Martin John by Anakana Schofield review – funny, distressing and complicated

Why is Mam so worried about Martin John? This risky, curious novel about a sinister Irish loner will challenge the reader

This is a book about a man and his mother, which tells its story by travelling in and out of their heads. Their heads are easy to travel through because they are full of holes. What exactly is wrong with Martin John Gaffney and his Mam is not clear, but we do see how it affects them and others. Martin John, Irish but living in London, is acting as landlord in a house while the owner is in prison. His Mam, back in Ireland, warns him to visit his aunt every week and to get a job. “Get a job at night or I’ll come for ya.” She thinks this will keep him out of mischief – if mischief is the word. We don’t initially know what he has been doing, and finding out is part of the fun – if fun is the word. But that is Martin John: ambiguous; funny; distressing and complicated.

For most of the book we are in Martin John’s head, and the pages show what it’s like there: sometimes almost bare of words, elsewhere a torrent of thoughts. This is not a neat, well-behaved story; crucial details are swirling around in the whirlpool of Martin John’s mind, so the reader must watch out. But slowly we pick out details about his job, his tenants and just why Mam’s so worried. “Doesn’t matter who she is. Doesn’t matter who you are, love. You’re incidental. You need only be on the Tube when Martin John’s on the Tube, if he decides it’s the day to cadge a rub.” Other times, Mam speaks to us directly. “Everything I do and have done is to keep him on the outside. Sure if it’s in he goes, they’ll kill him.”

Continue reading...