Josiah Stubb is a controversial book, no question. It was meant to be, and that has been reflected in the reviews it's received. Therefore it's doubly welcome when I see a review by a reader who gets it. Not all of them do.
Thanks very much, Stephen, this was most welcome.
In
this novel historical facts abound, all well-researched and
interesting. The same must be said about military procedures, practice
and paraphernalia. I realise that this is what some readers seek first
and foremost in historical fiction. For me, however, the greatest
interest in this book lies in the relationships and psychological
functioning of the characters, as well as the moral issues they
encounter. This narrative embeds all of that in the circumstances of a
past era, but they are basically timeless.
The search for one’s
unique identity involves disentangling the tentacles of falsity, fear
and coercion in whose grip one is born. This is a lifetime’s battle, and
it demands of the warrior courage, faith and honesty. And even then we
might find the goal is not completely won before death. Such is the task
of very likeable warrior Josiah Stubbs, a finely etched character who
narrates his own story in C.W. Lovatt’s novel. His war must be fought
both on the military battleground and in private life.
There are
plenty of other very interesting and diverse secondary characters who
come alive with their own stories. The author manages them superbly with
his understanding of people, fine grasp of the written word and
narrative craft.
I had moments of tears on the way through this
story: Josiah’s path through a very difficult world is heart-breaking at
times. Yet there were other moments of joy when I was inspired with
hope for him and humankind. It’s a very gritty tale, leavened with
dollops of real love and goodness. The grittiness—violence, sexual
compulsion, ruthless wielding of power and other unpleasant behaviour of
the human species—needs frank but skilled handling by an author if it
is to be accepted by the reader. For me, Mr Lovatt has proved himself
able to manage this aspect very well indeed.
By contrast with
that appalling background, goodness and the possibility of betterment
shine through all the brighter. And that is what I was left with at the
end.
This is an outstanding novel that deserves many, many readers.
