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The Stamp of Nature
Peter Harvey is a second year undergraduate in the Oxford of 1968. At school, two years earlier, he had an affair with John, a younger boy, whom he then dropped. Now, John is coming to the same college. Memories unlocked and Peter faces the issue of his sexuality, aided by his old friend and mentor, Arthur Benson, the school's deputy head. Peter and John meet and resume their relationship, but can it survive the events of a traumatic summer? Five years later, we see Peter returning to his old school as a teacher, seeking to build a new life. He settles in with help from Arthur Benson and new colleagues Terry Fowler and Ian Palmer. The school has problems, it is stuck firmly in the past. A new headmaster, Bob Jordan, has plans for sweeping changes, but he faces opposition from a cabal of teachers, sixth formers and governors. They will use any weapon in their fight against reform. Can they succeed? Will they destroy Peter's new life? And where is John in all this?
316 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 15, 2018
‘The Stamp of Nature’ by Chris Cheek published by Cameron Publicity and Marketing ltd! and is out now
This Its a story of 2 guys who meet in School, then split, then re meet at Uni then split then re meet at the same Uni where they are both now teachers!
Basically its a love story, kinda
Its all set in the background of prejudice and intolerance and in the privately funded education system ( that we weirdly call public!! ) and part of the story deals with complants of ‘homosexuals’ being teachers and Governors resigning in disgust etc etc
The usual fayre of gay men getting married, unrequited love, guilt, depression and errr more guilt is covered
I have to say there was less sex scenes than in many books I read
In parts It all felt very ‘Brideshead Revisited,not saying this is a bad thing!
Some parts did make me wince at how gay people were treated and then almost with a shock I was like ‘so were you Mark’ its easy to forget how far and how quick ( tho it may not seem so for youngsters today) gay rights have come!.......some of it was upsetting yet uplifting to realise how attitudes have changed
I enjoyed the love story side of things and not so much the inner wranglings of the University side
Its a book that will only appeal to a certain % of people as is with any minority interest book I would imagine
I appreciated the insight and indeed harsh reminder of being gay and young and feeling the world is against you and feeling lost
At times the book felt very old fashioned in its language and way of storytelling
The ending waa not as I expected........
This Its a story of 2 guys who meet in School, then split, then re meet at Uni then split then re meet at the same Uni where they are both now teachers!
Basically its a love story, kinda
Its all set in the background of prejudice and intolerance and in the privately funded education system ( that we weirdly call public!! ) and part of the story deals with complants of ‘homosexuals’ being teachers and Governors resigning in disgust etc etc
The usual fayre of gay men getting married, unrequited love, guilt, depression and errr more guilt is covered
I have to say there was less sex scenes than in many books I read
In parts It all felt very ‘Brideshead Revisited,not saying this is a bad thing!
Some parts did make me wince at how gay people were treated and then almost with a shock I was like ‘so were you Mark’ its easy to forget how far and how quick ( tho it may not seem so for youngsters today) gay rights have come!.......some of it was upsetting yet uplifting to realise how attitudes have changed
I enjoyed the love story side of things and not so much the inner wranglings of the University side
Its a book that will only appeal to a certain % of people as is with any minority interest book I would imagine
I appreciated the insight and indeed harsh reminder of being gay and young and feeling the world is against you and feeling lost
At times the book felt very old fashioned in its language and way of storytelling
The ending waa not as I expected........
August 1, 2019
Review to come!
August 19, 2018
At it's core, The Stamp of Nature is a well crafted tale of homophobia, the fear it creates, and the long lasting effects from it.
The story is not a light and easy read, both due to the nature of it's contents, as well as the writing style.
The writing style is interesting, as it constantly jumps around to different points of view, sharing the mindset of many characters and the many events that take place. It is not faced paced in it's action, but rather by the way in which it is told.
The stories of both John and Peter are heart-wrenching overall.
John has spent his life believing that he can't allow himself to be gay, and trying to allow himself to be "cured." As a result, many people are deeply affected, and John has some self-reflecting to do.
Peter has accepted his homosexuality, but still struggles with having to hide, as well as being rejected by John. As he's told to move on and create a life without John, he still struggles as the effects from loving John and losing him are many and long lasting.
The setting for the story, a school for boys, set in the late 1960s and early 1970s allows us a look back at the early days of fighting homophobia and trying to stand up against it.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed The Stamp of Nature, but do not be fooled. It is not a romance, but more of a detailed read that revolves around love.
The story is not a light and easy read, both due to the nature of it's contents, as well as the writing style.
The writing style is interesting, as it constantly jumps around to different points of view, sharing the mindset of many characters and the many events that take place. It is not faced paced in it's action, but rather by the way in which it is told.
The stories of both John and Peter are heart-wrenching overall.
John has spent his life believing that he can't allow himself to be gay, and trying to allow himself to be "cured." As a result, many people are deeply affected, and John has some self-reflecting to do.
Peter has accepted his homosexuality, but still struggles with having to hide, as well as being rejected by John. As he's told to move on and create a life without John, he still struggles as the effects from loving John and losing him are many and long lasting.
The setting for the story, a school for boys, set in the late 1960s and early 1970s allows us a look back at the early days of fighting homophobia and trying to stand up against it.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed The Stamp of Nature, but do not be fooled. It is not a romance, but more of a detailed read that revolves around love.
March 4, 2026
The Stamp of Nature by Chris Cheek is a thoughtful and emotionally layered novel set against the rigid backdrop of late 1960s Oxford. It explores identity, repression, and the lingering consequences of first love with quiet intensity. Peter’s journey toward self-acceptance feels authentic and poignant, especially as past relationships resurface and collide with professional ambition. The school setting adds political and social tension that deepens the drama. A reflective and compelling read about love, growth, and the courage to confront both personal and institutional change.
March 4, 2026
Chris Cheek’s The Stamp of Nature is a subtle yet powerful story about memory, desire, and the weight of the past. Set in a time when honesty about one’s identity carried real risk, the novel captures the emotional complexity of rekindled love and unresolved guilt. Peter’s return to both John and his old school creates a layered narrative filled with tension, vulnerability, and quiet courage. It’s a reflective, character-driven novel that lingers long after the final page.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews