Martin John

Inadequate: The inadequate molester is the sex offender who least resembles social and behavioural norms. He is characterized as a social misfit, an isolate, who appears unusual or eccentric. He may be mentally ill and prefers non-threatening sexual partners. Martin John, the novel, is an uncomfo......more

I was surprised to read some reviews describing this book as a comedy. Though it contains a number of hilarious scenes, to me it is primarily a sad and disturbing portrait of a vastly troubled mind. But whatever about the categorization of the book, Martin John Gaffney is a character that will not b......more

A phenomenal book. Audacious in the subject matter and in its structure which confounds the reader’s feelings about the eponymous character. Initially MJ is a sympathetic character, forced from his native Ireland to a London by ‘that thing’ and repeatedly told by his mother to work only nights, to n......more

Not really sure what to make of this; its nomination for the Goldsmiths Prize (for innovation in literature) makes sense, as the style is fairly unique - but innovative does not necessarily equate to excellence, and in this case I was more bored than shocked (perhaps becoming numb to sexual predatio......more

Martin John starts with the rather striking opening page: "Index 1. Martin John has made mistakes. 2. Check my card. 3. Rain will fall. 4. Harm was done 5. It put me in the Chair." These 5 "refrains", as well as the disjointed narrative style, will recur throughout the novel. Shortlisted for the 201......more