Intimacy was
published in 1998 by Hanif Kureishi. The novel deals with a middle-aged man and
his thoughts about leaving his wife and two young sons.
Plot summary
Set in the
contemporary London, the story tells why the protagonist wants to leave his family.
The timespan of the novel is roughly 24 hours. The novel was loosely adapted to
a movie Intimacy (2001 film) in 2001.
He has lived
with his partner for 6 years and has known her for 10, he is unhappy in his
relationship and has had several affairs. The trigger for him deciding to leave
his wife is more or less that his young lover one day says to him. "If you
want me, I'm here". After that he gradually admits to himself that he's
not happy with his wife.
There is no
actual development of the main character, and in the end he leaves the family.
Style
The writing
style is similar to Imre Kertész's Kaddis a meg nem született gyermekért
(Kaddish for a Child Not Born)--inner dialogue mixed with flashbacks,
explaining and contemplating the thoughts of the protagonist.
Major themes
Old family
constructs in a modern society.
Sexual
desires versus intellectual desires.
Drug use
isn't always followed by drug abuse.
©en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intimacy_(book)
Academic
year 2008/2009
© a.r.e.a./Dr.Vicente Forés López
© Giuseppe Improta
imgiu@alumni.uv.es
Universitat de Valčncia
Press