Rating: Sublime
Caledonian Road is the product of a decade’s worth of work by Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan. It was definitely worth the effort on his part, the novel is a brilliant display of modern realism with complex themes and an array of engaging characters. The novel is, essentially, an embodiment of our times as seen through the prism of London and its strata of society, from the aristocracy, Russian oligarchs, academics, politicians, journalists, actors, scenesters, gang members, people smugglers and Dickensian crones (well, one Dickensian crone). Containing over sixty characters, the novel centres around art historian and cultural theorist, Campbell Flynn. Flynn has emerged from working class circumstances (his parents steal the silverware when on holiday) to become a feted cultural commentator, a scion of the aristocracy via marriage and the author of a new book that he hopes will make him a great deal of money – Why Men Weep in Their Cars. I laughed out loud at this book title, a brilliant stroke of satire, in such a manner that people on the train looked up from their phones in a startled fashion. Such delightful displays of satire are featured throughout Caledonian Road; not only is the novel a very serious examination of our dysfunctional times, but it is also very funny indeed, featuring humour so dry that drought-stricken Europe comes to mind. Just as well because there’s no getting away from the heavy thematic thrust: the tragedy of generational inequality, the narcissistic entitlement of the younger generations, the misogyny of the older generations facing up to our era of cancel culture and the exploitation of illegal immigrants.
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| O'Hagan and his insightful literary gaze |
