That Deplorable Boy by Jasper Barry
Is Max Fabien the loyal secretary and faithful lover of the marquis de Miremont? Or a handsome trickster who regards lying as an accomplishment and any sexual quarry as fair game?
Miremont’s heart tells him one thing, his jealousy another. But his obsessive passion for Max must remain a dark secret. And, when his estranged wife brings their eighteen- year-old daughter to Paris to make her debut, the strain begins to tell.
The once-calm atmosphere of the Hôtel de Miremont swirls with gossip, mistrust and danger and Miremont is faced with an impossible choice.
Meanwhile the secrets of Max’ past continue to haunt him. Has the time has come for him to claim his not-so-rightful destiny?
That Deplorable Boy is the second part the Miremont series, charting the course of a gay love affair between an aristocrat and a former servant in Belle Époque France. Rich in period detail and set in the grand châteaux of Paris and Burgundy, the novels explore the suffocating social codes of the time and the conflicts and perils they bring for those who must live outside them.
Trouble in paradise! This second instalment in the M/M Miramont Trilogy picks up where we left off at the end of the first book, The Second Footman with Max Fabien now working as Armand de Miremont's secretary during the day, his lover at night.
Armand and Max have established a routine so they can indulge in their physical relationship together without anyone knowing. However, their contentment is short lived as the arrangement is put into jeopardy because Armand's estranged wife and youngest daughter announce their impending arrival in Paris.
With accusations, deceit, jealousy and unrequited declarations of love, the drama is ever present. Armand's torn between pleasing his youngest daughter and her mother's whims, when he's distraught he can't spend time with the dear boy who he now doubts is unfaithful in their relationship. Meanwhile, Max is questioning his existence as his past continues to haunt him.
Now more familiar with Mr Barry's evocative writing style, I found it easier to settle into the narrative this time around. As some months have passed since I read The Second Footman, I was a little apprehensive about well I would pick up the plot without having to do a re-read (which I didn't have time for). Thankfully, my worries were for nothing as I dived straight in and quickly regained my memory as I became reacquainted with the protagonists.
Warning, the rich text is a guilty indulgence but, you need to set aside some time to wade through this wordy novel. With so much thought-provoking detail, it took time for me to keep astride of everything that's happening. So, this captivating piece set in the late nineteenth century is best savoured slowly to appreciate the decadence, but worth it.
With an inconclusive but satisfying ending and a curiosity for the protagonists I'm so invested in, I wonder what the future holds for Armand and Max and how long we'll have to wait to find out?
***Review copy received courtesy of the publisher Matador***
Armand and Max have established a routine so they can indulge in their physical relationship together without anyone knowing. However, their contentment is short lived as the arrangement is put into jeopardy because Armand's estranged wife and youngest daughter announce their impending arrival in Paris.
With accusations, deceit, jealousy and unrequited declarations of love, the drama is ever present. Armand's torn between pleasing his youngest daughter and her mother's whims, when he's distraught he can't spend time with the dear boy who he now doubts is unfaithful in their relationship. Meanwhile, Max is questioning his existence as his past continues to haunt him.
Now more familiar with Mr Barry's evocative writing style, I found it easier to settle into the narrative this time around. As some months have passed since I read The Second Footman, I was a little apprehensive about well I would pick up the plot without having to do a re-read (which I didn't have time for). Thankfully, my worries were for nothing as I dived straight in and quickly regained my memory as I became reacquainted with the protagonists.
Warning, the rich text is a guilty indulgence but, you need to set aside some time to wade through this wordy novel. With so much thought-provoking detail, it took time for me to keep astride of everything that's happening. So, this captivating piece set in the late nineteenth century is best savoured slowly to appreciate the decadence, but worth it.
With an inconclusive but satisfying ending and a curiosity for the protagonists I'm so invested in, I wonder what the future holds for Armand and Max and how long we'll have to wait to find out?
***Review copy received courtesy of the publisher Matador***
Jasper Barry graduated from Cambridge with a degree in English and has worked in advertising, then in journalism. Jasper lives in London with too many books and three obstreperous cats.
