I haven’t read as much fiction as I intended, so I went for a classic that’s been sitting on my shelf for decades.  A very well written character study.  The protagonist, a writer, travels to Venice in the hope that it will cure his writer’s block.  While there, he becomes spellbound and obsessed by a beautiful teenage boy.  First published in 1912, it touches on many interesting themes, including gay desire, bodily decay, love and suffering.   Deserving of all the accolades it has received.