Browsing the Bookshelves

A quirky short story - just 80 pages or so - which starts off rooted in the earthy reality of football, adultery and jealousy but becomes increasingly bizarre as the narrative progresses. Leo and Trevor are twins. Separated shortly after birth, they were unaware of each others' inexistence until a chance encounter led to their reunion.  Augustus relates in direct and dramatic style how that reunion affects their lives and ultimately comes full circle, accounting for manipulation and human weakness which led to their separation. This is gritty humanity unwritten with emotion; its family dynamics interlaced with spirituality; it’s the south London immigrant community meets psycho. Patrick's style is forthright, choppy, and very funny in places, which keeps the narrative moving along at a cracking pace. In the end though, although I thoroughly enjoyed Don’t' Make Me Laugh, I found it a little unsatisfying. I wanted to know more of the brothers, more of their mother who abandoned them, and more of their father and more of how the pain and betrayal that each has inflicted on the others affects their lives.