Spanning seven eventful decades, 'The Sparsholt Affair' delves into the intricate tapestry of relationships within the Sparsholt family, starting from David Sparsholt's arrival at Oxford University in 1940. While he aspires to join the Royal Air Force, his magnetism draws in people like Evert Dax, who finds himself entranced and whose life becomes intertwined with David's. As time marches on, the novel sketches out the shifts in society, the evolution of tastes, moral conventions, and private lives. We follow the characters through memorable episodes that showcase the intricacies of love, art, and literature as they navigate the changing landscape of English society. From holidays in Cornwall to the bustling art scene of 1970s London, to the heart of contemporary issues, Alan Hollinghurst's novel captures the essence of familial legacies, the fleeting nature of life, and the deep human desire for continuity.