A Single Man

Author Website | Book Depository | Amazon |
Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads

I’ve been meaning to read A Single Man for quite some time now. I watched the film quite a while ago without realizing that it was based on a novel. I didn’t really remember much from the film before I decided to listen to the audiobook, but I did remember that the film was visually beautiful. I remember the cinematography being aesthetically pleasing and gorgeous, so if anything, I was hoping to get the same sense of beauty out of the audiobook.

I must say that A Single Man was very well written. It was descriptive, but not in a way that was overdone and boring. Everything was described beautifully by George, our main character. Christopher Isherwood definitely has a way with words as was evident throughout the novel.

A Single Man is about a college professor named George who has recently lost the love of his life, Jim. The novel explores how George is dealing with the situation and how it is effecting his life and his relationships with others. I really enjoyed reading/listening to the different interactions with his neighbours, colleagues and students.

However, other than the interactions with people and George’s inner monologue, I found the story to be a little bland. Nothing too exciting or dramatic happened. I know there is a lot more to the story than that and I know it was more of an exploration of a man and the aftermath of a tragic event, but I really would have liked for it to be slightly more eventful.

A Single Man is a relatively quick read and while I did find it a little bland, I do understand the importance of it.