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The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle

Shortlisted for the Polari Book Prize for LGBTQ+ Fiction
3.48 goodreads logo

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( 1,449 ratings, 351 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle by Neil Blackmore, the plot unfolds in 18th-century Europe, where two brothers embark on a Grand Tour. During their travels, the reserved Benjamin meets the charming and enigmatic Horace Lavelle, whose radical ideas and spirited nature challenge Benjamin's worldview. This encounter ignites a journey of self-discovery, passion, and the struggle between societal expectations and personal desires.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this historical fiction if you're drawn to vivid tales about self-discovery and audacious characters challenging societal norms. Set in an era where freedom is rare, the story delves into the complexities of identity and forbidden desires, all wrapped in lush prose and a captivating, atmospheric backdrop.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

1764 - Two brothers are sent off on a Grand Tour of Europe to meet People of Quality. Instead, they meet the man who will destroy everything.

'Seductive, decadent, cruel and utterly thrilling - just like Horace Lavelle himself. This is The Talented Mr Ripley for the twenty-first century.' - Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths

'An enjoyable dip into decadence.' - Observer

Brothers Benjamin and Edgar have so far led a quiet life, but change is afoot as they enter a world of glorious sights and People of Quality on their Grand Tour of Europe. But a trunk full of powdered silver wigs and matching suits isn't enough to embed them into high society.

As Edgar clings on to conventions, Benjamin pushes against them. And when the charming, seductive Horace Lavelle promises Benjamin a real adventure, it's only a matter of time before chaos and love ensue.

'A fizzing, seductive queer romance.' - i Paper

'Wildly entertaining and painfully heartbreaking ... Neil Blackmore writes with a fizzy wit that bounds his characters off the page.' - Ben Aldridge

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Neil Blackmore delivers a hugely entertaining exploration of 18th-century Europe with The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle. Critics praise it as a rollicking novel, rich with delightful prose and eccentric characters. Parallels drawn between past and present societal issues provide a backdrop for an insightful study of overlooked history. The book is compared to The Talented Mr Ripley, offering a thrilling, seductive experience that combines adventurous mischief with deep emotional resonance.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786090997

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Windmill Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 268g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Neil Blackmore is the author of five novels. His work has been acclaimed for its radical redrawing of the historical fiction form and the parameters of queer historical fiction. His third novel, The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle, was shortlisted for the Polari Prize for LGBTQ+ Fiction, and he has been celebrated as 'one of the most original voices in historical fiction today' (The Times). He lives in London.

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