This was an enjoyable read, but I wouldn’t say it was his best. It took quite a bit of getting into the story for me.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This novel is based around the making of a film but the true cinematic quality is in the lives of the main trio of characters. In fact it feels like a film within a film. All the main characters struggle to be something they are not, they use non de plumes or professional names but these are covers for struggled artistry and a place in a changing world in 1968 (sexually, politically, artistically and socially). The novel is witty and humane and the reader roots for these characters in spite of their errors and mis-guided judgements. They are so real they each deserve a novel of their own. Who knows!

A new novel by one of our best writers. It is many years since I last read a Boyd novel, but this one didn’t disappoint. Set in 1960s Brighton at a time of great social change, it examines three very diverse characters connected by a film being made. The film director, failed alcoholic novelist and ingenue film star are all dealt with sympathetically as they each try, with different levels of success,to work out how to rescue their lives. One ends in tragedy - not the one you might expect.

William Boyd is such a clever writer, that this novel won't disappoint, but I didn't rate it as highly as some of his others. Set in 1968, on the set of a movie, the story has an array of great characters, and enough plot intrigue to keep your reading. My favourite character was Talbot Kydd, the film’s producer. And his secret life really interested me, but I felt Boyd could have gone much further with that plotline. Still a very enjoyable and rewarding read.

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
As always, Boyds noels are extremely well written. The time described is not one I usually enjoy but the writing was os well done and the story so well crafted that I found myself unable to tear myself away for the story.
However, the story was stretched out at times and the formatting of the book was hard to read.
A great read.

Always thrilled to hear of a newly published Boyd novel - however I was not so keen on the era in question, the swinging 60’s nor the subject matter film making. Despite this the characterisation was good, interweaved through three storylines, a novelist an actress and a producer. The scene is set at a time of rioting students in Paris, liberal drug taking, divorces, alcoholism and a struggle to keep private lives private. As the novel progresses that struggle becomes more apparent. I can imagine this being adapted for film production

Thanks to Netgalley the author and Viking publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The story is set in Brighton in the 1960’s where we meet a writer, film producer and an actress who are all working on a film.

They all have their own secrets and as the pressure builds, which one will explode!! I loved how we got to know the characters and their individual demons.

An author I will definitely be looking out for.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed reading this book, mainly because I thought this writer must be taking us somewhere interesting. The era and the characters all felt like people I'd seen before but that, of course, wouldn't matter if the story said something new. So I bounced along for the ride and found it mostly entertaining but then was pretty let down when it all came to very little. If the world of this story is of interest to you, then definitely give it a go. Otherwise, I wouldn't strongly recommend it.

William Boyd is one of my favourite authors and although, in my opinion, this is not quite up to his usual standard it is still an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book to those who want a lighter read from a quality author.

During revolutionary summer of 1968, a film is being shot in Brighton. Three characters have lives entwined in the film - Talbot is the producer and is struggling to lead a double life; Elfrida was once a famous novelist who now appears to be drinking herself to death and Anny is the star of the film, but with very dubious taste in men. As the shoot continues, their private lives begin to become the big news. We become totally involved with the trio in this utterly delightful and very moving novel. Highly recommended.

Trio is based in Brighton in the summer of 1968, and focuses on three main characters who are all related in one way or another to the film production that is central to the story. Talbot is the producer of the film, but is he keeping a secret from everyone he knows? And is his business partner trying to rip him off? Anny is the beautiful, unpredictable star of the film, but is her past coming back to haunt her, in the form of old lovers? And how will her new lover deal with this? And Elfrida Wing is the alcoholic, reclusive author who is married to the director of the film, desperately searching for her next source of inspiration.

I found this book quite unusual, the characters are incredibly vivid and well written, and I found them each quite compelling in their own way, although if I had to order them in preference, I probably found Elfrida the most interesting, with Talbot in the middle, and I was a bit indifferent towards Anny. The concept of the story was good, but I’m afraid it just didn’t quite grab me, although in saying that, I was never tempted to not finish the book - I wanted to know what happened and found it a decent read, but I wouldn’t re-read it myself. The characters are great and the story was intriguing, and I thought it all came to a good resolution, but it just didn’t hit a particularly high note for me, I’m afraid! If you’re on the fence about reading it, I think it would be worth a read - you’ll probably figure out quite quickly if it’s for you or not.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trio focuses on the making of a film in Brighton at the end of the 1960's. William Boyd is such a skilled storyteller, and this is easy to read and enjoyable but not my favourite of his novels. The tone wasn't quite right for me (neither funny nor serious enough), the characters weren't quite real enough and i felt it ended a bit abruptly.

A very enjoyable and easy read set in the British film industry at the end of the 1960s, the story hangs around the making of a film “ladder to the Moon”. I found it a little slow to get started but I am glad I persevered because I find William Boyd is able to bring his characters to life for me making me see and feel life through their eyes. Life for his 3 central characters, Elfrida the novelist, Anny the American filmstar and Talbot the movie producer, is not straight forward either! I soon found myself being drawn in by the authors story telling abilities. As I learned more about each of the main characters own personal struggles with life I felt more empathy and sympathy for their often tragic and sometimes beautiful but very lonely paths. This book might have been one which could make the reader feel sad but not for me. Trio, made me reflect on the solitude of life, how we can react to it and also the ability that we all have within us to be, at times, capable of great change and acts of unseen heroics. In contrast life and circumstances can sometimes overwhelm the most unexpected people. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I ended up unable to put down until I finished it, wonderful escapism and well written by a master in their craft.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK, and the author William Boyd.
William Boyd is a master storyteller, and is undoubtedly one of my favourite authors.
Maybe it is because I loved 'Any Human Heart', 'Ordinary Thunderstorms', and "Restless' so much that I haven't found his recent novels as engaging. I enjoyed 'Trio', just as I enjoyed 'Sweet Caress' and 'Love is Blind', but I didn't love them as much as I loved the others.
There's no doubt that he tells an incredibly engaging story, and his characters are well developed and interesting, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one, as I do for his other books. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I have read a number of William Boyd’s books and enjoyed them but sadly this one wasn’t for me. I struggled through mostly because of his past skill but I admit defeat and this is one of those rare books I could not finish. The characters are unengaging and I didn’t warm to any of them. The story hangs around a film being made but I found myself not caring about the story or the characters. Sadly this book wasn’t for me.

It is 1968 and three lives converge around the filming of a 'swinging sixties' movie in Brighton. Talbot Kydd is the producer, fire-fighting crises on the film set whilst also exploring the limits of his own double life. Elfrida Wing is a novelist battling alcoholism, writer's block and a failed marriage. And Anny Viklund is a Swedish-American film star, failing to deal with the fallout from mistakes she has made in the past.

William Boyd weaves his a fictional narrative, and protagonists seamlessly, into a period setting full of real life, detail and characters. The sixties setting here is an absolute joy, brought to life in vivid yet realistic detail. The three characters are wonderful, particularly Elfrida, who I was rooting for throughout.

This is a really lovely clever, vivid read and most enjoyable.

I love William Boyd but I'm torn on this.

I preferred his last work, LOVE IS BLIND, because the multiple narratives in TRIO mean that we don't get enough of each story. This could have been longer - I would have preferred more depth from each of the characters.

That said, the stories that are there are beautiful and so well-written. I just wish there was more of them!

MacArthur Park memories
To see inside the film industry and to learn of the trials, decisions and subterfuge.
Talbot is the film producer in this novel, he is a confused man, worried about his sexual identity. He is conscientious in his work and tries to look after the actors and staff, whilst living a double life.
Elfrida the alcoholic novelist with writers block, gets herself into difficult and often amusing situations. She tries to write but needs to be increasingly fuelled by alcohol. Florida's husband Reggie is the director who is involved with another writer.
Anna the star of the film falls for her co-star, Troy. She Is being persuaded by her terrorist ex -husband and gets caught up with the FBI with tragic consequences.
This book is so elegantly written, involving with well described characters, none of them particularly sympathetic.

It is 1968. In Paris, students are rioting. The Vietnam war continues while in America, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King have been assassinated. This is the timeframe of ‘Trio’, the very readable latest novel from William Boyd. Set in Brighton where a film crew is shooting ‘Emily Bracegirdle’s Extremely Useful Ladder to the Moon’, the leading lady, Anny Viklund, is in bed with her co-star, pop singer Troy Blaze. The director’s wife, Elfrida Wing, is partaking of vodka from her secret stash in a Sarsons white vinegar bottle, rather than getting on with writing her next novel. The producer, Talbot Kydd, lays in his bath and tries to remember the dream he was having about a young man, pale and limber.
The story follows these three characters, each of which is living a life of pretence. Talbot has a wife in Chiswick and a secret apartment in Primrose Hill. Elfrida, once lauded as ‘the next Virginia Woolf’, writes lists of book titles but no more. Anny has an unfortunate taste in older men and when her ex-husband goes on the run, she finds herself questioned by the FBI. Day by day, Boyd weaves together the twists and turns of these three people, set against the filming of ‘Ladder’, the title of which incidentally no one understands. Sub-plots abound. When the film’s accountant warns Talbot that someone is stealing film stock, he employs an eccentric local detective. Meanwhile Elfrida, in search of the real Virginia, traces Woolf’s footsteps on the last day of her life. Anny, who cushions herself from the real world with a succession of uppers and downers, seems impossibly young. The film is the motif which unites the three but we see their individual character arcs develop in unexpected ways.
An entertaining quick read from a master of characterisation and humour who draws a recognisable picture of Brighton’s contradictions, style and sleaziness by the sea. Boyd has been a favourite of mine since ‘A Good Man in Africa’ in 1981 and ‘Trio’ reminds me of his early novels which showed the ability to combine a light comic touch with a darker, deeper emotional storyline.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

Trio transports you to Brighton in the late 60's where a film is being filmed. The story focuses on three main characters - Anny a young successful American actress, Elfrida Wing a successful novelist suffering from writers block and an alcoholic and Talbot Kydd, the producer who appears to have a "perfect life". All three come to a cross roads in their lives and the decisions they make will change their lives for ever.

Trio is funny, sad, touching and very readable.

I was given a copy of Trio by NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.