The Go-Between by LP Hartley. Summary of the book.

by

The Go-Between by LP Hartley

Summary of the Book

The Go-Between is a 1953 novel by the British author LP Hartley. The novel tells the story of a young boy, Leo Colston, who is sent to stay with a wealthy family at their country estate in the summer of 1900. While there, Leo is drawn into a complex web of secrets and lies, as he unwittingly becomes the go-between for two of the estate’s occupants, Marian Maudsley and Ted Burgess. As the story unfolds, Leo is faced with the difficult decision of whether to remain loyal to his friends or to reveal the truth about their relationship.

The novel explores themes of innocence, loyalty, class, and betrayal. It is widely regarded as a classic of English literature, and it has been adapted into films, television series, and a stage play. Hartley’s writing style is characterized by its precise language and vivid descriptions. He also makes use of symbolism and foreshadowing to create a sense of tension and suspense.

Main Characters

The main characters in The Go-Between are Leo Colston, Marian Maudsley, Ted Burgess, Marcus Maudsley, and Viscount Trimingham.

Leo Colston is the novel’s protagonist. He is a naive and sensitive 13-year-old boy who is sent to stay with the Maudsleys in the summer of 1900. He quickly falls under the spell of the estate and its inhabitants, and he finds himself drawn into a world of secrets and lies.

Marian Maudsley is a beautiful young woman who is engaged to be married to Viscount Trimingham. She is deeply unhappy in her engagement and is drawn to Ted Burgess, the estate’s tenant farmer.

Ted Burgess is a handsome young farmer who is in love with Marian Maudsley. He is the novel’s tragic character, and his story is the heart of the novel.

Marcus Maudsley is Marian’s brother and the heir to the estate. He is a cruel and manipulative man who is determined to have his sister marry the Viscount.

Viscount Trimingham is a wealthy aristocrat who is Marian’s fiancé. He is a kind and honorable man, but he is unaware of Marian’s feelings for Ted Burgess.

Plot

The novel begins with Leo Colston being sent to stay with the Maudsleys at their country estate in the summer of 1900. He quickly falls under the spell of the estate, and he begins to spend time with Marian Maudsley and Ted Burgess. He soon discovers that the two are in love and that they are using him as a go-between to exchange messages.

Leo is torn between his loyalty to his friends and his fear of the consequences of revealing their secret. He decides to keep their secret, but his loyalty is tested when he is forced to lie to protect them. His decision to remain loyal ultimately leads to tragedy.

The novel ends with Leo reflecting on the events of the summer and coming to terms with the consequences of his actions.

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

  • LP Hartley was inspired to write the novel after a visit to a country estate. The estate he visited belonged to Hartley’s friend, the poet Harold Monro. Hartley was so taken with the estate that he used it as a model for the setting of The Go-Between.
  • The novel was a critical and commercial success. Upon its release, The Go-Between was widely praised, and it quickly became a best-seller. It was nominated for the 1955 James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
  • The novel has been adapted multiple times. The novel has been adapted into a 1971 film, a 1981 television series, and a 2016 stage play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who wrote The Go-Between?
A: The Go-Between was written by the British author LP Hartley.

Q: When was The Go-Between published?
A: The Go-Between was first published in 1953.

Q: What is The Go-Between about?
A: The Go-Between is a novel about a young boy, Leo Colston, who becomes the unwitting go-between for two of the estate’s occupants, Marian Maudsley and Ted Burgess. As the story unfolds, Leo is faced with the difficult decision of whether to remain loyal to his friends or to reveal the truth about their relationship.

Q: What themes does The Go-Between explore?
A: The Go-Between explores themes of innocence, loyalty, class, and betrayal.

Q: Has The Go-Between been adapted for other media?
A: The Go-Between has been adapted into a 1971 film, a 1981 television series, and a 2016 stage play.

Related books:

  1. The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley. Summary of the book.
  2. The Shrimp and the Anemone by LP Hartley. Summary of the book.
  3. The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley. Summary of the book.
  4. The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington. Summary of the book.
  5. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (2009). Summary of the book.
  6. A Lost Lady by Willa Cather. Summary of the book.
  7. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (2015). Summary of the book.
  8. What Men Live By, and Other Tales by graf Leo Tolstoy. Summary of the book.
  9. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (2001). Summary of the book.
  10. Death in Summer by William Trevor. Summary of the book.
  11. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (2002). Summary of the book.
  12. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Summary of the book.
  13. Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess. Summary of the book.
  14. Old Granny Fox by Thornton W. Burgess. Summary of the book.
  15. The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne. Summary of the book.
  16. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (1962). Summary of the book.
  17. The End of the World News by Anthony Burgess. Summary of the book.
  18. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (2005). Summary of the book.
  19. Hello Summer, Goodbye by Michael G Coney. Summary of the book.
  20. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (2010). Summary of the book.
  21. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (2009). Summary of the book.
  22. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (2012). Summary of the book.
  23. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015). Summary of the book.
  24. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (2011). Summary of the book.
  25. The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (2016). Summary of the book.
  26. The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen Gould Harmon White. Summary of the book.
  27. Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Why Fifty Is Not the New Thirty by Tracey Jackson. Summary of the book.
  28. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (2000). Summary of the book.
  29. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. Summary of the book.
  30. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Summary of the book.
  31. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1868). Summary of the book.
  32. A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh. Summary of the book.
  33. We Were Liars by E. Lockhard (2014). Summary of the book.
  34. Woman in White, The by Wilkie Collins (1859). Summary of the book.
  35. Uncle Vanya: Scenes from Country Life in Four Acts by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. Summary of the book.
  36. The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential by Leo Babauta. Summary of the book.
  37. At-Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O’Brien. Summary of the book.
  38. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938). Summary of the book.
  39. A Kind of Loving by Stan Barstow. Summary of the book.
  40. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911). Summary of the book.
  41. Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan. Summary of the book.
  42. Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (1891). Summary of the book.
  43. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878). Summary of the book.
  44. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Summary of the book.
  45. Master and Man by graf Leo Tolstoy. Summary of the book.
  46. The Girls by Emma Cline (2016). Summary of the book.
  47. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell (2009). Summary of the book.
  48. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (2010). Summary of the book.
  49. The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories by graf Leo Tolstoy. Summary of the book.
  50. The Sportswriter by Richard Ford. Summary of the book.

Leave a Comment