The first time i read Stephen Spender's The Temple was before I had had any kind of gay experience and although I found the book a good read I didn't fully understand it.
The freedom he found in pre war Germany compared to Britain where homosexual acts were banned was extraordinary (I realised when i reread the book). Then he returned to Germany during Hitler's rise to power and found everything changed and frightening.
There was a limited number of gay books because writing them ostracised one from society and could land you in prison.
Alfred Lord Tennyson was gay (at least bi) and wrote In Memoriam at the death of Hallam. Tennyson is Known to have stayed with Lord Conway at Allington Castle and is thought to have written The Brook there. I have found the brook it may be based upon just across the river.
I have even swum in the River Medway there in my Speedos.
Do Speedos and a life jacket look good together?
|