness to lead to a (post)modernist ending.

The book is excellent as a collection of sharp and sensitive observations of gay relationships, new and old, all of which spoke directly to me with a loud voice. Leavitt's writing edges towards poetry and like its title, I couldn't put it down. However, as a piece of storytelling, too many questions are left unanswered and the characters beg to be developed. The ending was abrupt, to say the least. Leavitt has written better novels (my favourite being While England Sleeps) but The Page Turner is still an enlightening experience for fans of one of the most eloquent writers of modern fiction - gay or otherwise.

I'm biased: as a big DL fan, I can't ever get enough of his books. This one is not as sharp and racy as some of his writing, but it is every bit as deeply honest and introspective as you could expect from DL.

Flat one-dimensional characters. Unbelievable, unrealistic dialogue. "Big" words, pretentious, silly metaphors. Ending completely disappointing and unsatisfying. Many loose ends.

This funny and entertaining David Leavitt`s short novel may not be his best, still it makes for an absorbing, amusing and fast read. The story focuses Paul Porterfeld, an 18 year-old boy who wants to become a famous and noteworthy musician. In a musical event he attends, Paul gets to know Richard Kennington, a middle-aged and highly sucessful pianist. It doesn`t take too long for them to start a short yet poignant relationship, which will change their lives within the following months.

David Leavitt doesn`t break any new ground here, as he basically presents another perspective into the typical experienced artist/ young disciple connection. However, his depiction is convincing and intriguing enough, presenting well-crafted characters (Pamela, Paul`s eccentric mother, is particularly memorable and unique), some clever and intelligent humor and many interesting subjects (coming-of-age elements, a glimpse into the artistic world, detailed descriptions of NY and Rome, the search for love and fame, sexual choices).

Leavitt seems to know of what he`s talking about, providing a subtle, credible and worthwile story that only disappoints when it reaches the end (yes, the resolution was anti-climatic and not very surprising, presenting an abrupt and unconvincing finale).

A good read.

Despite some tantalising glimpses of Leavitt's descriptive prowess (the final paragraph is a ripper), I found this book a real disappointment. The relationships- between Paul and Richard; Richard and Joseph etc were unconvincing, the plot weak and meandering and the denoument (if one can call it that) whimpered, rather than roared. Even the familial relationship (which Leavitt usually explores with panache and compassion), between Paul and his mother, was forced and flat. As another reviewer stated, this book is very 'white bread' and after the wry, sly and poignant 'Arkansas',a great disappointment to me. I'm glad I borrowed it from the library and saved myself some money!

I wanted very badly to like this book. Set in the world of classical music with all the grandeur and pomp that implies, this story fell flat. A younger man falls for an older, famous man. Not a very original concept to begin with but it gets worse. The mother falls for the older man, the older man's agent/lover falls for the younger man, etc. It's just a mess. There are no truly likeable characters here and even the beautiful imagery of Rome, San Francisco and New York does little to spruce it up.

OK -- here's the real reason I wasn't thrilled with it. Not one good sex scene. Nothing titilating, nothing disgusting or revolting, nothing scary or dangerous. It was so white bread middle of the road it was boring.

Read all the disparaging comments above, but get Page Turner anyway. It's scenes admittedly don't combine into a perfect concert *BUT* what other author has DL's ability to delineate the dynamics of gays & their families?

Imagine mothers @ a PFLAG-type meeting discussing their sons' being bottoms! David Leavitt has the talents of a CAT Scanner and I love his images. As usual, lots of unexpected couplings, reversals and abundant olfactory information.

Page Turner also provides a peek into the world of the piano concert business and the cities of New York & Rome. The book was an interesting vacation companion.

I read everything DL writes, just as I buy every update to Quicken. Both are always worthwhile!

Ever since his first novel, "The Lost Language of Cranes," David Leavitt has shown to be impressive. His dialogue is crisp and his narrative passages flow with ease. Moreover, Mr. Leavitt portrays gay relationships better than any other novelist I know because he writes about relationships with compassion and understanding - the fact of ones sexuality is not the issue. And yet when he depicts the sensuality and sexuality between two men it is perhaps with the most engrossing use of language this reader has come across. It is with this great praise that I reluctantly have to say his latest novel, "The Page Turner" is disappointing. This coming-of-age novel about relationships, sexuality and career choices shows great promise; however, doesn't go anywhere. Paul Porterfield has aspirations of being a concert pianist. At a recital of his greatest admirer, Richard Kennington, he is his page turner. On a vacation with his mother, Paul meets Richard and a love affair begins. The remainder of the novel depicts their relationship as well as Richard's relationship with Paul's mother and Richard's relationship with his lover, Joseph. Paul goes through a series of growing up experiences learning that not only are relationships not what one expects but neither is the career one may choose as well. I enjoyed reading "The Page Turner" but I wish the characters had more substance and the story line a bit more detailed. However, as a slice of life novel, which I think is Mr. Leavitt's intent, the book is admirable.