Spanning across the tumultuous twentieth century, 'The Stranger's Child' follows the intertwined lives of the Sawle and Valance families, altered irreversibly by a weekend in 1913. When Cecil Valance, a young and charismatic poet, visits the Sawle family at Two Acres and pens a poem for George Sawle's sister, Daphne, little do they realize its future significance. Cecil's verse becomes a cultural icon, marking an England on the brink of transformation. As time progresses, secrets unravel, truths shift, and the poem's legacy weaves through generations, reflecting England's social and sexual revolution. Alan Hollinghurst's novel, rich in historical ambience and psychological depth, captures an intricate portrait of family saga, personal intimacy, and the fluidity of legacy in a changing England.