It’s been a decade since A. M. Homes’ May We Be Forgiven was published so I was more than keen to read The Unfolding, particularly as the blurb suggested a state of the nation novel, although in this case it’s a look back at that state when the seeds of what was to come eight years later were sown. Opening on the day of the 2008 American presidential election, Homes’ satire ends on Obama’s first inauguration day when a shadowy association is confirmed, bent on overthrowing the new order so alien to its members.
Who will run the world when I’m gone?
The Big Guy is sitting in a hotel bar, knowing the game’s up for his party. Something must be done he and his drinking companion agree. It’s been a big election for the Big Guy whose daughter has cast her vote for the first time. Meghan’s a bright young woman, her views shaped by her parents but more than capable of thinking for herself, if a little naive. Returning home, the Big Guy sets about making contacts, some more extreme than others, working towards his plans to restore his vision of America which he knows will take time. Things aren’t all plain sailing: he’s a little unsettled by his best friend continuing to work for the Obama administration although that might be useful, come the revolution, and when his wife’s drinking can no longer be called social, he admits her to rehab, so drunk she’s unaware of where she is. On inauguration day, the conspirators meet for a celebration meal while Meghan attends the ceremony with her godfather. By then a bombshell has been dropped that has entirely changed Meghan’s view of herself and her family. At the end, the Big Guy announces his life’s goal, a surprising one which might even come true but perhaps not quite in the way he plans.
America is in the crapper and we need to do something about it
Sharply observed, Homes’ novel is also very funny, making you wince through the laughter in the way that successful satire does. It would have been easy to turn the Big Guy into a cartoon Trumpian figure but Homes paints him as someone who believes himself to be a kind and generous man, unable to accept the idea that his day may have passed or that his behaviour towards his wife, allowed no life of her own, is deeply misogynistic, not to mention his belief that daughters don’t count as much as sons. He’s a rich, spoiled, supremely egotistical white man, not consciously cruel or entirely unreasonable or stupid, drawing increasingly odd, downright deranged and violent people into his inner circle. I found it riveting but, probably a statement of the obvious, it’s a deeply political novel and may not appeal to everyone.
Granta Books: London 9781783785339 416 pages Paperback (Read via NetGalley)
That’s it from me for ten days or so. H and I are finally using our Eurostar tickets, bought in early 2020, and taking ourselves off to the Netherlands where we will not be visiting Amsterdam.
This looks like a book with my name on it, so I’m glad to see it’s on order at our library. Enjoy your trip – a lovely time of year for a holiday.
Thank you. It is, isn’t it, although packing will challenge my usual indecisiveness!
That’s great.
That’s the rather scary bit, people who think they’re in the right and not seeing what they’re doing to certain sections of society, even their own families. And that they have plenty who agree with them.
Enjoy your time off. The Netherlands always feels special to me since it was my first trip abroad when I was a child!
Couldn’t agree with you more, and thank you. We’re off tomorrow morning. It sounds like you have lovely memories of the country,
So I do, from pea soup and apple pancakes to my first meeting with Sinterklaas and Madurodam.
Will definitely look out for the apple pancakes!
This probably isn’t for me personally, but it may well suit some of my subscription readers when it makes it into p/b. I’m glad you enjoyed it – sharp and satirical may well be the order of the day in the months to come…
Have a good break in the Netherlands. (Have I missed something about Amsterdam?)
I think you’d definitely need an above average interest in American politics for this one but it should suit those who do very well.
Thanks, Jacqui. It’s just that I’ve been to Amsterdam many times but hardly set foot outside the city and explored the rest of the country.This time I’m resisting its siren call!
I have never read A M Homes but this does sound good, the injection of humour a particularly appealing aspect. I really hope you enjoy your break.
Thank you! We’re off to St Pancras shortly, much nicer than flying.
This does sound very well done, The Big Guy sounds a complex character when as you say he could easily have been a caricature. Have a lovely time in the Netherlands!
That would have been so easy to do, and perhaps cathartic, too. Thank you! We’ve had a very easy, relaxing first day.
Have a fabulous trip!!
It’s been great so far! We’re in the last few days of the holiday and it’s suddenly autumn which has me being inventive with layers thanks to overly optimistic packing.
I enjoyed this, in some respects, but thought some of it fell a bit flat. Homes is so good at conversation though and I very much enjoyed the child-like planning of the Big Guy’s gang.
The absolute bonkers, more sinister members of the gang were both funny and all too believable for me.
Have a nice journey