What emerges is a remarkable psychological portrait of an era. There’s the obsequious Nick, who can’t deal with power around him, his benumbed lovers, smarmy politicians, and coke dealers. In his previous novels Hollinghurst all but ignored women; here, they come into their own. Rachel possesses a "velvety graciousness lined with steel," Catherine represents the conscience of the decade, and Margaret Thatcher hovers on the sidelines, threatening to make a highly anticipated cameo any moment (New York Times Book Review).

The "pointillist attention to detail makes every character fascinating" (Miami Herald). The characters’ richness—or, rich vacuity—complements Hollinghurst’s exquisite prose and lavish set details; in one scene, Nick comments on art from his drug dealer’s car. But critics couched a few minor complaints amid their effusive praise. Hollinghurst’s homosexuals are all oversensitive, lonely, doomed, and engage in graphic sex. Some critics found the lengthy discourses on culture tedious. Finally, Nick’s four-year lodging at the Freddens, with his secret affairs, often belies reality. Small criticisms, really—this book is deserving of the Booker.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

“A magnificent comedy of manners. Hollinghurst's alertness to the tiniest social and tonal shifts never slackens...[an] outstanding novel.” ―New York Times Book Review

“If you value style, wit and social satire in your reading, don't miss this elegant and passionate novel.” ―Washington Post

“His most tender and powerful novel to date. A.” ―Entertainment Weekly

“Each sentence in this book rings as perfect and true as a Schubert sonata.” ―Hartford Courant

“The Line of Beauty is itself a thing of beauty-an elegant and seductive novel.” ―Philadelphia City Paper

“It really is his finest novel to date.” ―Geoff Dyer

“A rueful, snapshot-accurate portrait of this era.” ―Seattle Times

“[A] masterpiece with a skillfully rendered social panorama, a Proustian alertness to social nuance and a stylistic precision that recalls [James].” ―Newsday

“The most exquisitely written book I've read in years. Witty observations about politics, society, and family open like little revelations on every page.” ―Christian Science Monitor

“Almost perfectly written novel...This novel has the air of a classic.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“In the tradition of Henry James, Hollinghurst has artfully crafted a piquant satire of privilege and sexuality in all its forms.” ―Genre Magazine

“The best English novel of the year so far is Alan Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty.” ―Zadie Smith, Guardian (UK)

“Like reading gossip in beautifully made sentences with extraordinary insights into motive and nuance, allowing all the time for comedy.” ―Colm Toibin, Guardian (UK)