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A review by pika_berry
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing is superb, but I felt disappointed.
I was expecting a “Brokeback Mountain”, and got a painful story about an unattractive woman instead.
The pain of what it feels like to be unwanted, and to pine for a man out of her league.
The desperate pursuing, self doubt, and consequent resentment. All because she chose someone who doesn’t like her.
I have half a mind to suspect she may have been autistic. I am autistic too, and the pain is too familiar.
I felt the policeman is the hidden “culprit” in this story. He had his cake and ate it too. He took advantage of a frumpy girl with a crush on him so he could have a wife and look good to the other people. And he got to enjoy a thrilling romance with a handsome gay man on the side.And he was never legally punished for the infidelity. He still had a job, had a wife doing all the chores, and still had a life. Albeit an unhappy one, but it’s still better than going to jail.
I feel like even if being gay were legal, he still would have caused suffering in the people around him because he is so clueless. And he would get away with it because he’s good looking.
I just don’t think he is a good person at all. Not malicious evil, bur not actively good either. Good looking and empty. I feel the book portrayed this well by leaving out his side of the story.
Even if they had ended up as a couple, I feel like the relationship wouldn’t have worked out. I predict the policemen would start to feel resentful about having to be the “dumb one” in the relationship, and Patrick would start to look preachy and annoying. The policeman will start to notice the flab and wrinkles under Patrick’s fancy clothes. Then goes the sexual attraction.
The policeman might start to make some art of his own, or write his own book. And Patrick will either be threatened by his talent, or be weirdly patronizing over his lack thereof. Either way I can only see strain and misery between these two.
I was expecting a “Brokeback Mountain”, and got a painful story about an unattractive woman instead.
The pain of what it feels like to be unwanted, and to pine for a man out of her league.
The desperate pursuing, self doubt, and consequent resentment. All because she chose someone who doesn’t like her.
I have half a mind to suspect she may have been autistic. I am autistic too, and the pain is too familiar.
I felt the policeman is the hidden “culprit” in this story. He had his cake and ate it too. He took advantage of a frumpy girl with a crush on him so he could have a wife and look good to the other people. And he got to enjoy a thrilling romance with a handsome gay man on the side.
I feel like even if being gay were legal, he still would have caused suffering in the people around him because he is so clueless. And he would get away with it because he’s good looking.
I just don’t think he is a good person at all. Not malicious evil, bur not actively good either. Good looking and empty. I feel the book portrayed this well by leaving out his side of the story.
Even if they had ended up as a couple, I feel like the relationship wouldn’t have worked out. I predict the policemen would start to feel resentful about having to be the “dumb one” in the relationship, and Patrick would start to look preachy and annoying. The policeman will start to notice the flab and wrinkles under Patrick’s fancy clothes. Then goes the sexual attraction.
The policeman might start to make some art of his own, or write his own book. And Patrick will either be threatened by his talent, or be weirdly patronizing over his lack thereof. Either way I can only see strain and misery between these two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism