Book: The Folding Star

In "The Folding Star" by Alan Hollinghurst, an evocative narrative unfolds in the atmospheric streets of a Belgian city where the past and present intricately intertwine. The story follows Edward Manners, a disenchanted English tutor, who escapes to walled Ghent, searching for purpose and passion. As Edward becomes captivated by his enigmatic pupil, the beautiful and unattainable Luc Altidore, his infatuation spirals into obsession, blurring moral boundaries and igniting a labyrinth of desire. Meanwhile, Edward's encounters with a cast of richly drawn characters, including the enigmatic artist Marcel Echevin, reveal hidden layers of the city's history and secrets. Hollinghurst's exquisite prose deftly explores themes of longing, identity, and love’s complexities, immersing readers in a lush and haunting landscape. Edward's journey is a poignant exploration of the aching solitude of unrequited love and the haunting shapes of memory, forming an intricate tapestry where every character’s desires and regrets echo across the pages. "The Folding Star" is a masterful meditation on the power and peril of human connection, set against a backdrop of seductive beauty.