The Stamp of Nature by Chris Cheek

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Blurb

Peter Harvey is a second year undergraduate in the Oxford of 1968. At school, two years earlier, he had an affair with John, a younger boy, whom he then dropped. Now, John is coming to the same college.

Memories unlocked and Peter faces the issue of his sexuality, aided by his old friend and mentor, Arthur Benson, the school’s deputy head. Peter and John meet and resume their relationship, but can it survive the events of a traumatic summer?

Five years later, we see Peter returning to his old school as a teacher, seeking to build a new life. He settles in with help from Arthur Benson and new colleagues Terry Fowler and Ian Palmer.

The school has problems, though: it is stuck firmly in the past. A new headmaster, Bob Jordan, has plans for sweeping changes, but he faces opposition from a cabal of teachers, sixth formers and governors. They will use any weapon in their fight against reform.

Can they succeed? Will they destroy Peter’s new life? And where is John in all this?

REVIEW
My Rating - 4 Stars!

At it's core, The Stamp of Nature is a well crafted tale of homophobia, the fear it creates, and the long lasting effects from it.

The story is not a light and easy read, both due to the nature of it's contents, as well as the writing style.

The writing style is interesting, as it constantly jumps around to different points of view, sharing the mindset of many characters and the many events that take place. It is not faced paced in it's action, but rather by the way in which it is told.

The stories of both John and Peter are heart-wrenching overall.

John has spent his life believing that he can't allow himself to be gay, and trying to allow himself to be "cured." As a result, many people are deeply affected, and John has some self-reflecting to do.

Peter has accepted his homosexuality, but still struggles with having to hide, as well as being rejected by John. As he's told to move on and create a life without John, he still struggles as the effects from loving John and losing him are many and long lasting.

The setting for the story, a school for boys, set in the late 1960s and early 1970s allows us a look back at the early days of fighting homophobia and trying to stand up against it.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed The Stamp of Nature, but do not be fooled. It is not a romance, but more of a detailed read that revolves around love.