7. Most underrated book.

Okay, this is too difficult, so I’m changing this one to “most underrated author”, and shall therefore do two of Christopher Isherwood’s novels.

“Goodbye to Berlin” by Christopher Isherwood.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the edition I have, as mine, yet again, seems to be out of print. I first read this book because I was studying Nazi Germany for History, and because it looked pretty good. It’s an autobiographical set of stories and diaries about a gay man’s life in 1930s Berlin, and about his day-to-day acquaintances. Basically - it’s really good. REALLY good. It’s quite easy going and relaxed, but Isherwood still manages to make it compulsive reading because of the great wealth of cultural detail, and amusing anecdotes, and fascinating characters. Incidentally, the story featuring Sally Bowles was turned into the film musical “Cabaret” (though the film basically plucked the character out of the story and changed literally EVERYTHING else… but that’s besides the point). Just give it a chance.You won’t be disappointed.

Read the first few pages here.

“A Single Man” by Christopher Isherwood.

Ah, I love this book so much. There are no words to justify it. It’s basically the story of a “normal” day in the life of George, a homosexual man who’s partner was killed in a car crash a few months earlier. Isherwood’s writing style is incredible - it’s almost mesmerizing, the way he dips into George’s stream of consciousness to show his views on life - there’s a particularly amusing, but also very meaningful part where George rants about how he would like to injure homophobic senators. There’s an almost poetic feel to the book, and though the events are mild, the insight into the grief of “the partner left behind” is beautifully tragic. Plus, it changes the way you think of pencil sharpeners.

Read the first page here.