A review by kate_lemer
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I cannot believe I let myself finish this book. Just another proof that some hype is really just not worth it. In the beginning I really liked it - the descriptive language roused a very familiar melancholia within me - after years of not travelling, I longed to be in England again. That did not hold for long. 

The author mentions doing some research into the topic (being a homosexual in the 20th century), so I will not dispute that. What I wonder about is her remarks about Marion - how accurate could her depiction of life in 50s England be? Or is it just the author's biased projection onto the past?

Regarding the characters, I'm confused. Tom is not acting consistently at all.
As your husband, I command you...
There certainly weren't any signs that he is a raging misogynist. The way Marion is portrayed is very misleading as well. Does the author really want us to feel sympathetic towards a homophobe? In the beginning, she is extremely naive. This becomes glaringly obvious after reading Patric's part. She's whiny, hides behind I'm a woman, I can't even take a piss without the permission from the whole wide world.

The reading experience - reading the first half - is also spoilt by the fact that something must happen for their lifes to come crashing down. Reading the second half is spoilt because
naive little Marion just have to be a spiteful bitch. She really is a piece of work. Nasty. In some ways, I think Tom and her deserve each other. They both like playing up the victim role. Also, I find it very strange that the author went so far as to make it to diary entries of Patric and Marion (Marion having the largest share of telling by far) and not letting us see Tom's perspective. The ending was horrible too. Can't imagine being in the pair's place and reading what the wretched woman had done. She caused Patric to go to prison for goodness' sake! Isn't she capable of even an ounce of self-reflection?


If I wanted to read homophobic drivel, I would've selected something written in that period. 
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