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Jack by A M Homes


 

Published: First in America in 1989, this GB edition published in 2013
 by Granta

Genre: Fiction

Themes: teenage friendships, family dynamics, new relationships, school

My rating (out of 5): ❤❤❤❤

This is a novel about a family break up in America where Jack's father leaves home to begin a new relationship with a man.  Looking at this story line in 2021, that is not very remarkable, but back in 1989 when the book was written, it must have been quite startling for a lot of people.  

Jack is an only child approaching his sixteenth birthday, and when his father first leaves home he assumes it is because his parents can no longer live together as they argue so much.  It is only after a few months of being away that Jack's father takes him out on a boat for the day and explains that the man he is living with is not just a room-mate but a new partner.  Up until this point Jack had coped well with his parents' break up, and even accepted his Mother's new partner, Michael, coming to live in their house, but this latest revelation is a step too far and initially he finds the whole idea impossible to deal with.  His greatest fear is that people at school will find out as he knows he will be in a world of pain if they do.

A M Holmes writes in an honest and straightforward style and as Jack's character is developed he is shown to be a thoughtful and considerate boy who is prepared to make up his own mind when he is given enough time to process his thoughts.  People at school find out very quickly, as Jack's best friend Max is incapable of discretion, and inevitably he is subjected to daily verbal taunts and abusive graffiti is scribbled across his school locker.

The book examines the dynamics of a number of families and we come to see that the apparent ideal of a heterosexual relationship is not necessarily as perfect as it appears to be.  Some relationships can be abusive and the book deals with difficult topics through the eyes of children and examines the ripple effects of dysfunctional behaviour and how the consequences go beyond the family home.

Despite the subject matter, the book is full of Jack's humour and the character is a very believable mid-teen.  At that age boys are starting to grow into the shape of a man but their minds and emotions are often struggling to keep up.  Having had two sons myself, I recognised the pattern of budding maturity hardening into uncontrollable anger or dissolving into tears, but Jack never becomes unlikeable.

This is the kind of book that would also appeal to a teen audience in the same way as John Green's 'Paper towns' or 'The fault in our stars' as it is relatable and very modern in feel despite being written thirty years ago.


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