Darkmans
Darkmans by Nicola Barker, published by HarperCollins on November 27, 2007, is an expansive work of fiction that delves into the intricate relationship between history and human experience. Spanning 848 pages, this novel presents a unique exploration of how history can manifest in unexpected ways, featuring a diverse cast of characters, including historical figures and modern-day individuals, each grappling with their own peculiarities and obsessions.
Readers will encounter a narrative that intertwines themes of love, jealousy, and the complexities of existence in a contemporary setting. The story unfolds in Ashford, where the past influences the present, revealing layers of invasion, displacement, and the absurdities of life. With elements of comedy and a focus on the human condition, Darkmans invites reflection on the darker aspects of history and personal experience, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in the interplay of time and identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Darkmans is an exhilarating, extraordinary examination of the ways in which history can play jokes on us all… If History is just a sick joke which keeps on repeating itself, then who exactly might be telling it, and why? Could it be John Scogin, Edward IV’s infamous court jester, whose favorite pastime was to burn people alive – for a laugh? Or could it be Andrew Boarde, Henry VIII’s physician, who kindly wrote John Scogin’s biography? Or could it be a tiny Kurd called Gaffar whose days are blighted by an unspeakable terror of – uh – salad? Or a beautiful, bulimic harpy with ridiculously weak bones? Or a man who guards Beckley Woods with a Samurai sword and a pregnant terrier?
Darkmans is a very modern book, set in Ashford [a ridiculously modern town], about two very old-fashioned subjects: love and jealousy. It’s also a book about invasion, obsession, displacement and possession, about comedy, art, prescription drugs and chiropody. And the main character? The past, which creeps up on the present and whispers something quite dark – quite unspeakable – into its ear.
The third of Nicola Barker’s narratives of the Thames Gateway, Darkmans is an epic novel of startling originality.
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