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Amazon.co.uk Review
Like Graham Swift's Last Orders, Gee makes judicious use of a multi-voiced narrative. This inventive structure provides a disturbingly intimate understanding of the emotions and prejudices of the Whites, while contributions from subsidiary figures such as Darren's childhood friend, the failed novelist Thomas Lovell, help to extend the vista beyond the immediate family. With the possible exception of Dirk, whose suppressed homosexuality is overblown, her characters are richly drawn; imbued with truly human strengths and failings. Dirk's venomous racist rants, which later spill into violence, are deeply shocking, but Gee's real achievement is to examine the more subtle and insidious forms of racism (and of homophobia) in British society today. --Travis Elborough --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Gee is a fabulous stylist, juggling a narrative imparted by not 1 not 2 but 6 different voices with skill and panache. The changes between the different members of the fated White family and its circle never falter, never stumble. Each is perfect, convincing and awesomely touching.
The White Family is not, however, a cheery book - it is full of many colours of pain - but it is profound and moving. It is a book beset by the sadness at the heart of our society and lives, where relationships are splintered by bigotry, history, prejudice and fear. On the surface it is deep enough as a study of the roots of racism and racial hatred, but it goes even deeper into the fragmentation of our very souls.
The White Family is a lyrical work. A family tragedy of Shakespearean scale. Read it when you are feeling strong and secure. But read it BEFORE The Flood.
Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective. Whilst this enables the reader to form their own opinions of the characters rather than following the bias of a single narrator. This episodic structure sometimes makes the book a less compelling read, as you can put it down and pick it up again without losing any momentum.
The book shows how appearences can be decieving, from an outsider's point of view the White family is faultless. Underneath the cover however is a family living in fear of it's abusive, racist patriarch. It also demonstrates the connections we have with people and how our actions effect a far greater circle than we can possible concieve.
The book may not be for all tastes, as some of the narration is severe and shocking. However, if you are willing to persevere then there is a lot to learn from this novel. It is far fetched at points, a little too coincidental but this is easily overlooked as Maggie Gee's novel is a lot like a soap. A lot of issues and problems affecting the one family...yet somehow is acceptable as without this it would lose the message it is putting across. In modern society what is acceptable?
Alfred White, the hospitalised dying Park Keeper father lies at the centre of the story with daily family visits to his bedside triggering the portrayal of actions, feelings, and happenings of each character.
Apart from portraying their surfaces, the author delves deeper into their pasts to account for the present. From May his dedicated wife, to his daughter sexy Shirley, and Dirk his youngest murderous son. Plus family racial tension.
Each intermittent short insight into the family members leaves the reader wanting more. They are not disappointed.
The story past and present unfolds as Alfred proceeds towards his dramatic demise.
The "No Ending" last chapter entrances well beyond the end. Over four hundred pages. A fine novel. A writing gem.
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