I had never heard of The Intoxicating Mr. Lavelle or of its author until I came across the book on Goodreads. I checked it out on a whim and I am so glad I did. It is a dark–even sometimes harrowing– queer romance set in 18th century Europe, featuring many locations of the Grand Tour of the time: Florence, Naples, Rome, and Paris. The book has been described as “The Talented Mr. Ripley meets the 18th century” and though I have not read that book (I am vaguely familiar with the movie), I can see how the description fits.
When the novel opens,the reader is introduced to two brothers in their early twenties–Edgar and Benjamin Bowen– who have been raised in an extremely cloistered environment in London by their parents (who own a shipping company). The brothers have been taught by tutors and are familiar with all the important Renaissance and Enlightenment thinkers. However, they have very little understanding of the real world and–crucially– have very little knowledge of their own family background, particularly when it comes to their mother. This becomes very important to the plot later but I can’t reveal more without giving away major spoilers. Their mother has now decided that it is time for them to embark on the “Grand Tour” of the Continent that was traditional for English gentlemen during that era. This is intended to make them more cultured and also to allow them to meet English people of “Quality” who will then prove important social connections in the future. This opening seems to promise a comedic romp through Europe and a satire of the Englishman abroad. However, this is a very different kind of novel.
The novel is narrated in the first person by Benjamin, who is recalling events some years later–after some tragic events have taken place. These tragic events are precipitated by the brother’s encounter with the title character–Horace Lavelle– who inspires Benjamin to think for himself and not to blindly follow his parents’ plans for him. Edgar, on the other hand, is committed to befriending the “Quality” and in many ways is a bit of a social climber. Thus the novel’s conflict revolves around Benjamin being torn between his brother and Mr. Lavelle. Mr. Lavelle himself is quite a damaged person, in ways that become clear as the novel progresses. Benjamin is also aware of his own homosexual feelings and he and Mr. Lavelle eventually get involved in a sexual relationship.
At this point, I have to provide the prospective reader with some trigger warnings. The novel features themes of antisemitism (period typical), homophobia and child sex abuse. Those who find reading about such topics disturbing or distasteful should probably skip this book. However, I would argue that this content only reflects the realities of the period. Most Englishmen during the 18th century were antisemitic and homosexual behavior was a capital offense during the era. A realist novel set in that period has to grapple with those themes and unfortunately there is going to be no happily ever after for our queer lovers. As late as the 20th century, E.M. Forster believed that a happy ending for the lovers in Maurice would lead to his book being labeled obscene. He insisted on this happy ending however, which is why the novel was only published posthumously.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Intoxicating Mr. Lavelle to fans of gothic romance, particularly those who love the famous cities of Italy and France as much as I do. I am now looking forward to reading Blackmore’s latest work The Dangerous Kingdom of Love, another novel featuring queer themes and set in the era of King James the First.
Thoughts Of A Bibliophile 