A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia

A book that demonstrates  the many forms of passion: spiritual, sensual and earthly human.

​The story opens in Rome in the 1950s where a young man completes his training as a Roman Catholic priest. After serving in the Second World War he feels deep guilt about the things he has done and seeks atonement, the Church the place to do it. His first placement as a priest is in a village called Monks Kirby in north-east Warwickshire, England. Here he meets a vibrant and progressive female theology teacher and they begin a long friendship that eventually turns to romantic love.

The next chapters focus on another young man who discovers that his grandmother has a scandalous past. Then the story follows her, Margaret, starting with a failed relationship with a married man that left her heartbroken. She then visits Rome to train in theology. She takes in the sightseeing and the arts of the city, particularly the religious sculptures, but also the masculine perfection in the statue of  Michelangelo's 'David'. It is no coincidence that the priest in the tale is also called David and is also a beautiful, perfect man.

The story is told in two timelines, from the 1950s onwards detailing their relationship, and in modern day from 2018 where Margaret is elderly and suffering from dementia. The chapters are clearly dated but the points of view flip between the characters and locations often, which leads to a little confusion. However, the most confusing aspect is the lack of inverted commas for speech, the author choosing one dash at the beginning of the speech. I'm not sure where the talking ends and someone else's thoughts have taken over.

This is a moving story about sacrifice, faith, compromise, prejudice, modernity and guilt. There are passages of poetic exposition and gritty sexuality. The characters are complex, showing great strength while having human vulnerabilities. They are likable and admirable, people I'd like to know. Captivating with plenty to think about. Recommended. 

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Published by Pan Macmillan, Picador on 19 February 2026.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.