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gillian_barbieri 's review for:
Elmet
by Fiona Mozley
Elmet is a story unlike any other that I have read. While I like to think I am generally aware of issues affecting those marginalized by society, I sometimes lose perspective of the breadth of people who may be perceived as outcasts. Elmet is the story of Daniel and Cathy, children of a man known throughout the novel as "Daddy." While Daddy is not abusive towards his children, he has a deep-rooted hatred, which often manifests in violence, towards authority and the law, and the inevitable oppressive effect these two groups have on those who viewed as lower class by the realm of society. While we never learn exactly why Daddy's views have been formed the way they have, we can assume there are deep-rooted mentalities that are based in oppressive systems. While Elmet is set in present day and is incredibly timely, as it relates to current events facing much of the Western hemisphere, it is told in a timeless voice, with echoes of a much more feudal, agrarian society that many of the more urbanized class can easily forget still exist in our own countries. In my opinion, Elmet is a worthy Man Booker contender and is well worth the read.