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A review by sadiereadsagain
The Changeling by Robin Jenkins
5.0
This book is the story of what happens when teacher Charlie decides to take one of his brightest but most troubled and deprived pupils, Tom, on holiday with his family. Set in the 50's, the story takes us from a school in the East End of Glasgow, to the depths of a city slum where Tom lives, and then to the Argyll seaside where the drama really takes place. Tom struggles to assimilate into a middle class holiday, Charlie's children do not warm to him, and the adults (Charlie's wife and mother-in-law) are stacked against the idea from the beginning. Things do not go the way Charlie has hoped, and the result is devastating.
I really enjoyed this book, from so many angles and on so many levels. As a story, it's well paced and the writing is flawless. The characters are really well developed, and the ending left me speechless. As a resident of a similar "doon the watter" town where Glaswegians used to spend their holidays, and being really familiar with Dunoon (which I think Dunroth is based on) and Rothesay, it was a joy to read this slice of history which is so personal. My parents are babies of 50's Glasgow and my dad had similar holidays, so this was such a visceral read for me.
But more than anything, this is such a keen look at performative altruism and the damage that can be done by taking the "white knight" approach to those who live in poverty and deprivation. Particularly taking someone vulnerable out of their environment and expecting them to seamlessly assimilate. Charlie had good intentions, but the benevolence he extends doesn't go far enough as to create any sort of bond with Tom which could have made the situation much better for all involved. His choice of Tom as his beneficiary is likely more down to how it will reflect on him, and this is really shown in how he reacts when confronted by another boy from the slums, who he leaves to trail behind him like a dog and muses that if he actually were a dog he would throw stones at him to chase him off. When the whole family is confronted with the reality of Tom's background, we really see the attitudes that have made it so difficult for them to actually do any good for Tom. And I don't judge them for that, as gulf between them is massive and it's likely they've never been exposed to such different circumstances, but it acts as a perfect example as to why Charlie was never equipped for his act of charity. It serves to underline the importance of systemic change as opposed to hobbyist philanthropy.
This is the first Robin Jenkins' book I've read, but it wont be the last.
I really enjoyed this book, from so many angles and on so many levels. As a story, it's well paced and the writing is flawless. The characters are really well developed, and the ending left me speechless. As a resident of a similar "doon the watter" town where Glaswegians used to spend their holidays, and being really familiar with Dunoon (which I think Dunroth is based on) and Rothesay, it was a joy to read this slice of history which is so personal. My parents are babies of 50's Glasgow and my dad had similar holidays, so this was such a visceral read for me.
But more than anything, this is such a keen look at performative altruism and the damage that can be done by taking the "white knight" approach to those who live in poverty and deprivation. Particularly taking someone vulnerable out of their environment and expecting them to seamlessly assimilate. Charlie had good intentions, but the benevolence he extends doesn't go far enough as to create any sort of bond with Tom which could have made the situation much better for all involved. His choice of Tom as his beneficiary is likely more down to how it will reflect on him, and this is really shown in how he reacts when confronted by another boy from the slums, who he leaves to trail behind him like a dog and muses that if he actually were a dog he would throw stones at him to chase him off. When the whole family is confronted with the reality of Tom's background, we really see the attitudes that have made it so difficult for them to actually do any good for Tom. And I don't judge them for that, as gulf between them is massive and it's likely they've never been exposed to such different circumstances, but it acts as a perfect example as to why Charlie was never equipped for his act of charity. It serves to underline the importance of systemic change as opposed to hobbyist philanthropy.
This is the first Robin Jenkins' book I've read, but it wont be the last.