The End of Nightwork

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Interesting novel about a rare aging illness, marriage, age, a 17th century prophet, and conspiracy theorists. Photograph: Tristram Kenton/the Guardian ‘What misery to be wise’ … Greg Hicks as Tiresias in The Oedipus Plays by Sophocles at the National Theatre in 1996. The End of Nightwork braids the domestic with the political, showing both in a state of collapse: as Pol’s marriage slowly degrades, a radical organisation gathers momentum, looking to take power back for the world’s youth.

Now in his early 30s, married to teacher Caroline and living in Kilburn with their young son, Jesse, Pol still has the appearance of a sprightly 23-year-old. I think anyone reading it will find themselves both entertained and intrigued, and I very much look forward to what the author does next.There's a lot to think about with this book, some of which I think went over my head and other of which was interesting. Past, present and future; radioactive mutants, baseball, the Harlem River and the four horses of the apocalypse jostle each other for room in her effortlessly baroque sentences. alongside his physical storyline, we also see him become invested in prophetic 17th century writings which theorise an ecological disaster.

Along with the various inventions that he brings to Macondo, Melquiades also delivers a series of prophecies, written on parchment in Sanskrit verse.Pol’s sister, Caoimhe, who is sceptical of his condition, makes cryptic observations that are left hanging: “He’s been disappearing his whole life. The story of Pol (Polonius) and his family is indeed told in a way that is refreshing to read: well observed, clever dialogue (the girls in this book get some great lines!