THE PARTY by Elizabeth Day

This novel was released in mid2017 but flew under the radar in

Australia. In the UK, however, comparisons were made with Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line Of Beauty as both books explore similar themes of class, politics and sexuality. They both also feature a cameo from the British prime minister and a gay man as the main character, although it takes some time for The Party to make this evident.

Handsome, charming Ben Fitzmaurice lives in an aristocratic cocoon of wealth, privilege and family connections. His best friend from school, Martin Gilmour, came from nothing, yet has managed to elevate himself into a successful career as an art critic. His connections with the Fitzmaurice family has certainly helped. Despite their glaring differences, Ben never left Martin behind as he moved on from university and gradually the reader surmises that there is a reason for that; some dark secret binds them together.

Both Ben and Martin marry and it is at Ben’s lavish

40th birthday party (attended by supermodels, television personalities and the prime minister) that the tensions explode. An “incident” occurs, the police are called, and slowly the secrets are revealed as Martin and his wife are interviewed by detectives.

The Party has the pace and tension of a suspense novel but is also a captivating study of obsession, jealousy and unrequited gay love.