I’ve been looking forward to this novel since I first came across it in Canongate’s catalogue. Some of you may have already heard of Matthew Weiner, or you may know his writing from Mad Men or The Sopranos but not his name. As is so often the case, it’s the starry actors’ names that stay with us – Elisabeth Moss or James Gandolfini – but not the scriptwriters’ without whom, of course, there’d be no boxed set to watch and rewatch. Heather, The Totality is Weiner’s first novel, a slim, dark piece of fiction which more than fulfilled expectations raised by hours spent in front of his screen creations.
Mark and Karen have just tipped over into their forties when they meet. She’s something of a beauty, working as a publicist but happy at the prospect of marriage and a family. He works in finance, no physical match for her with his chubby plain features but successful in his way, if only through luck. They marry, set up house and soon Karen is pregnant. Heather is a beautiful, intelligent child, almost preternaturally empathetic. She becomes the centre of Karen’s life while Mark resentfully accepts whatever crumbs are thrown his way. When the penthouse apartment is renovated, most of the residents move out for the duration but Karen insists on staying, reluctant to disturb Heather’s routines. One of the workers arouses Mark’s suspicions when he’s caught ogling Heather, now a startlingly attractive teenager. A child of poverty and violence, Bobby is the opposite of Heather with whom he has become obsessed. For Mark, his intentions are terrifyingly clear.
Weiner’s smart, sharp debut explores privilege and deprivation, marriage and parenting, love and jealousy with precision and insight, all wrapped up in a taut piece of noir. The perspective shifts smoothly between the four main characters intensifying the novel’s suspense and our relationship with them. Weiner’s prose is as polished as you might expect from his screenwriting: clipped, crisp yet vivid.
Mark knew that unlike his Sister, who had starved to avoid breasts and menstruation and men, Heather would be a normal teenage girl, and that was no comfort either
Heather’s empathy had matured with the rest of her and was now incisive to the point of pain
Heather’s privilege and Bobby’s lack of it are quietly contrasted in parallel narratives woven neatly through the novel’s episodic structure. It all works beautifully and the ending is a triumph. Weiner’s book comes proclaimed ‘superb’ by Philip Pullman, and indeed it is.
I knew of his work though I had no idea about his name. Sounds good, but I do hope that he explores the beautiful woman + average man combo further than turning the woman into a mere trophy.
No, I wouldn’t say she’s portrayed as a trophy. He avoids that cliche!
That speaks volume about his views on women and his ability as a writer then!
I’ve just finished this and although I didn’t love it quite as much as you, I did find it totally gripping (read it in a day, couldn’t put it down).
I think it’s had a mixed reception but it worked for me, as you can tell. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
I’m glad you liked this one. I’ve seen mixed reviews but the way you described it makes it sound like something I would really enjoy!
Thanks, Anne. I suspect expectations were sky high for this one which usually means disappointment for some readers. It hit the spot for me, though.
Canongate always have a sharp eye for a good read, sounds like they’ve definitely found one here. Did it have a Mad Men feel to it? I still haven’t managed to get around to watching the box set (one day) but admired the few episodes I managed to watch.
They do indeed! I’d say it was in that it’s keenly observed. Oddly enough I didn’t get off to a very good start with Mad Men but persevered and became addicted.
The fact that your expectations were met is such an endorsement! It’s incredible that he’s managed to create something that stands up to Mad Men. I’ll definitely be asking Santa for this one.
I should say that some other reviewers haven’t taken to it so well but it was on the button for me (and for Philip Pullman!). Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Having loved the way that he resolved (or didn’t) these two television series, I was very curious to hear about this novel. It was also reviewed well recently on the NYT Book Review podcast (if I remember correctly) and the types of observations seemed particularly likely to strike a match with my reading taste. On that note, I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much as well.
Ah yes, Tony’s disappearance into the toilet… Thank you, and I’m please to hear that the NYT rate it.
You’ve reminded me of two things I forgot to mention: the deliberate capitalization of various nouns (especially relationships) — wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that; and the very clever repetition of the figure $1200.
I read that as a way of intensifying attention on the central characters by minimizing the secondary ones but had entirely forgotten about the $1200!
It’s the cost of the Breakstones’ coffee machine vs. the amount of money Bobby has in the world after getting out of prison. A nice detail, I thought.
It is. Eagle-eyed reader!
P.S. I only ever watched the first season of Mad Men, but would really like to see the rest.
It took me a little while to get into it but I became well and truly hooked.
Believe it or not, I’ve never seen his shows, but of course have heard a lot about them. This sounds like it has a definite creep factor – is that right?
Oh yes, very creepy!
Yes, I think that’s one Rebecca and I can definitely agree on!
It worked for me too. Very creepy as Rebecca says.
I was armed for disappointment with this one, so high were my expectations. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too