All Is Song

The latest novel by Bath Spa University lecturer Harvey (her first was The Wilderness) is not so much a piece of fiction as an extended essay on faith, identity and personal responsibility. Leonard has returned to London after spending a year in Edinburgh attending to his dying father, whose final wish was for Leonard to seek understanding in the actions of his older brother, William, whose constant questioning of the world and himself may or may not have led to unfortunate consequences in the past. Moving in with William, his wife and children, Leonard tries to re-establish relations with his brother, until William’s personal doctrine lands him in trouble once again.

Though fluidly written, Harvey’s novel is thin on action and heavy on thoughts, and while she should be admired for tackling such weighty topics, it is at times hard to retain interest in the lengthy philosophical debates between the characters. However much Harvey may position William as a great thinker, whose intelligence is misunderstood, her central character is a difficult character to empathise with – or indeed like – meaning his eventual fate elicits little sympathy.

A good but ponderous follow-up to the superb The Wilderness.