Wide Open by Nicola Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Island Life

The Isle of Sheppey, set in the mudflats of the Thames estuary, has limited appeal as a tourist destination. But according to Nicola Barker, its attraction lies not in its scenery but its intriguing population of eccentric summer-folk who find it just right for escaping what might be called normality. Most don’t know who they are; some even swap identities. Others are genetically defective with odd behavioural consequences. At least two are psychotic; but one of them may not even be real. Still others are simply confused by the circumstances of life and prefer the isolation.

Barker enmeshes the reader in this confusing melange of Sheppey from the outset. The backstories of each of the characters are connected to some bizarre family tragedy in which they all are involved. The slow revelation of this tragedy is the substance of the novel. Magical coincidence reigns throughout as the various symbols laid down like gingerbread crumbs coalesce.

The technique is that of a sort of literary fan dance. The narrative twists and turns suggest what’s there, but no more. As one of the characters says: “That the thing you are most interested in is the thing no one gets to see.” Each of the tics, and foibles, and stray comments increases the reader’s eagerness for more. It’s cheaply seductive; and it works.

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