Past Present Future

The Great Political Fictions: The Line of Beauty

Jul 11, 2024

The podcast explores Alan Hollinghurst's novel set during Thatcherism, focusing on themes of politics, privilege, and sexuality. It delves into societal changes, betrayal, and power dynamics, with a poignant moment between characters alluding to homosexuality. The episode also previews upcoming topics and highlights the role of women in peace and humanitarian efforts.

57:16

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Quick takeaways

The Line of Beauty portrays the intersection between gay and Tory life in Thatcher's era.

Thatcher's portrayal as a revered monarch-like figure symbolizes societal admiration and political dynamics.

The novel explores themes of beauty, power dynamics, and individual fate amidst societal upheaval.

Deep dives

Exploring Thatcherism in The Line of Beauty

The novel 'The Line of Beauty' delves into the apogee of Thatcherism, set between the 1983 and 1987 UK general elections. The story follows Nick Guest, residing with a Tory MP family, navigating London's elite society. With vivid descriptions of societal intricacies and personal struggles, the novel captures the era's opulence and underlying tensions.

Intro

2min

Exploring societal changes during the Thatcher government through literature

23min

Exploring Themes of Key Holders, Unspoken Presences, and Connection to the Protagonist

5min

Decadence and Downfall in 1986 London

21min

Exploring Betrayal, Beauty, and Power Dynamics

5min

Upcoming Topics and Women's Role in Peace and Humanitarian Efforts

2min

Our political fictions series returns with Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty (2004), which is set between Thatcher’s two dominant general election victories of 1983 and 1987. A novel about the intersection between gay life and Tory life, high politics and low conduct, beauty and betrayal, it explores the price of power and the risks of liberation. It also contains perhaps the greatest of all fictional portrayals of a real-life prime minster: Thatcher dancing the night away.

Sign up now to PPF+ to get all our bonus episodes along with ad-free listening: coming soon for PPF+ subscribers Robert Saunders on his favourite political novel plus a special episode on Evita: www.ppfideas.com

Next time: Curtis Sittenfeld re-imagines Laura Bush in American Wife

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Past Present Future

The Great Political Fictions: The Line of Beauty

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Exploring Thatcherism in The Line of Beauty

Margaret Thatcher's Presence at a Notting Hill Party

Personal and Political Unraveling in 1987

The Fragility of Connections and Self-Identity

Themes of Beauty, Power, and Fate

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts