head over to *eLLa iNsPiReD* to read a review of the Sam O’Reilly’s ‘The Best Possible Taste’.

Ever since I read about Colin Firth starring in Tom Ford‘s motion picture A Single Man, I‘ve been waiting for the day to head down to the cinema – in vain. From the look of things, that particular movie is only shown in one single cinema some 75 km away from here. And as much as I‘d love to see it – would an hour‘s drive really be worth it?

I have no resigned to buying the DVD as soon as it‘s released and to cure my craving now read Christoper Isherwood‘s novel instead.

About a year ago, I read one thing or another by Chuck Palahniuk and was grossed out. Reading the first twenty pages of A Single Man describing the main characters morning routine, I felt oddly reminded of Palahniuk‘s style.

Isherwood manages to create a special bond between George and his readers: It‘s personal and intimate and at the same time, by way of George‘s wandering thoughts, there‘s always a barrier remaining.

If you‘re expecting Isherwood to tell a fast-paced story, this one is not for you: In fact, A Single Man treats one single day in the character‘s life. However, if you are looking to read something that gives you a false sense of predictability, only to be surprised by the sudden end, then this sure is the right book. It‘s not until the exact last page that we learn which special day it is in George‘s life.

George seemingly only has a select few close relationships to people but does have a whole lot of loose acquaintances at work or in the neighbourhood. Remarkably is that he seems to be fairly close to some of his students.

The reader learns particularly much about Jim, George‘s deceased life-partner, his best friend Charlotte, a middle-aged English lady who is harbouring a fairly big crush on him and Kenny, one of his students that seeks out George‘s proximity.

Especially the bond towards the latter is a huge part of this novel. The constant innuendo of both verbal and non-verbal communication makes it obvious that, if George and Kenny let it be, their student-teacher-relationship could be extended to something much more personal.

Considering the time of writing and publishing, I think it is remarkable how Isherwood openly approaches the matter of homosexuality and George‘s sexual desires; his narration never falls prey to a vulgar done nor does it get too graphic.

This is such a truly touching novel as George is definitely one of the most tragic character‘s I‘ve encountered in literature. He and Charlotte both subtly hint at missing their home England, and the page long descriptions of George handling neighbours, traffic and school make it even more obvious that the American west coast does not feel like home to him at all (much less without Jim).

Rather than fitting in as much plot as possible, A Single Man is rich of descriptions, making it so easy to almost identify with the character.

Now tell me: Have you read the book? If so, what did you think? If not, would you consider reading it? Have you seen the movie? Please tell me it is worth watching!