The Boy in the Rain

De: Stephanie Cowell

Narrado por: Philip Battley

It is 1903 in the English countryside when Robbie, a shy young art student, meets the twenty-nine-year-old Anton who is running from memories of his brutal childhood and failed marriage. Within months, they begin a love affair that will never let them go. Robbie grows into an accomplished portraitist in the vivid London art world with the help of Anton's enchanting former wife, while Anton turns from his inherited wealth and connections to improve the conditions of the poor. But it is the Edwardian Era, and the law sentences homosexual men to prison with hard labor, following the tragic experience of Oscar Wilde. As Robbie and Anton's commitment to each other grows, the world about them turns to a more dangerous place.

©2023 Stephanie Cowell (P)2023 Tantor

Rollercoaster of emotions

I hope there will be a sequel because while I enjoyed this story and the characters, the ending was very sad and I refuse to believe that is the end of Robbie and Anton’s story.

The Terrible Injustice of the Obscenity Laws

Like or dislike is beside the point. The cost of men loving men in the early 20th Century was tremendous, not only to those who responded to their natural urges and either went to prison for it, or kept themselves hidden, but also to society at large, deprived of the contributions these remarkably gifted homosexual men could have rendered to the wider world around them. What a monumental waste of human resources. And yet, except for the cruel prison terms thankfully gone away, are we even now any more willing to accept what gay persons in our world have to offer in every aspect of achievement? This book reminded me of the walls yet to be torn down for the betterment of us all.

Narration was fantastic

Good story with likable characters who you want to succeed. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending which seemed abrupt as there is way more story to tell. The narrator is great and really made the story of Anton and Robbie come alive.

An entrancing, unforgettable journey into the past

Literature is at its best when it creates a kind of cocoon around the reader, and you lose touch with the here and now. That is how it was for me reading The Boy in the Rain. This novel was a multi-decade project by the author, and there is that unmistakeable feeling of layers here as though it is has been lifted from the memories of the characters as it is retold. Cowell's prose is both concise and lyrical – some periods in the lives of the two main characters, Robbie and Anton, are delved into deeply. Others are relayed with only the pertinent details, very much like when people are recounting, or simply recalling, their lives.  This allows Cowell to cover a considerable period of time, drawing forward, shading, highlighting with the skill of an artist who knows where to place the emphasis, and where to hold back.

The story is told primarily from the standpoint of Robbie, a gifted young artist who moves to a small country town in Nottinghamshire to escape an unhappy home. Here he meets the handsome, slightly mysterious and elusive Anton, who, as they grow closer and eventually begin a relationship, opens him to his sexuality. At this period in Edwardian England, this is of course as beautiful a discovery as it is painful, and their complex relationship is tried as much from the outside as from the inner conflicts between them.

The story, perhaps I should say their relationship, which is the story, feels very much like a living thing, inhaling and exhaling – Anton breaks from Robbie in an attempt to repair a traditional life with his wife, and Robbie finds he must leave Anton to pursue an identity as an artist and as a man, apart from ‘just being Anton’s boy’ so to speak. These periods of growth happen for both of them for different reasons over the course of the novel, and a theme emerges around this idea of personal growth being sometimes at odds with a relationship which is, for the most part, the best thing that they have. But oh! those fiery, passionate times after a separation when they reconnect – wow! You absolutely have the sense these two cannot stay apart from each other, and your heart is just aching for them to find a means of remaining together.

I've focused a lot on the relationship between Anton and Robbie, simply because I responded so much to it, but this is also a richly vivid novel of this time in England just after Oscar Wilde’s trial and imprisonment. This terrible episode is certainly important in shaping the lives of these characters, and yet there is nothing dreary or maudlin here, only a deeply sympathetic humanizing of the subject. One has a real sense of how life was for homosexual men in this period, and there are a number of fascinating subplots, which draw upon the attitudes in society and the laws regarding queer men at the time, one in particular which is incredibly moving and poignant.

I should mention this is also a review of the audio version of the novel, and Philip Battley did a top-notch job with this story and characters. He’s the perfect combination of intense and restrained, which is absolutely in keeping with Cowell’s vision I think. I’m sure there is a temptation for a narrator to go over the top, to go for actor’s gold in the most dramatic scenes!, but that never happens. Philip was truly an asset to this novel, he’s a tremendous talent.

I cannot recommend The Boy in the Rain highly enough. I’m grateful that Ms Cowell at last released this beautiful story into the world after so many years bringing it into being. I’m personally, well, dying for a sequel, but until that day comes I will pay it the best compliment I can by rereading/relistening to this again, and again.

The Boy in the Rain really is that good

Constant conflict and personal growth

A really spectacular historic novel and MM romance woven together. A bit of a cliffhanger ending makes you wonder if the author was simply making a point. A gay romance in early 1900s England was all about navigating the inherent dangers of a world that had outlawed you. A couples conflicts would never end. Wonderful main and supporting character who all grew throughout the novel. I was sorry when it ended and those characters were taken away from me.

Spectacular!

Enthralling story, gripping and beautiful. The characters are amazing. I did not want it to end.

Not my favorite

although the story was enjoyable the main character of Robbie is just so unlikable and I don't think the narration of him helps. After all the back and forth for these two men to be together the ending is so abrupt and ridiculous that I think it really just sucks.

One of the best I’ve listened to

Every aspect of this book is compelling, The story is unique and shines a light on an ugly time in British history. The lead characters are heart rendering and the supporting characters fill out the narrative admirably. The narrator is one of the best I’ve heard, truly excellent. The story never depends on the usual and predictable tropes. I hope a sequel has been or will be written.

Historically plausible tale of love and intolerance beautifully written and narrated.

It is easy to forget the intolerances of the past century and the sad ruin of many lives as a result. Glad to be less vulnerable in the current age of greater protection from the law and acceptance within society.

Run, Anton, Run!

**spoiler alert** The Boy in the Rain starts off like a typical historical romance. The story feels like something you’ve probably read before: two young men fall in love, it’s all very intense and secretive and they’re swept up in their feelings quickly. I was hoping for something more original or emotionally deep but it didn’t quite deliver.

Now, I can’t punish a book for not meeting my expectations when my expectations might have been wrong from the start. I honestly felt this book was going for something along the lines of ‘Maurice’ but... oh boy. It started for me as a 3 star read but… oof; there were some poor decisions made.

The relationship between Robbie and Anton starts to feel off as the story goes on. When they have their first big argument, Anton brings up some good points; reasonable, clear concerns about their situation; but Robbie refuses to listen. He acts more like an obsessed teenager than someone truly in love. They’ve only known each other for four months and Robbie has never been in a relationship before, so his intense attachment to Anton feels unhealthy. Honestly, it made me feel like Anton was lucky to get out when he did!

Later in the book, there’s a moment when Robbie’s religious tutor finds out about his secret. At first, the tutor reacts in a way you might expect for someone deeply religious in that time period: he’s upset and harsh. But then, when Robbie asks if he agrees with how Oscar Wilde was punished, the tutor says, “Of course not-!” even after just scolding him. It feels like the author didn’t want any ‘good’ character to come across as too harsh or bigoted.

Then, out of nowhere, the book takes a very dark and disturbing turn. There’s a sudden scene involving drugged drinks, rape, and child prostitution that comes with no real warning and feels completely disconnected from the rest of the story. It’s deeply unsettling, and not in a meaningful or necessary way. I still don’t understand why it was included in the way that it was.

It has some good part, too. The second half of the story was better than the first, despite Robbie’s persistent obsessive behavior. It’s easier to criticize than to praise. 2,5stars is my final judgement.

In the end, The Boy in the Rain tries to be a tender, tragic love story but it stumbles with uneven tone, rather one-tone characters and strange plot choices. For readers looking for thoughtful, well-developed historical romance in the style of Maurice by E.M. Forster, this one might leave you frustrated and confused.