This story follows the life of David Winn, an English boy living with his single mother, a gifted dressmaker. Dave has never met his Burmese father or been to Burma, but the fact that he is half Burmese informs his life in various ways that are illustrated in Holinghurst’s beautifully nuanced story telling style.
The main focus of this novel is Dave’s biracial appearance, and the effect this has on his life in English society through the years. The author follows Dave starting in his school years in the 1960s until the COVID pandemic. Hollinghurst expertly demonstrates, through conversation and events, the backdrop that Dave must navigate to chase his dream of being a serious actor.
The author has also created a realistic cast of characters who influence and interact with David in this memorable, fictional biography. I felt very invested in this story, and missed some of the characters when it was over. This is not an action packed novel, but one more about emotions, beliefs, and daily commitments. David Winn will forever stand out to me as one of literature’s most intriguing protagonists. In other words, I highly recommend this.
Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for this delightful experience.
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It took me too long to write this review because there's so much to say, but saying too much is not appealing or productive when it comes to boosting a novel, and I do mean to boost this novel!
