A Spot of Bother is a family drama where every character is self-absorbed, at least initially, and then as the story progresses they come out of their cocoons to be there for one another. They are a normal family, with each member going through their own thing. But then, is there ever such a thing as a 'normal' family?
Here you'll meet the retired 57 years old George Hall who is looking to spend his time building a studio and reading books. You'll sympathize with him when you find out that his wife, Jean, is having an affair. But that won't stop you from rooting for Jean as well. The family, like every other family, has its issues. The son, Jamie, is gay. The daughter, Katie, is about to remarry. And the parents, George and Jean, don't approve of the man.
Just when George is trying to come to terms with everything that is happening around him, he discovers a rash on his hip and that has him convinced he is suffering from terminal cancer. Even when the doctor claims it is eczema, he is sure it's a misdiagnosis. To make matters worse, he sees his wife in bed with another man, but he can't bring himself to confront her or even talk about it with anyone for the fear that talking about it might cement the picture in his mind. George believes talking is 'overrated' and it is this belief that forms the base of the story.
Haddon's writing is smooth and he animates the story with a realistic portrayal of every day life. Reading him, at times, feels therapeutic because the language is brilliantly done. You'll want to read certain passages over and over again. I did. There is also a lot of British humor in the book, and the way Haddon finds humor in the most mundane of settings makes A Spot of Bother a delightful read. You are so thoroughly entertained that the smallish font in the vintage paperback edition doesn't keep you from relishing every word.
However, the one downfall of the book is that nothing that happens gets you worked up and actually concerned for the characters. Even when George cuts himself and there is a lot of blood, you don't fear for his life. When Katie cancels her wedding, and Ray (the man she was to marry) disappears, it feels like an every day occurrence. Even when Jamie's lover Tony decides to leave him because he feels Jamie isn't invested in the relationship, you don't feel much empathy for the duo.
This doesn't, in any way, mean that the writer has fallen short of his own set standards. It's just that the story doesn't lead anywhere and, like life, keeps moving in circles. While The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was an unfamiliar world where every event that took place had us looking forward to the next, A Spot of Bother feels familiar and hence comfortable. And this familiarity works mostly in favor of the story and the writer, only occasionally leaving the reader wanting more.
Haddon explores the subtleties of family dynamics and the messiness of family issues and forces you to look at the same event in different ways. You are yanked into the minds of the characters and though you don't feel for them, you can relate to them. The beauty of the book lies in the way the perspectives change depending on who the narrator is. Many a times, something told from George's point of view is repeated in an entirely different way from Katie's perspective.
You will also stick with the novel because it offers funny insights and makes you think about your own family. You realize that all families, in their own unique ways, are somewhat dysfunctional. When you turn the final page, you're left with the understanding that family is what holds things together when everything seems to be falling apart, and no matter how much you try, there is simply no escape. And maybe for the first time ever, you're actually grateful for that.
cillakhatry@gmail.com
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