Book Club: The Summer Boy
Philippe Besson's novel remembers a summer that marked the end of innocence.
Published in 2026, The Summer Boy is the third novel from Philippe Besson.
Written in French, the novel has been translated to English by Sam Taylor.
What's it about?
In the summer of 1985, on a scruffy resort island off the coast of France, six teenagers—five boys and one girl—band together for a final golden season before adulthood.
Their days are drenched in sun and freedom, and their nights simmer with secrets, jealousy, and longing.
Philippe is drawn to Nicolas, the quiet new boy who sees him in a way that no one else does.
As their bond deepens, part of Nicolas remains unreachable—until a sudden tragedy brings their summer to a brutal end.
What themes does the novel explore?
Autobiography
- It's described as an autobiographical novel.
- It can be seen as a sequel to Lie With Me, picking up the story of Philippe - now aged 18 - as he holidays with the family and navigates his transition to adulthood.
- Besson has shaped his memories into this narrative - it's explicitly auto-fiction.
Coming of Age
- The story explores the intoxicating power of adolescent desire seen through a queer lens.
- The final summer of adolescence effectively evokes the liminal space that we have to navigate as we leave childhood behind.
Friendship
- Our friends shape us from a young age - even short-term or transitory friendships can have a lasting impact on our experience of the world.
Memory
- The book is not written in the present-tense - these are the writings of Philippe when he is older, looking back at the pivotal events of his youth.
- The story is an illustration of how key events resonate through our lives and shape who we become.
- There's a sense that these memories of Philippe are a bit of a romanticised version of the truth - looking back at the past with rose-tinted glasses. It's also an example of the stories we tell ourselves - building a narrative of our past that helps us to make sense of who we have become.
Grief
- The events of this summer leave a lasting impact on Philippe - his grief and regrets fuel an obsession that stays with him into adulthood.
Why is this an important novel for gay men?
Besson effectively brings to life the time and place in which he has set this story, transporting the reader into a mindset that will feel far-removed from today's world.
The story is likely to resonate particularly with younger readers - there's a Young Adult sensibility to this book. It effectively captures some of the highs and lows of adolescence and impending adulthood.
Philippe's sexuality isn't a plot-point in this narrative, it's merely part of who he is and how he navigates his life.
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