The Marble Boy

By Andrew Daws

“A sensual book of infatuation and longing, it is also a wonderful journey of melancholia and wistfulness. The book allows us to travel, and it sometimes takes our breath away...”
David Matthews

"Here's a book for every gay man wondering where his life is heading. Its fragile, melancholic mood resonated beautifully with my own middle-age-crisis state of mind. Part travelogue and part psychoanalysis, The Marble Boy skilfully weaves the protagonist's assessment of his mindset with penetrating examination of his past relationships and lyrical exploration of the often less visited Mediterranean landscape he travels through. Introspective and perceptive, but generally not self-indulgent, beautifully written and compelling; I found it uplifting"
CJ

“With this novel, the author takes the reader on an odyssey of artistic, sexual and spiritual discovery undertaken by the central character, Edmund Payne, a closeted gay art-master, teaching at a grim, repressive comprehensive school. Following an accusation of an inappropriate relationship with a talented and sensitive art student, Dollimore, Edmund is forced unfairly to resign his post and is released to pursue a long-held dream of travelling through the Mediterranean area to visit ancient Classical sites. An ensuing kaleidoscope of artistic and sexual experiences, encompass this journey. His sexual encounters, some shockingly brutal, but one lyrically life enhancing, are interspersed with visits to draw temple remains or museum-held Kouroi. Coming to terms with his artistic and sexual ambitions and the loss of pervious lovers, the traveler finally reaches a moving resolution at his ultimate island, Amorgos, in the Cyclades. Throughout, the text is interspersed with letters and emails informing his concerned friends of his experiences, which anchor his journey. Anyone who loves Greece will find this assured and finely written novel a nostalgic evocation of that land’s scenery and culture, and it must now deservedly join the different genres of travel as well as romantic literature.”
John Chitty

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Daws
• Release date: Mar 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311149473

Andrew Daws

Andrew Daws was born in Bury St Edmunds, England, in 1962. After studying architecture in London and Glasgow, he is a practicing architect and master planner working in New Delhi, India. His buildings designed for, and within several successful firms of architects, have won prestigious awards. Andrew is also an artist and occasionally exhibits in London and the UK.His first novel, recently revised and re-titled 'Architects', follows the fortunes of two young architects in search of love and success, often with hilarious results. 'The Marble Boy', his next novel, combines travel and fiction, and describes the psychological journey of a young art master, fleeing from controversy and the loss of a loved one. Will travel resolve his difficulties, and will he ever find love again? The novel has been described as ‘lyrical, tender, and sexually exhilarating.’Andrew also writes short stories. His first collection, ‘August Blue, tells disorienting tales of the sea and sea voyages. 'Between the Leaves' is a darker collection for the adult gay reader, spinning brutal and often erotic fantasies from small, real-life events.He has also recently completed a draft of a new novel set in Israel, and is at work on a new work set in India, where he currently lives.Andrew has traveled extensively, and is attracted in particular to the Mediterranean region, which is the subject of ‘The Marble Boy', the Middle East, India and the Far East.www.andrewdaws.co.uk

Book preview

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