493. The Go-Between

The Go-Between
L.P. Hartley
1953
Around 330 pages

The List keeps demonstrating that the books I love are all modifications of previous novels that have covered the same ground. In this case, the novel in question is Atonement, which follows a young girl who witnessed a love affair and doesn't understand what she is seeing. Actually, as a writer, I find this comforting. You don't need a completely original idea to have a good story, as the way it's presented will always be unique to your voice.

Leo Colston is a thirteen-year-old boy, being used as a Go-Between for lovers Marian and Ted. Marian is the sister of one of Leo's school chums, and is engaged to a viscount, while Ted is a poor tenant farmer. While Leo is initially naive about the nature of their relationship, he wises up enough to understand the gravity of class lines and depths of romantic love.

Ian McEwan called Atonement "an act of homage in some ways" to The Go-Between. It's easy to see why McEwan was captivated by this method of storytelling, as the child's point of view allows for intense dramatic irony. This perspective obviously has the potential to be frustrating, but I think Hartley managed to avoid being unnecessarily wide-eyed and innocent in his portrayal of a young boy. For the most part. As always, I abstain from spoilers, but I found the ending to be incredibly satisfying and poignant. 

Are British school children the meanest people on the planet?

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Adapted into a film in 1971 starring Julia Christie.

UP NEXT: A Ghost at Noon by Alberto Moravia