The Go-Between is a novel written by English author, L.P Hartley in 1953. After discovering an old diary, the aging Leo Colston reflects upon the summer he spent as a child at Brandham Hall in Norfolk, the home of his wealthy school friend, Marcus. During his visit, Leo finds himself acting as a “Go-Between”, tasked with carrying letters between Marcus’ older sister, M and the local farmer.
Unaware of the sexual nature of their relationship, Leo is a willing accomplice until he realizes that Marian is engaged to the local viscount, the charismatic Lord Trimmingham. Leo attempts to relieve himself of the duty, and guilt, of his role as messenger. He, however, succumbs to his unyielding desire to win Marian’s affection and fails to break up the relationship before it is too late. The young farmer, Ted Burgess, commits suicide when news of the affair reaches Marian’s family.
At its core, the novel can be described as a documentation of the tragic loss of a child’s innocence and a study of the enduring effect of this on adulthood. The older Leo is portrayed as damaged and scarred by the events of his childhood; Hartley is frequently praised for his ability to explore psychological concepts through his writing. Since its publication, The Go-Between has been translated into several languages and has been adapted into many forms, such as a film of the same name in 1971.
