Milkman by Anna Burns
Synopsis:
“In this unnamed city, to be interesting is dangerous. Middle sister, our protagonist, is busy attempting to keep her mother from discovering her maybe-boyfriend and to keep everyone in the dark about her encounter with Milkman. But when first brother-in-law sniffs out her struggle, and rumours start to swell, middle sister becomes 'interesting'. The last thing she ever wanted to be. To be interesting is to be noticed and to be noticed is dangerous. Milkman is a tale of gossip and hearsay, silence and deliberate deafness. It is the story of inaction with enormous consequences.” ~ Goodreads
Review:
Reviews seem divided about Milkman, a lot of this attributed to the language of the novel. Anna Burns utilizes the voice of a female protagonist to discuss the political division, violence, and upheaval of a community in Northern Ireland. The best way I can describe the prose is an almost contained stream-of-consciousness with a hint of James Joyce’s Ulysses. At brief times, the overly analytical descriptions of the protagonists’ experiences can become tiresome, particularly at the very end. I initially began the book as an audiobook, and I think this was helpful in capturing the cadence and movement of the language. It was then easier for me to find a rhythm while reading after listening to the narration. The prose was incredibly rhythmic, and the repetition of certain phrases reiterated the complexity of some of the issues explored within the text. Burns provides readers with just enough information, but overall her writing style creates a feeling of intimacy that flows off the page.
Although there are no specific mentions as to what is going on politically, it becomes more apparent that the novel takes place during “The Troubles,” in Northern Ireland. A predominant issue within the narrative focuses on the tension between Protestants and Catholics, which has led to a divided nation and a lot of violence. Although the author never specifically mentions names, sides are referred to as the “renouncers,” or those “over-the-water,” or the “paramilitary.” Characters are also nameless and are referred to as “maybe-boyfriend,” “first brother-in-law,” “middle sister,” etc. Names become a huge part of a person’s identity, and by stripping characters of a name their identities also become more illusive, allowing them greater freedom to change throughout the narrative. This is especially important considering the setting includes a community where it’s normal for people to go missing and for young people to die. It’s also a world where it’s more normal to talk about car explosives than it is to read while walking in public. The protagonist rejects her community by trying to keep herself invisible; yet the very thing she thinks will keep her obscure makes her stand out. Trouble always resides just around the corner, and in a small community there is no hiding. Anna Burns’ Milkman is essentially an intimate coming of age story that takes place during a time of great confusion and violence. I recommend the novel for those looking for something a bit challenging and thought-provoking.