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When Dave looks at himself, hes not sure what to see.
Neither, at times, is his creator.
The story skips episodically through boarding school, stage roles, and various romances.
Like old age itself, it just takes a while to get there.
In the next chapter, Dave is 13, visiting the Hadlows at their country place.
Im not absolutely clear where youre from, a man says to him on this visit.
Often in combination: A strange embarrassment.
An unexpected sense of shame.
We learn little about Daves developing psyche beyond his constant vulnerability.
Would that young Dave had more of Nicks bitchy knack for critique.
Its when Dave comes to sexual consciousness that Hollinghurst really starts cooking.
Maybe theres another explanation for why young Dave doesnt quite come alive: Hes lonely.
You learn through your desiring.
Its genuinely moving to watch Dave grow older, as his childhood passivity transmutes into a grown-up confidence.
Matching the evening mood, the prose isnt as showy as in previous Hollinghurst works.
Its certainly less randy.
Little more to say?
I guess Hollinghurst feels that row, as it were, has been plowed.
Were all getting older.
The second half ofOur Eveningsmoves quickly.
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