Discover books similar to "The Go-Between"
L.P. Hartley
The Go-Between
3.96
"The Go-Between" by L.P. Hartley is a classic novel that explores the themes of class, innocence, and the passage of time. The story is told in the form of a memoir by Leo Colston, a man who looks back on his childhood summer of 1900 when he was 13 years old and served as a go-between for the wealthy and alluring Marian Maudsley and her farmer lover, Ted Burgess. Leo is an awkward and introverted boy who is invited to stay at the Maudsley's country estate, Brandham Hall, by his school friend, Marcus. There, he becomes infatuated with Marian and is drawn into their secret love affair. Leo's role as a go-between exposes him to the adult world of passion, deceit, and social class, and he is ultimately unable to understand or handle the consequences of his actions. The novel is a profound exploration of the gap between the classes and the devastating impact it can have on individuals. Leo's character serves as a symbol of the rigid class structure of the time, and his experiences highlight the unfairness and absurdity of a society divided by wealth and status. Hartley's writing is elegant and evocative, and he masterfully captures the innocence and naivety of Leo, as well as the complexities and contradictions of the adult world. The novel is also a reflection on the nature of time and memory, as Leo looks back on his past and tries to make sense of the events that shaped his life. "The Go-Between" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers long after they have turned the final page. It is a timeless exploration of the human condition, and a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and compassion in a world that is all too often divided...
List of books similar to "The Go-Between":
John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga
A sweeping family saga that spans several generations of the wealthy Forsyte family. The novel explores themes of class, love, and the passage of time, much like The Go-Between. Galsworthy's elegant prose and nuanced portrayal of his characters will resonate with Hartley's readers.
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Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day
A poignant and nostalgic novel about a butler, Stevens, reflecting on his life and the choices he made. The book explores themes of duty, class, and repressed love, much like The Go-Between. Ishiguro's lyrical prose and the introspective nature of the protagonist will resonate with Hartley's readers.
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Ian McEwan
Atonement
A powerful and haunting novel about a young girl, Briony, who irrevocably changes the course of her family's lives when she accuses her sister's lover of a crime. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, love, and the consequences of one's actions. McEwan's elegant writing style and exploration of the complexities of human nature will appeal to fans of Hartley.
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Evelyn Waugh
Brideshead Revisited
A classic novel about Charles Ryder's relationship with the Flyte family, aristocrats who inhabit the magnificent Brideshead Castle. The novel delves into themes of class, religion, and memory, much like The Go-Between. Waugh's masterful prose and exploration of the decline of the British aristocracy will captivate Hartley's readers.
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Donna Tartt
The Secret History
A suspenseful and atmospheric novel about a group of classics students at a small college who become embroiled in a murder. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, privilege, and the consequences of one's actions. Tartt's vivid writing style and exploration of the darker aspects of human nature will intrigue Hartley's readers.
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E.M. Forster
Howards End
A classic novel about the intertwining lives of the wealthy Wilcox family, the intellectual Schlegel sisters, and the working-class Basts. The novel explores themes of class, love, and the importance of human connection, much like The Go-Between. Forster's elegant prose and nuanced portrayal of his characters will resonate with Hartley's readers.
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Sarah Waters
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A gripping and atmospheric novel about a young woman, Frances, who takes in lodgers after her family's fortunes decline. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, love, and the consequences of one's actions. Waters' vivid writing style and exploration of the complexities of human relationships will intrigue Hartley's readers.
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Alan Hollinghurst
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A powerful and evocative novel about a young gay man, Nick, who becomes embroiled in the world of a wealthy and influential family in 1980s London. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, love, and the consequences of one's actions. Hollinghurst's lyrical prose and exploration of the complexities of human relationships will captivate Hartley's readers.
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Elizabeth Bowen
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A complex and atmospheric novel about two children who are sent to stay with a family in Paris, and the secrets that are revealed over the course of their visit. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, love, and the consequences of one's actions. Bowen's vivid writing style and exploration of the complexities of human relationships will intrigue Hartley's readers.
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Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible
A powerful and moving novel about a missionary family who move to the Belgian Congo in the 1950s, and the consequences of their actions. The novel shares The Go-Between's themes of class, love, and the consequences of one's actions. Kingsolver's vivid writing style and exploration of the complexities of human relationships will intrigue Hartley's readers.
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