thin ice

Thin Ice by Compton Mackenzie (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1957)

I’ve had this book on my shelf for many years, acquiring it for its purported “homosexual” content.  It’s an interesting but frustrating read — a self-serving and supposedly neutral depiction of a homosexual man’s life as observed by his straight best friend, who is in many ways his worst enemy. 

Our unlikable narrator, George Gaymer (!) (nicknamed and usually referred to as “Geegee”) meets Henry Fortescue at Oxford at the turn of the (20th) century, and is charmed by the handsome and intelligent boy.  Henry is a woman hater and a boy lover, predilections that interfere with is political ambitions.  For many years, while he actively pursues a political career, he renounces his sexual life, but when he’s looked over for a cabinet post and feels that his political life is essentially finished, he reverts to his risky pursuit of boys.  This is discouraged by both his friend Geegee and his sanctimonious sister-in-law.  They perfectly illustrate England’s attitude to homosexuality in the 20th century — as long as it is done discreetly and correctly, it is tolerated.  But any behavior that occurs outside of these very narrow margins is condemned, mocked, and punished.  Any overtly queer behavior is ridiculed and abhorred.  Geegee, who seems to be a closeted old maid, was briefly married, but after his young wife conveniently dies in a car crash, he leads a celibate life that is never questioned or explored.  Very British in that way.  A vividly described trip to the Seychelles is the high point of this dreary, judgemental, unpleasant book.