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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

A special brother: The Insect Farm by Stuart Prebble

23/3/2015

7 Comments

 
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When his parents die in a house fire, Jonathan Maguire decides to give up his studies at Newcastle University and move back to London to live with his brother. Six years older but with the mind of an eight-year-old, Roger has little understanding of the workings of the social world, but is an expert on the community of insects he breeds in glass-fronted cages in a garden shed. Despite their age difference, the boys were extremely close as children and Jonathan is determined to do the right thing by his brother, but his loyalty comes at a cost. Not only does he give up his degree, but it means separation from his girlfriend, Harriet, a talented flautist much admired by young men. Their marriage, just before Harriet returns to university after the summer break, does little to assuage Jonathan’s suspiciousness and jealousy, especially when she is the only woman in a classical quartet that includes his nemesis, Brendan Harcourt, who has never attempted to hide his attraction to Harriet. With Harriet’s support, and the occasional fiery confrontation, Jonathan seems to be learning to manage his emotions, when Roger reveals witnessing an illicit kiss after a performance by the quartet.

This is the second book I’ve received as part of the Curtis Brown Book Group (the first being Antonia Honeywell’s The Ship, a post-apocalyptic novel that managed to arouse the interest of readers generally averse to the genre) and, published by independent publisher Alma books, one that might not otherwise have come to my attention. I was pleased to find interesting themes that had not had much of an airing in my recent reading: the violence of male jealousy (although not featuring much in my review, Before, During, After is the only novel where I recall this being of significance) and the experience of having a sibling with a learning disability. Regarding the former, my main acquaintance with the emotion comes from Shakespeare’s Othello; regarding the latter, conversations with a friend about her longitudinal research, published in academic papers and in a book, Special Brothers and Sisters, designed to be accessible to the children themselves.

Given the popularity of novels narrated from the point of view of someone with communication or comprehension issues, from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to Elizabeth Is Missing, I was curious about the author’s decision to show Roger through the eyes of his brother. Jonathan often comments on the impossibility of understanding what goes on within his brother’s mind, yet I was a little surprised that he rarely acknowledged any envy of his special treatment, nor did he encourage Roger to develop his skills to, for example, make his own simple breakfast. I wondered in the course of my reading whether this were a reflection of my own limited understanding of learning disabilities or, as in my critiques of fictional therapists, that of the author. The surprise and immensely satisfying ending suggested another interpretation: that this was very much down to a blind spot of the narrator himself. So I asked the author about this at our online book group meeting (my question in bold and the author’s reply following immediately after):

I enjoyed how the ending reveals that Jonathan has significantly underestimated Roger’s capacity to understand the tragic events unfolding around him. He also never acknowledges a dark side to their relationship, not even the slightest hint of sibling rivalry as children. Might it be this denial that leads to his sacrificing his own ambitions for the sake of his brother and to his ultimate downfall?

Thanks for this. I always wanted Roger to be an enigma … for us always to suspect that there might be more to him than met the eye. I tried to drop clues as we went through the narrative … but it was always a balance between making him too "knowing" or too naive. I feel gratified that the "surprise" seems to have worked for most readers so far …

To my mind, Jonathan has characteristics of the compulsive carer whose compassion for another comes before compassion for himself, which also came into my discussion with Norah on her compassion blog post.

Since it’s foreshadowed in the prologue, I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I also say that the novel reminds me of a documentary I once watched about research into the decomposition of the human body as well as the Jim Crace novel, Being Dead, neither of which are as gruesome as one might expect.

Stuart Prebble’s debut is a literary suspense novel about obsession, sibling loyalty, male jealousy, the reliability of memory and the enigma of another’s mind – and an innovative take on farming. As with the colony of insects bred by Roger, it’s certainly worth a closer look.


Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
7 Comments
sarah link
24/3/2015 12:24:43 pm

This novel seems packed with psychological goodness. ;-) Wow. A lot of blows to the MC. I get what your concern is about the MC and what you asked the author but I'm not sure I understand the answer she gave. ? I read it twice but am still not sure she answered the question. Did I miss something?

It's possible to not have rivalry or resentment between siblings (I think). I, too, would think it to be impossible but, as far as I can tell, we have none in our house. Of course, it's not as severe as this novel but there are considerations and appointments and extra attention given. Also, with your observation about not encouraging Roger to develop skills such as making his own breakfast -- this is something we battle with as parents. Pushing our kids, picking our battles, being so exhausted that we continue to do ridiculous things for them because we're not thinking or because we can do it faster... As an adult but a sibling, not a parent, I can see how he would fall into this trap. This might come out in a blog post on Lemon Shark, if you don't mind. I'll link you.

Reply
Annecdotist
25/3/2015 01:55:36 am

Ah, your comment reminds me of your lovely compassion flash, and I wish I'd thought to link it to this post. I'm very interested in your take on this novel and the themes from your own experience of parenting.
Actually, I wasn't so sure about the author's answer to my question either, but I wasn't able to pursue it, so I thought I'd post it here to see what others think. Sorry you had to do extra reading to check it out.
I take your point, it is possible for parents to manage to support their kids sufficiently so that there is no sibling rivalry, just as it's possible to avoid the extremes of teenage rebellion. However, I would have more readily accepted that in this novel if Jonathan hadn't given up so much for his brother – it seems to me that there must have been some other motivation beyond his loyalty to family and Roger. But perhaps I'm too cynical about human relationships!
Thanks for helping me reflect on this further.

Reply
Annecdotist
25/3/2015 01:57:33 am

Oops, meant to add that I'll look forward to your own post on this and I'd be very grateful for the link.

Quanie Miller link
26/3/2015 07:41:46 am

The book sounds interesting. I added it to my TBR list on Goodreads but almost didn't recognize it because the US cover is different from the one here (looks a bit more creepy/suspenseful). Sounds like a great read.

Reply
Annecdotist
27/3/2015 02:59:33 am

Glad I've whetted your appetite, Quanie. Those covers can be confusing, can't they? Not only different in different countries, but often a different one for e-book, paperback and hardback editions. Still, good to keep the designers in business!

Reply
Norah Colvin link
30/3/2015 04:26:44 am

Hi Anne,
I didn't realise how far behind I was with my reading. Apologies. I have had a few distractions. Thank you also for linking to my post. I do enjoy our discussions.
This book sounds interesting, and the cover with it's butterfly appealed to me from the start, though I wasn't too keen on the blood.
The book Special Brothers and Sisters sounds interesting, and even more appealing because it is meant to be accessible to children. I might have to check it out.
I have actually read one of the books you mention - woohoo! The Curious Incident ... I really enjoyed it, and felt it helped me develop some understanding of difference.
Thanks again for another very enjoyable post.

Reply
Annecdotist
30/3/2015 06:32:58 am

Not to worry, Norah. I've been posting rather frantically this past month with so many reviews and, much as I appreciate your feedback, don't feel pressured to keep to the same pace (especially not given your recent blog post).
Yeah, you might like the Special Brothers and Sisters book – and this is a reminder to me to email Annette and let her know she's got a shout here. Perhaps she'll have something to add – or correct minor misunderstanding of her research!

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