Hangover Square: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|1941 novel}} |
{{short description|1941 novel by Patrick Hamilton}} |
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{{About|the novel|the 1945 film adaptation|Hangover Square (film)}} |
{{About|the novel|the 1945 film adaptation|Hangover Square (film)}} |
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{{distinguish|Hanover Square (disambiguation){{!}}Hanover Square}} |
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'''''Hangover Square''''' is a 1941 [[novel]] by English [[playwright]] and [[novelist]] [[Patrick Hamilton (dramatist)|Patrick Hamilton]]. It follows the alcoholic George Harvey Bone (who has a |
'''''Hangover Square''''' is a 1941 [[novel]] by English [[playwright]] and [[novelist]] [[Patrick Hamilton (dramatist)|Patrick Hamilton]]. It follows the alcoholic George Harvey Bone (who has a dissociative identity disorder) and his tortured love for Netta Longdon in the months leading up to the Second World War. Subtitled ''A tale of Darkest [[Earl's Court]]'', it is set in that area of [[London]] in 1939. |
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A [[black comedy]], it is often cited as Hamilton's finest novel, exemplifying the author's concerns over social inequalities, the rise of [[fascism]] and the impending onset of [[World War II]]. |
A [[black comedy]], it is often cited as Hamilton's finest novel, exemplifying the author's concerns over social inequalities, the rise of [[fascism]] and the impending onset of [[World War II]]. |
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==Synopsis== |
==Synopsis== |
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Set against the backdrop of the days preceding Britain declaring war on Germany, the main character is George Harvey Bone, a lonely borderline [[alcoholic]] who has a form of [[dissociative identity disorder]], referred to in the text as a "dead mood". An alternative diagnosis is temporal lobe epilepsy. |
Set against the backdrop of the days preceding Britain declaring war on Germany, the main character is George Harvey Bone, a lonely borderline [[alcoholic]] who has a form of [[dissociative identity disorder]], referred to in the text as a "dead mood". An alternative diagnosis is temporal lobe epilepsy. |
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He is obsessed with gaining the affections of Netta, a failed actress and one of George's circle of acquaintances with whom he drinks. Netta is repelled by George but, being greedy and [[Psychological manipulation|manipulative]], she and a |
He is obsessed with gaining the affections of Netta, a failed actress and one of George's circle of acquaintances with whom he drinks. Netta is repelled by George but, being greedy and [[Psychological manipulation|manipulative]], she and a common acquaintance, Peter, shamelessly exploit George's advances to extract money and drink from him. |
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During his disordered episodes, he is convinced he must kill Netta for the way she treats him. Upon recovering from these interludes, he cannot remember them. However outside these he embarks on several adventures, trying in vain to win Netta's affections, including a would-be romantic trip to [[Brighton]] which goes horribly wrong: Netta brings Peter along, and also a previously unknown man with whom she has sex in the hotel room next to George's. |
During his disordered episodes, he is convinced he must kill Netta for the way she treats him. Upon recovering from these interludes, he cannot remember them. However outside these he embarks on several adventures, trying in vain to win Netta's affections, including a would-be romantic trip to [[Brighton]] which goes horribly wrong: Netta brings Peter along, and also a previously unknown man with whom she has sex in the hotel room next to George's. |
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This potentially promising turn of events in George's life is dashed, however, when he suddenly clicks into a dead mood and resumes his murder plans. He executes his murder of Netta (and also of Peter, whom the narrative describes as a "fascist" moments before he is murdered) before escaping to [[Maidenhead]]. Throughout the novel, Maidenhead represents for George a semi-mythical new beginning, representing a picture of traditional [[Englishness]] in contrast to the seaminess of Earl's Court, and the place where he once spent an idyllic holiday with his sister Ellen, now long dead, who was one of the few people who had ever loved and understood him. However, in the closing pages of the novel the fallacy of that dream becomes apparent to George: it is just the same as everywhere else. Now penniless, he gasses himself in a dingy Maidenhead [[boarding house]] by turning on the gas fire but not lighting it. Domestic coal gas at that time had a high concentration of carbon monoxide which causes death in a few minutes. |
This potentially promising turn of events in George's life is dashed, however, when he suddenly clicks into a dead mood and resumes his murder plans. He executes his murder of Netta (and also of Peter, whom the narrative describes as a "fascist" moments before he is murdered) before escaping to [[Maidenhead]]. Throughout the novel, Maidenhead represents for George a semi-mythical new beginning, representing a picture of traditional [[Englishness]] in contrast to the seaminess of Earl's Court, and the place where he once spent an idyllic holiday with his sister Ellen, now long dead, who was one of the few people who had ever loved and understood him. However, in the closing pages of the novel the fallacy of that dream becomes apparent to George: it is just the same as everywhere else. Now penniless, he gasses himself in a dingy Maidenhead [[boarding house]] by turning on the gas fire but not lighting it. Domestic coal gas at that time had a high concentration of carbon monoxide which causes death in a few minutes. |
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==Title== |
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The title of the book is a wordplay on the name [[Hanover Square, London|Hanover Square]], an area of London that was once home to many late-night drinking establishments. |
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==Reception and adaptations== |
==Reception and adaptations== |
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''Hangover Square'' was immediately lauded on its publication. [[James Agee]], writing in the ''[[Daily Express]]'', called it "a magnificent thriller".<ref>French, Sean (1993) ''Patrick Hamilton: A Life'', Faber {{ISBN|0571143539}}, p. 168</ref> Hamilton's friend [[Michael Sadleir]] considered it his best novel. [[John Betjeman]] in ''[[The Spectator]]'' referred to it as being in "the top class of English novels".<ref>French, p. 255</ref> |
''Hangover Square'' was immediately lauded on its publication. [[James Agee]], writing in the ''[[Daily Express]]'', called it "a magnificent thriller".<ref>French, Sean (1993) ''Patrick Hamilton: A Life'', Faber {{ISBN|0571143539}}, p. 168</ref> Hamilton's friend [[Michael Sadleir]] considered it his best novel. [[John Betjeman]] in ''[[The Spectator]]'' referred to it as being in "the top class of English novels".<ref>French, p. 255</ref> |
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Such was the novel's success that it was rapidly [[Hangover Square (film)|adapted for a film]] which was released in 1945. Starring [[Laird Cregar]], [[Linda Darnell]] |
Such was the novel's success that it was rapidly [[Hangover Square (film)|adapted for a film]] which was released in 1945. Starring [[Laird Cregar]], [[Linda Darnell]] and [[George Sanders]], significant changes to the novel were made, most notably the plot's re-location to the [[Edwardian era]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{IMDb title| |
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q3126769|title=Hangover Square (1945)}} |
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* {{IMDb title| |
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q123680989|title=Hangover Square (2009)}} |
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* [http://www.londonfictions.com/patrick-hamilton-hangover-square.html Novelist John Lucas on 'Hangover Square'] |
* [http://www.londonfictions.com/patrick-hamilton-hangover-square.html Novelist John Lucas on 'Hangover Square'] |
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Latest revision as of 17:25, 10 December 2024
 Cover to the 1941 first US edition | |
| Author | Patrick Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Black comedy |
| Publisher | Constable (UK) Random House (US) |
Publication date | 1941 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Hangover Square is a 1941 novel by English playwright and novelist Patrick Hamilton. It follows the alcoholic George Harvey Bone (who has a dissociative identity disorder) and his tortured love for Netta Longdon in the months leading up to the Second World War. Subtitled A tale of Darkest Earl's Court, it is set in that area of London in 1939.
A black comedy, it is often cited as Hamilton's finest novel, exemplifying the author's concerns over social inequalities, the rise of fascism and the impending onset of World War II.
Synopsis
[edit]Set against the backdrop of the days preceding Britain declaring war on Germany, the main character is George Harvey Bone, a lonely borderline alcoholic who has a form of dissociative identity disorder, referred to in the text as a "dead mood". An alternative diagnosis is temporal lobe epilepsy. He is obsessed with gaining the affections of Netta, a failed actress and one of George's circle of acquaintances with whom he drinks. Netta is repelled by George but, being greedy and manipulative, she and a common acquaintance, Peter, shamelessly exploit George's advances to extract money and drink from him.
During his disordered episodes, he is convinced he must kill Netta for the way she treats him. Upon recovering from these interludes, he cannot remember them. However outside these he embarks on several adventures, trying in vain to win Netta's affections, including a would-be romantic trip to Brighton which goes horribly wrong: Netta brings Peter along, and also a previously unknown man with whom she has sex in the hotel room next to George's.
Apart from being a source of money and alcohol, George has another attraction for Netta: his friendship with Johnnie, who works for a theatrical agent. Netta hopes that through him she will get to meet Eddie Carstairs, a powerful figure in the theatre. However, in a final reversal of fortune it is George, not Netta, who ends up attending a party amongst the theatrical great and good whilst Netta is cast aside by Eddie who — unlike George — has immediately seen her for the unpleasant person she is. George suddenly realises what it is like to be surrounded by people who are interested in him as a person rather than for what he can provide.
This potentially promising turn of events in George's life is dashed, however, when he suddenly clicks into a dead mood and resumes his murder plans. He executes his murder of Netta (and also of Peter, whom the narrative describes as a "fascist" moments before he is murdered) before escaping to Maidenhead. Throughout the novel, Maidenhead represents for George a semi-mythical new beginning, representing a picture of traditional Englishness in contrast to the seaminess of Earl's Court, and the place where he once spent an idyllic holiday with his sister Ellen, now long dead, who was one of the few people who had ever loved and understood him. However, in the closing pages of the novel the fallacy of that dream becomes apparent to George: it is just the same as everywhere else. Now penniless, he gasses himself in a dingy Maidenhead boarding house by turning on the gas fire but not lighting it. Domestic coal gas at that time had a high concentration of carbon monoxide which causes death in a few minutes.
Reception and adaptations
[edit]Hangover Square was immediately lauded on its publication. James Agee, writing in the Daily Express, called it "a magnificent thriller".[1] Hamilton's friend Michael Sadleir considered it his best novel. John Betjeman in The Spectator referred to it as being in "the top class of English novels".[2]
Such was the novel's success that it was rapidly adapted for a film which was released in 1945. Starring Laird Cregar, Linda Darnell and George Sanders, significant changes to the novel were made, most notably the plot's re-location to the Edwardian era.
References
[edit]- ^ French, Sean (1993) Patrick Hamilton: A Life, Faber ISBN 0571143539, p. 168
- ^ French, p. 255
