"The Emperor of Ice-Cream" a novel by the Northern Irish author Brian Moore, published in 1965.
The novel takes place in San Francisco during the summer of 1963. The protagonist is a young man named Gavin Burke, who has recently arrived in the city from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Gavin is a struggling writer who has come to San Francisco to try and make a name for himself in the literary world.
Gavin becomes involved with two very different women: Martha, a wealthy socialite who is bored with her privileged life, and Louise, a working-class waitress who dreams of a better future. Gavin finds himself torn between these two women, and his feelings for them become increasingly complicated as the novel progresses.
As Gavin tries to navigate his relationships with Martha and Louise, he also becomes involved with a group of radical activists who are protesting against the Vietnam War and other social injustices. Gavin is initially drawn to their idealism and passion, but as he becomes more deeply involved with the group, he begins to question their methods and their goals.
"The Emperor of Ice-Cream" is a thoughtful exploration of themes such as love, class, and politics. Brian Moore's prose is spare and understated, but he manages to convey a great deal of emotional depth through his characters and their interactions. The novel is also notable for its vivid depiction of San Francisco during the early 1960s, a time of great cultural and social upheaval in the United States.
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