Plot Summary

The Affair

C. P. Snow
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The Affair

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1960

Book Brief

C. P. Snow

The Affair

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1960
Book Details
Pages

328

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Cambridge, England • 1950s

Publication Year

1960

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Affair by C. P. Snow, Lewis Eliot, a distinguished lawyer and government official, returns to Cambridge University in 1953 to investigate the wrongful termination of physicist Donald Howard, who is accused of falsifying scientific data. As Eliot navigates the conservative college's internal politics and reexamines the evidence, he must decide between emotional detachment and personal involvement to pursue justice.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Suspenseful

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.0

298 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of C. P. Snow's The Affair note the author's adept depiction of academic politics, with a compelling exploration of ethical dilemmas. Positive feedback highlights the realistic, nuanced characters and engaging prose. However, some reviews criticize its slow pacing and dense narrative. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking read despite occasional sluggishness.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Affair?

Fans of academic mysteries and character-driven narratives such as Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers or The Secret History by Donna Tartt will enjoy The Affair by C. P. Snow. Ideal for readers who appreciate intellectual drama and moral complexity within the backdrop of university life.

4.0

298 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

328

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Cambridge, England • 1950s

Publication Year

1960

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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