While England Sleeps

I read this novel in a day and a half because I found that I could not put it down. Brian, to me, seems like an average guy who is a bit shallow and only interested in fast sex. Edward, on the other hand, is more sensitive and committed to their relationship. Brian has a lot of fears because of his homosexuality. He thinks that it's just a phase that he'll pass, and that of course, he will marry and live happily ever after with wife and children. So he screws just about anyone he finds, in bathrooms, restaurants, while at home, Edward is waiting for him. Brian also sleeps with a woman, whom he plans to marry, once he gets over the lies he has told paractically everyone. But he keeps the charade and comes back really late at home, and sleeps on the couch saying that he doesn't want to disturb Edward. More stuff like this happens, but I will not go into it, cause it's really sad. Anyway, Edward leaves but later sends a note to Brain for help, and Brain goes to England to rescue him. You know from the other reviews what happens to Edward and to Brain. It's so depressing that I can hardly write about it. But even if Brain continued his life with Edward, I think that it still would not have worked out. Brain is teribbly unfaithful by nature, while Edward is not. Their relationship would have ended again, despite Brain's attempts to committ. He just can't do it. Maybe I expected too much, but I really doubt that Brain truly loved Edward. I know that he cared about him a whole lot, but the reason he wanted to rescue him was more beacause he felt responsible for driving him away. He didn't want someone he cared for to die or be unhappy beacause of him. The reason why he always remembers Edward is because he is there no more, and when something could have gone differently, we always wonder and wish that time could be reversed. But Brain says that even if time could be reversed, he is not sure that we would want it to be, therefore he couldn't have truly honestly "loved" Edward. The passion that they shared was kind of lost due to Brain's infidelity. Overall, this book was very insightful. It's a study of the mind, though it might not seem so. By analyzing Brain's thoughts and feelings we can connect and understand what we sometimes wish to ignore. We can learn from his mistakes, so that later on we won't have regrets. Overall, it's important to think about what you are doing before you do it, and consider what consequences your actions might produce.

Despite the (ridiculous) controversy, you will find this book is gripping, interesting, informative and captures a certain place in history. David Leavitt is an excellent author and I find his work particulary instructive for my own creative writing. Having spent time in Spain and England I enjoy his vivid, accurate descriptions of topography and culture.

David Leavitt is one of the most easily accessible authors writing about gay life these days. While England Sleeps is especially interesting because of its setting in England, Spain and Germany during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930's.The love story is touching and the characterizations are deft, although the characters do sound like refugees from Saki when they open their mouths (complete with interfering aunts).Another interesting aspect of this book is its history. Its hard cover publication led to a bitter law suit and the withdrawal of the book from publication in England as part of a settlement. The book was revised in paperback and Leavitt's thoughts on this experience are added as a preface. A reader would have a hard time forgetting this book once read.

I've been a great admirer of David Leavitt's writing since I first encountered "A Place I've Never Been" in one of my literature classes in college over five years ago. Since then, I've devoured pretty much everything he's written because they are _that_ good. With "While England Sleeps," in addition to his eloquent writing style (in English syntax, no less), he effectively incorporates historical notes, but only insofar as to paint the backdrop for the real subject of the story - the tumultuous love affair between two English boys - which he captures quite beautifully. I should warn, however, that I have had to limit myself to re-reading this book only once a year because it really is heart-wrenching; if you've ever been in love, or realized (and agonized about) it only after the fact, proceed with caution. You may find yourself inconsolable after the last page.

Leavitt handles issues of human sexuality in a time removed from our own in a very adroit manner. I could picture the style of dress and the streets of London as the story unfolded. I highly recommend this dearly bittersweet, romantic novel.