Fielding Gray

Fielding Gray is Volume IV of the novel sequence Alms for Oblivion by Simon Raven, published in 1967.

The story takes place during the period right after World War II, from May to September 1945 Fielding Gray is also the name of a character who features in this and six of the other nine volumes of the Alms for Oblivion series.

A man of high moral standing who tries to help Gray but prohibits him from entering Lancaster after he has found out about his lying to his mother and even hitting her.

The father ends up in bed with young Angela Tuck but dies of heart failure when the spying Fielding slams the door.

The story starts after the end of World War II in Europe, in May 1945, at the school that is attended by Fielding Gray and his friends.

Gray, who seems bored during the whole service, mentions early in his story that he has an affection for Christopher Roland, another boy of the school.

People are starting to talk about their relationship and Gray doesn't really dare to see Roland again, at least not in school.

Gray goes home to his parents, his bullying father and weak mother, for the school holidays.

He flirts with the young Mrs. Tuck, Angela, who even promises him a sexual relationship on a longer basis if he joins them in India.

When he makes a visit to Angela he hears her in the bedroom with his father, and slams the front door in fury when he leaves.

During a meeting with the Headmaster Fielding is told that Christopher has been arrested for strange behaviour outside an army base.

When he refuses to obey (and he even hits her) she tells the board at Cambridge and Fielding's chances are spoiled.

Morrison has met with Fielding's mother and told her about his plan, since he didn't think he could lie to her.

With all roads blocked, Gray settles for a career in the army, something that Captain Detterling, an old boy of the school, had urged on him earlier.

Towards the end of the book Fielding is describing a short but bitter meeting he has had with Peter on the island of Santa Kytherea (where he is stationed) in 1955.