This poignant and beautiful story, set in the 1970s in an English cathedral town, picks up Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice" theme but, by gently breaking the taboo, brings the man and boy closely together.
Roland Millan, successful artist and theatrical designer, falls in love with Piers Moriston, senior chorister at Wharnley Minster. A boy of rare beauty and mature for his age, he is in need of affection and Roland, though ready to give it, finds himself faced with a dilemma.
Piers' eagerness to take the intiative scares the man off in the end - not, however, before they have enjoyed an idyllic week in a cottage on the coast.
Back in the mundane world, they come up against its grim strictures. Roland, though a charismatic figure, is victim to his wayward emotions, and much of the action is seen through the distorting lens of his unstable nature.
"The Mayfly" is a unique and moving account of unusual humsan chemistry at work.