Hugo Hunter is a complex being. He is a writer who fled his home country, and found himself along the ranks of acclaimed writers.
Set in the literary and gay scenes of New York and London, in Objects of Desire, Gore Vidal makes a cameo, the impact of AIDS becomes more pronounced, many literary names and books get their admiration or criticism, and life goes on.
Until the revelations, I found the plot and characterisation fascinating.
In my experience, even if Hugo Hunter had not done what he had done, I would have still enjoyed this book.
As for the writing, especially until Hugo travels, I thought I was reading a memoir! I had to go and double check the blurb to make sure this was not a memoir, I am not joking. It was so vivid, so sassy, so authentic that I would believe HH was a real person (knowing some but perhaps not enough information about Vidal added to that effect, but it is mainly down to Blackmore’s exquisite writing).
I have more to say on this novel, and will add them to my reviews on other platforms.
The bottom line is; this was a compelling and complex, witty and smart, subtle and meta novel with amazing commentary and locations.

Some in-jokes:
Have you loved him, Hugo Hunter?
They are inviting you to Iceland, Hugo.
This is your last chance, Hugo.

Neil Blackmore’s *Objects of Desire* is a sharp, darkly funny, and utterly compelling novel that dives into the mid-20th-century gay literary scene with biting wit and unflinching honesty. The book pulls back the curtain on the ambitions, betrayals, and egos of writers seeking both artistic greatness and personal validation. Blackmore’s prose is razor-sharp, making every scene crackle with tension and sardonic humor, while also exploring the deeper complexities of desire, power, and identity. What I loved most about this novel was how it balanced its acerbic tone with genuine emotional depth.

Hugo Hunter is a literary legend, a celebrated gay novelist who once moved among the greats—Truman Capote, James Baldwin, and Gore Vidal.

His masterpieces secured him a place in history, and for decades he basked in fame, excess and the company of New York’s cultural elite. But as the 1980s dawn and AIDS casts its long shadow, Hugo is out of money and out of time.

Then comes an offer too good to refuse: two million dollars for a memoir and a brand-new book.

There’s just one problem. Hugo Hunter is a fraud.

His two acclaimed novels? Stolen.

Now, faced with his greatest deception yet, he must find a way to produce a third. As he navigates the treacherous world of publishing, clinging to his legacy with a mix of desperation and audacity, the question looms—how far will he go to maintain the lie?

A wickedly sharp novel exploring:

📜The price of success – Fame, fraud and self-destruction in the literary world

📜A dazzling yet dangerous scene – The 20th-century cultural elite at its peak

📜Dark humour and gripping drama – A tale of ambition, betrayal and reinvention

Brilliantly vicious and utterly compelling, this is a razor-sharp satire on art, ego and the cost of genius. With a story that spans decades and a cast of unforgettable characters, it’s a must-read for fans of dark, intelligent fiction.