King, Francis

(British, 1923– )

King is a prolific writer, and his books vary widely in both subject matter and tone. Loosely speaking, however, his early novels can be categorized as studies of isolation and loss. Set in different countries and often told from multiple points of view, they tend to deal with outsiders: those seeking acceptance from an alien community, and those fighting to escape from their own. These themes acquire resonance in A Domestic Animal (1970), an openly gay novel and an eloquent, moving account of a one-sided love-affair. Move on to Act of Darkness (1983), a psychological thriller about the murder of a child in 1930s’ India. Also try some of King's excellent short stories.

Christopher Isherwood, E. M. Forster, Colm Tóibín  SR