The Folding Star

Edward Manners, an English teacher, relocates to a small Flemish town seeking a fresh start. He takes on two students - the unremarkable Marcel and the captivating Luc - while becoming involved with the local art scene through Marcel's father, who curates a museum dedicated to the symbolist painter Edgard Orst. The narrative alternates between Manners' present experiences in Belgium and his past in England, including a formative relationship that ended in tragedy. His growing fixation with his student Luc parallels the obsessive themes found in the work of Orst, whose paintings and history become increasingly central to the story. Multiple characters navigate intense desires and romantic obsessions against the backdrop of a brooding Belgian cityscape. The book incorporates elements of art history, gothic atmosphere, and meditations on beauty through its exploration of the characters' various pursuits. The novel examines how beauty and desire shape human behavior, while questioning whether true connection is possible for those who pursue aesthetic perfection above all else.

Readers point to Hollinghurst's rich, poetic prose and detailed descriptions of desire and obsession. Many note the parallels to Death in Venice and the atmospheric portrayal of the Belgian city setting. Multiple reviews highlight the book's exploration of art history and the complexity of the main character Edward. Readers appreciated: - The nuanced portrayal of infatuation - Historical art references and museum scenes - Vivid sense of place and mood Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Too much detail/description for some - Secondary plot lines feel unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (50+ ratings) "Beautiful writing but needed editing," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader writes: "The prose is stunning but the story meanders." Several reviewers mention struggling to finish despite admiring the writing style.

Death in Venice by Thomas Mann A renowned writer becomes obsessed with a beautiful youth while visiting Venice, mirroring the themes of artistic obsession and forbidden desire in a European setting.

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James The story follows an American woman in Europe navigating complex relationships and desires within the context of art and culture.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde The connection between art, beauty, and moral decay unfolds through the story of a man whose portrait ages while he remains eternally young.

The Swimming-Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst A young aristocrat discovers hidden histories while exploring desire and identity in London's gay subculture.

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman A summer romance between a teenage boy and an older scholar develops against the backdrop of the Italian arts scene.

🎨 The novel's Belgian setting was inspired by Hollinghurst's time teaching English in Kortrijk, Belgium, during the 1980s. 📚 "The Folding Star" won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1994 and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in the same year. 🖼️ The fictional symbolist painter in the novel draws parallels with real-life Belgian artist Fernand Khnopff, known for his mysterious and symbolic works during the late 19th century. 🏛️ The medieval architecture and canals described in the book closely mirror the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bruges, though the specific town is never named in the novel. 📖 Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice," which the novel references, was itself inspired by the author's real-life fascination with a young Polish boy he encountered while visiting Venice in 1911.