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higherwvrlvck's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
To sum up this book in one word: devastating. The cover and synopsis could tell you that much, but reading it, you feel it in many different ways you may not expect. Besides her beautiful prose, Bethan Roberts narrative structure was really clever and interesting. Most of the novel is told retrospectively from Marion's point of view. Two of the five parts are written/narrated by Patrick. While all three characters-Patrick, Tom, and Marion-are apart of the story, it really feels like Marion has the main voice. Thus, she seems to be the protagonist of this novel. But having Patrick as also another voice highlights their common subject, Tom or My Policeman. In the acknowledgements, Roberts mentions the main sources she used to write the novel, but the novel has also been advertised as "Inspired by the life of E.M. Forster and his relationship with his long-time companion Bob Buckingham and his wife." Reading this in the synopsis is what really convinced me to read My Policeman, having watched Maurice (1987) and knowing a bit about Forster's life. It definitely lived up to that selling point, but I wonder where the line is drawn between fact and fiction. Overall, really loved this book, but I found it a bit slow at times, Marion was a bit of an annoying narrator/character, and while the ending absolutely broke my heart, the story still felt incomplete with some practical gaps in the plot line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia and Abortion
Besides one scene towards the end of the novel in Part IV, I don't think there's anything violently graphic, but there are plenty of sex scenes that go into moderate detail. This is the only scene that might be severely triggering for contemporary readers. The attitudes and cultural values of late 1950s Britain are present, so that includes misogyny which I think Bethan Roberts begins discussions about the possible tensions between Patrick and Tom's misogyny (and from characters like Sylvie's husband) and Marion's homophobia several times that are very interesting.bstar03's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide, Infidelity, Sexism, Abortion, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
sophafie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Abortion, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Terminal illness
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