Two nonfiction and one fiction.

The Castle by Jon Ronson

Ronson’s blend of memoir and narrative ‘true crime’ is very easy to read. I am all there for his brand of self-deprecating humour and his light (but I’m sure accurate) dive into deeper issues (in this case, the manosphere).

I chose to listen to this book because Ronson reads it – his distinct, slightly congested-sounding voice, delivering seemingly irrelevant details, make it so funny. His capacity to insert the small details into the broader narrative is what gives his writing texture – The Castle begins as a story about his son attending a party and goes on to explore a ‘…world of unravelling men’. The shift between the personal and the global, the nitty-gritty and huge generalisations, create irresistible pace. One minute we’re considering whether the focus of this story could have possibly set up a global sex-trafficking operation and the next there’s mention of his dealings with a local business –

Selling antiques at a strip club is something that raises various red flags to me…

The overall result is like seeing a great comedy show, where the comedian starts with a funny story, goes off on a dozen tangents, and pulls it all together at the end with a return to the opening punchline. It’s a great skill.

4/5

Sirens by Martin McKenzie-Murray

Sirens focuses on three first responders – a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter. McKenzie-Murray explores the circumstances that drew them to their work: a deep desire to serve their community; a need for control; an acute awareness of danger; and also examines the profound costs of the work and what happens when these three people no longer have the outlet that their job provides.

The focus on individuals allows McKenzie-Murray to examine trauma, PTSD and specifically, the vicarious trauma that first responders are exposed to. He explores the link between people who work in emergency services and their history of trauma – their need to have things ‘black and white’ and for quick, structured decisions to be made. More generally, as a ‘rescuer’ they have spent so much time taking care of others, that their own care is often minimised (which, although ultimately detrimental, is often a familiar space for people who have experienced childhood trauma).

I am not a trauma therapist but rarely do I meet a client that has not experienced trauma, so I am used to explaining it and containing it. I will be borrowing McKenzie-Murray simple explanation of PTSD –

…your amygdala is your ‘ancient lighthouse keeper’ and sometimes it can’t distinguish its task. With PTSD your fight/ flight response is no longer subtle.

This book won’t be for everyone – the three case studies are extremely confronting but I hope that it highlights the need for us, as a society, to take more care of our emergency service workers and to better understand the impact of vicarious trauma.

4/5

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers

I find Eggers to be a versatile writer, one who doesn’t confine themselves to particular genres or structures. But I realised on reading Contrapposto, that I’ve been holding on to my love for Heartbreaking Work, as the reason to read all of his other books. I read Heartbreaking Work when it was released – 26 years ago. Would I love it as much now if I re-read it? Somehow I don’t want to expose myself to disappointment, so I’ll leave it in my memory, glowing, as a deeply-engrossing story about two brothers.

Okay, I have said more about Heartbreaking Work than Contrapposto… the ingredients are there – two characters with their own challenges and flaws; art; unfulfilled love – but it lacked the magic that somehow I’ve held onto, expecting, for 26 years.

I’m not breaking-up with Eggers BUT I’ve adjusted my expectations (and I will always love what he does to promote reading, writing and the arts, especially with children).

3/5