England, England

I've been really busy working most days this Summer, and as I have had a few hours to kill before and after work each day, I have decided to be productive and to start on my literature reading list for final year! I know, that might seem a bit keen, but trust me, it makes life so much easier when it comes to having to write assignments and do secondary reading, and I’m so determined to make next year count!

Anyway, the first book on my reading list for a post-colonial module is England, England by Julian Barnes... it was short-listed for the 1998 Booker Prize, so I expected it to be a good read, with a fast-paced narrative. The title doesn't give away anything about the plot, other than it might have something to do with England, and the cover is quite a modern design which made me think it would be an easier book to begin with – something gentle to ease me in to what promises to be an intense year.

The novel is divided into 3 parts. Part 1 seems for the most part to be quite irrelevant to the main plot for the amount of detail included in it, but nonetheless an interesting opening that provides a different perspective to Part 2. Part 2 is the longest section of the novel, where most of the plot development takes place. Part 3 seems to explore the consequences of what happens in part 2, and is written from Martha’s perspective – much like part 1 was to introduce her background as a key character, part 3 builds on this to explore her decisions and impact on ‘The Island’ in comparison to Jack Pitman, the initial owner of ‘The Island’, and to follow through her life post-island – again, fairly irrelevant to the main plot. As I was reading this book, I was struggling to really ‘get it’…not the content, I had no difficulty following the plot, and the historical context seems spot on. It was the purpose I was struggling with, what was the real point to this book? On reflection, I still have no idea!

In relation to post-colonialism, Barnes takes everything historic and significant from imperial ‘Old England’ to create a one stop, sightseeing experience for tourists. Hidden within the narrative is the odd witty remark or comment about imperial England which I can only guess relates to his personal opinion. I may be wrong, but it appears that he is exploring what could have happened if someone logical but entirely patriotic was in charge, and gets away with hiding his opinions within the text by disguising to whole thing as a business venture.

England, England is obviously a lot more complex than this - as I will discover next year – but it does seem at a first glance that the whole book is an excuse for Barnes to explore the history of England and the empire and play about with time restrictions. I think the fact that I have been told to read it, rather than read it for fun, may be swaying my judgement… my inner stubborn streak immediately wants to dislike this text! However, my interest in all things post-colonial is convincing me to reserve clear judgement on this text until I know more about it.