ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that such a negative view of Hollinghurst is only possible because Alderson misunderstands the function of nostalgia. It demonstrates that Hollinghursts novel argues that although homosexual law reform was good, in its context it was not an unalloyed success. Those who followed the homonormative argument forgot the old ideals of the heteronormative argument. Hollinghurst seems to give readers a prompt in this direction, and clearly undercuts readings of his novel that are based on literary theoretical concerns. Hollinghurst's novel layers twentieth-century homosexual history, with one level being Will telling of his open and rampant sexual adventuring, while at the same time spending the summer of 1983 reading Nantwich's private diaries. Kilmuir's view of homosexuality causing the moral declension of society places him, as Hollinghurst places Lord Beckwith, in Earl Winterton's camp. The author argues Hollinghurst throws out a challenge to readings such as Alderson's that accept Will's pattern of sexual activity as homonormal.
