The premise behind Boyd's latest novel is contained in one of the two opening quotes by Chekhov: “Most people live their real, most interesting life under the cover of secrecy.” All three of the main characters (hence “Trio”; although the novel is also divided into three sections) have a secret to hide: a previously successful author is an alcoholic, a film producer is a closet homosexual, and an actress has been formerly married to a fugitive wanted by the FBI. As the novel develops, the plots of the three overlap, each in their own way completes a (cathartic) journey from duplicity to escape via surrender — the title of each of the novel's parts. The action occurs in the late 1960s (coincidentally the era of David Mitchell's recent novel), across Brighton, London and France. Boyd writes as compellingly and fluently as ever, although I sense Trio didn't quite hit the highs of some of his recent previous works. At times the novel seems almost to take on a more contemplative tone, a discussion about the relationship of individuals to a time in history, especially in their search for the things that make life worth living. 8.5 out of 10.
By William Boyd