phantomtomato

Oh hello there! I really enjoyed your longer analysis of the books, and your insights into why this book worked as it did - that really resonated with me and, like you, I aspire to it too! I think the ambiguity about David's sexuality is key as well, and for me it leads into a different reading of the book, as I feel Benson actually wanted to write about the experience of negotiating friendship/sexual contact in an unequal relationship. The way he set it up, Franks knows that on this occasion he's not going to be able to have both - he can either sexually exploit David who worships him, or nurture their friendship. I find it fascinating that he set the book up this way and chose to tell a slightly different story! Certainly not the obvious choice.....but he does sort of make salvation quite sexy!