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Born in Stroud in Gloucestershire in 1954, educated at Oxford, Hollinghurst taught English at Magdalen College from 1977 to 1978, and then at other colleges until 1981. In 1982 he took a teaching job at the University of London. He also served on the staff of the Times Literary Supplement from 1982 to 1995. His literary endeavours have been amply rewarded: he was adjudged one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists in 1993; his novel, The Folding Star, won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was also shortlisted for the 1994 Booker Prize; he also won the Newdigate Prize for poetry. The Line of Beauty is the first gay novel in 36 years to win the Booker prize. Unlike many contemporary writers who produce a novel almost every year, Hollinghurst is apparently in no hurry to publish. He calls it "loiterature," his habit of lounging around, listening to music, playing with his ideas, churning them over in his mind until they reach a point of maturity. Perhaps for this reason his list of admirers includes the poet laureate Andrew Motion as well as Colm Toibin, whose novel, The Master, also made a bid for this year’s Booker. The influence of Henry James on Hollinghurst is evident in his minute details of society and in his elegant and informed prose. The difference lies in his focus on gay life, gay clubs and in his portrayal of uninhibited sex. Hollinghurst is a confirmed gay. Perhaps for this reason critics approach his works with trepidation. In the present times, however, homosexuality has come out of the closet and is somewhat accepted, although reluctantly. The problem with gay writing is that the reader/critic tends to passes value judgments on the writer’s sexual orientation even before judging the work on its own terms. Hollinghurst’s case becomes more complex because chairing the Booker panel of judges this year was Chris Smith, former Labour culture secretary and the first openly gay minister who, however, insisted that the book was chosen on its merits as "a classic of our times" and it being a gay novel did not figure in their discussions. It is interesting to point out here that in 1994, Hollinghurst’s The Falling Star was not awarded the Booker because of its focus on gay sex. However, 10 years down the line, critical judgment seems to be more easy-going, allowing a gay novel to bag Britain’s most prestigious literary prize. The times sure are a-changing. |
"I
was a gay, middle-class only child from the provinces, fairly innocent
of real life, with a precocious knowledge of music, literature and
architecture." This is how London-based writer, Alan Hollinghurst,
describes himself. The recipient of this year’s Man Booker Prize has
authored three novels prior to The Line of Beauty, his
prize-winning book: The Swimming-Pool Library (1988), The
Folding Star (1994), and The Spell (1998). While he was not
exactly unknown earlier, there is no denying that the award has
catapulted him to overnight fame and suddenly everyone seems terribly
interested in him and his personal (read sexual) preferences.