Book Review: "Several Perceptions" by Angela Carter

So I'm still trying to work my way through some Virago Modern Classics on the side of doing everything else on my reading list. This includes reading authors like Angela Carter. I've read a lot of her works such as The Bloody Chamber and others, but Several Perceptions was not only a book I had never read by her - I hadn't even heard of it until a few weeks ago. It really is a fantastic book if not a bit weird. However, there are Angela Carter's usual quirks for strange metaphors and folklore-inspired language. So, let's have a look at this new Angela Carter novel.

The story centres on Joseph, a young man grappling with the aftermath of a failed suicide attempt. Disenchanted with the world around him, Joseph embodies the existentialism of the 1960s, where cultural shifts, political upheavals, and personal uncertainties converge to create a pervasive sense of disconnection. His despair is triggered by a combination of personal failures, including the end of a love affair and his inability to find purpose in a society he views as hollow. Joseph’s introspection becomes the lens through which the novel unfolds. His thoughts, rich with philosophical and poetic reflections, reveal his profound discontent with societal norms and his yearning for authenticity. Angela Carter uses Joseph’s perspective to delve into themes of alienation and the human struggle to make sense of a fragmented and often nonsensical world. If you who love Albert Camus' works want some other novel that shows you how absurd human existence can be then this novel is definitely for you.

Joseph’s best friend, Viv, is a vibrant and hedonistic presence, representing a carefree embrace of life’s pleasures. Her boldness and irreverence contrast sharply with Joseph’s introspection, challenging his bleak worldview and providing moments of levity amid the darkness. Another key figure is Joseph’s former lover, Charlotte, whose departure serves as the catalyst for much of his despair. Her absence haunts him, symbolising both loss and the impossibility of recapturing the past. Through Charlotte, Carter examines the complexities of love, memory, and the ways in which human connections can both sustain and devastate us. Mrs Boulder, an older woman with whom Joseph strikes up an unexpected friendship, becomes a grounding presence in his life. Her straightforward wisdom and earthy humour provide a counterbalance to Joseph’s more abstract musings, reminding him—and the reader—of the value of simple, human connection. Another reason I loved this book was because of the fact that each character just represented a different angle upon which we view the alienation Joseph is going through.

Joseph’s rebellion manifests in both small acts of defiance and larger existential questions. He refuses to engage with the banalities of modern life, retreating into his own mind and questioning the purpose of existence. At the same time, his interactions with others reveal a desire to disrupt the status quo, whether by aiding a young woman in an unconventional way or by engaging in provocative conversations that challenge social norms. Carter’s critique extends to the political landscape of the 1960s, weaving references to protests, war, and shifting cultural paradigms into the narrative. Joseph’s despair is not only a personal crisis but a reflection of a generation grappling with the failures of traditional institutions and the search for new ways of understanding the world. For example: there's a part where I believe Viv and Joseph are asking whether the other supports the war in Vietnam. It's these weird interjections that not only give us a sense of time but also allow us to become involved with the characters on a political level.

All in all, through Joseph’s journey, Angela Carter delves into the depths of despair and the possibilities of renewal, capturing the beauty, pain, and absurdity of life in all its complexity. The absurd comes through in the supporting cast and how they interact with the main character. I absolutely loved reading this darkly comical and yet completely bizarre book, fuelled by Carter's usual requests of her writing to feature the folkish atmosphere - this novel makes for a great late night read in the cold darkness. If you need more Angela Carter to read, then this is your sign to read Several Perceptions next.