Product Description

Christopher Metcalfe returns to his childhood home following the death of his father. Here, he confronts memories of his time at public school and relives the intense, passionate affair he shared with fellow student Stephen Walker. This forces him to come to terms with himself at last.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67255 in Books
• Published on: 1996-07-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 346 pages

Review
'Beautifully written and very moving.' - MIDWEEK

About the Author
William Corlett was a successful children's novelist. He wrote widely for television and theatre for both adults and children. Twice he won the Writers' Guild Children's TV Writer of the Year Award. His first novel for adults, NOW & THEN won the Dillons First Fiction Award in 1995.

Customer Reviews

Seduced and deserted
As told by Christopher Metcalfe in alternating chapters "now", in his forties, and "then", as a fifth former at public school, we learn what has made Christopher what he is, and eventually what he could become. "Now" he is a seemingly comfortable bachelor, but following the death of his father, and the subsequent discovering a box of photographs and reports from his school days he is awakened to a past that has made him what he is. "Then" a good looking fifth former himself, he is seduced by a handsome prefect two years his senior, Stephen Walker. There follows a brief, intense but spasmodic affair, which is so beautifully related that it is hard to find any fault with the relationship, despite the guilt that they feel, and they declare their love for one another. But the affair ends tragically when Stephen moves on to Cambridge and Christopher, or Kit as Stephen affectionately calls him, is left to endure his reaming years at school alone. "Now" Christopher realises what this affair and a subsequent promise to himself has cost him, and he sets out to find Stephen and discover what has become of the only person he has ever loved.
The story is beautifully told, and the various characters are a delight, including Christopher's horrendous sister and her family, his adoring and surprisingly open minded mother, and his man chasing friend Catherine, with whom he enjoys a close platonic relationship.
This is a witty, warm and very moving story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Don't let being straight spoil your enjoyment of this novel!
I imagine that most of Corlett's readers -- like his characters -- are gay.

I'm not -- in fact, I didn't buy this book, I found it on a train. Nor have I ever felt any inclination to read a 'gay' novel in the past. But having put aside my predudices (yes, sorry, they are still in there somewhere despite my ostensible belief that they are unjust and unfounded) I was instantly drawn to his writing and found his characters, and the situation they found themselves in, absolutely compelling.

To gay guys, this must be a godsend. To straight guys, read it how you would any other love story: you'll find it better than most. This is an outstanding book and one that I very nearly lost the pleasure of reading through my narrow-mindedness. I'd hate for you to miss out on it because of your own, because you will have deprived yourself of a wonderful piece of literature.

everlasting impression on you
I have never reviewed any book but I have to do about this book, Now and Then. I am a straight woman but it really does not matter. When I started, I did not imagine I was going to be hooked. After seceral hours, I could not leave the characters any minute, especially Chris. His life is so sad, his love so desperate, so that I was deeply relieved when the conclusion give us a light and hope on Chris's future. I finished the book two days ago, and still I can't stop thinking about Chris and Stephen. I just wonder what is the cause of this sense of everlasting impression on my psyche.