Friday, February 16, 2018

Peter Ackroyd's novel THREE BROTHERS has a lot to recommend it, particularly to admirers of the author. However, like his earlier book THE CASEBOOK OF VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, one might be inclined, on reaching the last page, to wonder why he bothered. Both books, in my opinion, end with a whimper. On the plus side fans will find Ackroyd indulging in a lot of his obsessions such as London, the literati, suggestions of the supernatural (here in the shape of nuns that appear and disappear) and mysticism (at least two encounters with the Virgin Mary). But to what end? True, some of the incidents in the novel are superbly described and it is impossible not to be carried along by the narrative but, hopefully, towards some end. For me that end never came. Perhaps the fault lies with me. Did I miss something?

Three brothers are born on the same day in successive years in Camden Town. One becomes a reporter, one has an academic career, and one drifts aimlessly. Their mother mysteriously leaves home when they are young but unexpectedly re-emerges into their respective lives as they encounter crooked newspaper tycoons, a Rackman like slum landlord, corrupt politicians, murder, an Artful Dodger-like rent boy and South London gangsters. The lives of all the characters begin to interweave in fascinating twists and turns and then, it seemed to me, Ackroyd couldn't find an ending. I say "as it seemed" to me as I'm pretty sure that Ackroyd ended the book just as he wanted and had a point to make. I didn't see it. I can't say I didn't enjoy the novel but I wish I understood it.

Peter Ackroyd is one of my favourite modern authors. I have a lot of his books, although it is far from being a complete collection as he is remarkably prolific. I'm not sure how I first encountered his work but am content to believe it was on the recommendation of Iain Sinclair, whose poem LUD HEAT was the inspiration for Ackroyd's premier novel HAWKSMOOR. The two writers share a fascination/obsession with London which runs through both their careers. I find both quite fascinating although Ackroyd is the more accessible to me (and, I suspect, many others.) His novels have (just) a recognisable narrative flow and are packed full of challenging idea. If I had to pick favourites among his fiction, my top five would be. HAWKSMOOR, FIRST LIGHT (imagine Thomas Hardy rewritten by Nigel Kneale - or vice versa!), DAN LENO AND THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM (recently filmed), THE HOUSE OF DR.DEE and CHATTERTON.