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Alec

A Novel

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About this listen

"Sackville imbues this character-driven historical drama with warmth, comfort, and a sense of optimism, especially during the story's darkest moments." —AudioFile Magazine

William di Canzio’s Alec, inspired by Maurice, E. M. Forster’s secret novel of a happy same-sex love affair, tells the story of Alec Scudder, the gamekeeper Maurice Hall falls in love with in Forster’s classic, published only after the author's death.

Di Canzio follows their story past the end of Maurice to the front lines of battle in World War I and beyond. Forster, who tried to write an epilogue about the future of his characters, was stymied by the radical change that the Great War brought to their world. With the hindsight of a century, di Canzio imagines a future for them and a past for Alec—a young villager possessed of remarkable passion and self-knowledge.

Alec continues Forster’s project of telling stories that are part of “a great unrecorded history.” Di Canzio’s debut novel is a love story of epic proportions, at once classic and boldly new.

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

©2021 William di Canzio (P)2021 Macmillan Audio Literature & Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
E M Forster wanted Maurice to have a happy ending. William di Canzio has provided this in his own story.

This is a beautiful book wonderfully narrated. My own happy ending after 40 years with my partner would not have been possible without the struggles of many people for many years to achieve gay rights which are simply human rights. This moving and insightful story is a tribute to those whose struggles were much harder than my own. I am sure Forster would have approved enthusiastically.

A triumph of sympathy and imagination

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Sympathetic characters, faithful to Forster's Maurice, great homage. Engaging and believable narration brings it alive.

Sensitive continuation of EM Forster's novel

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Fine piece of work moving the significant story of Maurice forward. Excellent narrator and clear discriptions and scenarios. Believable characters.

Worth it

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It may sound like hyperbole, but I genuinely found this novel to be beautiful, romantic, profoundly sad and thrillingly hopeful. The gay experience has all but been erased from great literature. In those dark days we were sinners, monsters or something to laugh at. Like Maurice before it, Alec seeks to right these wrongs. And it does so with aplomb.

A perfect sequel to an enchanting masterpiece…

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“Alec” by William Di Canzio gracefully weaves a narrative that is not only a heartfelt homage to E.M. Forster's iconic novel, "Maurice," but also an exquisite exploration of the eponymous character, Alec Scudder. Di Canzio masterfully breathes life into Alec, presenting him as a multi-faceted individual whose journey transcends the original framework where he was confined. The book meticulously expands upon the rich, emotive tapestry of early 20th-century England, enveloping readers in a world where love, societal expectations, and personal discovery are in constant interplay. Alec’s development and experiences are presented with such empathy and depth that they elevate him from a mere character in a sequel to a profound statement on the intrinsic humanity that binds us all, despite the era or societal norms. Di Canzio's narrative is a tender, moving tribute that both honors and expands upon Forster’s legacy, providing readers with a fresh, introspective look into hidden facets of a beloved character.

An exquisite exploration of the eponymous character.

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A charming book that I enjoyed despite barely knowing the original Maurice. I would recommend.

Charming

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I think EM Forster would have been delighted by this. It’s very sensitively done with strong characters developing in a rapidly changing world. Highly recommended.

Touching and truthful story excellently told

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William di Canzio, stand with Pride alongside E.M.Forster. A masterpiece my hearts delight but also a mental challenge .
A timely reminder that we must always strive to live better lives honouring those who trod this way before us.
Superbly narrated by John Sackville.

With Pride

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I truly was moved to tears, as I was by Maurice. An emotional journey with characterisation which draws total investment.

A true masterpiece mirroring a true classic

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I enjoyed it as long as it followed Forster's line of a story, but it changed when di Canzio's imagination of what supposedly happened after took a lead. To me personally it was lacking in true imagination. It's not that things didn't happen anymore, quite the opposite. Too much had happened and I found myself strangly detached from it most of the time. With baroness and lots of war and nude queers and brothel and so on and so forth... I had found myself hardly believing any of it. Less is more! I most likely will stick with the ending of Forster's Maurice. It was fine enough for me!

Didn't do for me

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