Book Review: "Monday Morning" by Patrick Hamilton

Yes, it's another Patrick Hamilton novel. I wasn't sure I was going to read anymore of him yet after how bleak and miserable Twopence Coloured was and how I had already read two other slightly grim books by him. But, someone recommended Monday Morning which they also said was a bit lighter. Since I had nothing to read at that time, I agreed to try it out and honestly, it is not as sad as the other books at all. I think I might leave Patrick Hamilton for a while after this but then again, I could change my mind. It really just depends on whether I can find any more of these Dickensian descriptions in his books. That is probably their best feature.

The book introduces a world teeming with flawed yet intriguing characters and a setting rich in atmosphere. From men hopelessly drawn to unsuitable women, to forthright, eccentric comic figures, and the gritty allure of smoky bars and tawdry boarding-houses, the novel brims with themes and tropes that feel quintessentially Hamilton. The challenges of creative pursuits such as writing and acting feature prominently, alongside explorations of heavy drinking, the lure of prostitutes, and the pervasive loneliness of transient living. For a debut novel, this isn't too bad. But one thing that stood out for me is that there is humour in this book. For Patrick Hamilton that is quite something.

At the heart of the story is Anthony Forster, a romantic and idealistic eighteen-year-old poised at the threshold of adulthood. Anthony’s arrival in London marks what he perceives as the true beginning of his life—everything prior merely a prelude to this grand new chapter. With aspirations of becoming a celebrated writer and poet, Anthony is brimming with ambition, though he often finds himself mired in daydreams and procrastination, endlessly resolving to make a proper start “next Monday morning.” The Hamlet Problem is strong in this book. Procrastination really makes Anthony a relatable and yet, exhausting character. However, there are also simply too many distractions.

Anthony’s view of his future is coloured by both confidence and apprehension. He feels sure that success in journalism is within his grasp, yet the prospect also fills him with trepidation. Stories from his acquaintance, Wemyss, paint a picture of journalism as a frenzied world of relentless deadlines and fierce competition. Anthony finds this unglamorous grind unsettling, preferring instead to fantasise about a romanticised path to literary greatness: starving in a garret, producing immortal works, and perhaps even being found tragically dead one morning, bathed in the rosy glow of dawn. This tension between dreams and reality forms the emotional backbone of the novel. Again, another relatable issue. We all have dreams that often cannot become realities and yet, Anthony wants his to become one without really putting in the work to actually do so. But as his dreams become darker surrounding his picturesque and yet weird death, the reader becomes concerned for his actual awareness of the situation.

The plot itself is slight, serving primarily as a backdrop to Anthony’s experiences and inner life. His search for purpose and meaning in the vast expanse of London life is punctuated by love, confusion, and disillusionment. A key turning point comes with his encounter with Diane, a spirited yet shallow young woman staying at the same Kensington hotel, the Fauconberg. Their relationship is a tempestuous affair, marked by Anthony’s wild swings between passionate infatuation and crushing disillusionment. Diane’s capricious nature serves as both a source of excitement and heartache for Anthony, highlighting his youthful vulnerability and emotional volatility. This brings me on to the point about the more you read about Anthony, the less you actually think he is being realistic and therefore, the less intelligent he appears.

All in all, I think that this book is slightly better than the one I read previously and even though it is sometimes coloured with sadness, there is a weird sort of hope to it. Even though there are characters who are definitely on the wrong side of society, they are vividly interesting and paint incredible portraits of London during that time. It really was quite the debut for Patrick Hamilton and yet, it is nothing like the books I have already read by him.