The debut novel, Magnificent Joe, by research consultant, musician and writer, James Wheatley, is told from the perspective of main character Jim, who has recently been released from prison. Guilty of manslaughter and released to a community that think he is a merciless killer, Jim has to forget his past and move on. That’s easier said than done in a small village and he soon discovers this as things take a turn for the worse. With only one truly trusted friend, simple-minded Joe, a story of deceit, betrayal and violence ensues.
Themes run strong within this novel. It raises questions about morality, friendship and trust, whilst also exhibiting a brilliant understanding of the dog-eat-dog world which we live in. Jim is not a dog, or more appropriately, he isn’t allowed to be a dog. With a criminal record, we see one man’s struggle to stay clean of violence and anger, but with his friends it’s pretty difficult. Wheatley manages to convey Jim’s psyche in a way that brings more depth to the story. Fantastic physical as well as mental description leave us guessing about what is going to happen next, and just when we think we’ve sussed it, we’re proven to be wrong. It’s as unpredictable as the British weather and, just like our oh so lovely weather, it leaves us frustrated on some occasions but pleasantly surprised on others. A lot of this is created through Jim’s personal friend Joe, who seems only to understand the word “magnificent.”
The simple-minded Joe in question is indeed our Magnificent Joe, a character who is perfectly created and lovable straight from the start. The characterisation, in fact, is what makes this story both believable and relatable. A life of alcohol, building sites and little sleep has trapped Jim because of his past. The pity and hope that we have for this broken man create a real bond between reader and character, something that is hard to come by when the subject is modern Britain.
The time period flits between Jim’s past (90s) and present (00s), allowing us to create a personality for him. It’s not that he’s difficult to understand, he’s just withdrawn with as many secrets as Gretchen Wiener’s hair. If you don’t get that reference, watch Mean Girls, quality film. Jim is a stark contrast to Joe who says exactly what he thinks, which is usually very little. The antithesis between the two balances nicely, with each character finding peace and solitude in the other’s company, something that both of them need. These moments of calm within the storm that is the rest of the story, bring laughter and joy to what would be a relentlessly pessimistic tragedy. But Wheatley once more gets the balance just right to keep us wanting to read more and more.
Wheatley demonstrates an incredibly intricate understanding of modern Britain and the working class and combines it with tragedy, wit and grit. For once the blurb got it spot on with, “Of Mice And Men meets Trainspotting.” Dark and serious but joyful and uplifting, something that is very hard to achieve. One of the best debuts and certainly one to watch in the future.
Prepare to be Bloggled! 