Characters to reflect the worst of modern life

Published date06 November 2021
Publication titleMix, The
John Boyne

Penguin Random House

One of The Echo Chamber’s epigraphs quotes Umberto Eco’s disdain for the vapid world of social media, where all and sundry can pour forth their illustrious opinions into a self-serving vacuum of righteousness. Eco terms this the ‘‘invasion of the idiots’’. John Boyne’s set of characters is just this. In the opening scenes of his latest novel we are introduced to the Cleverley family, who reside in Belgravia. Pompous patriarch George is a prominent television personality who fancies himself a thoroughly modern man. His wife Beverley is similarly self-important. She is a patronising wannabe writer who hires intelligent young women to be her ghosts. Their lengthy marriage has seen its ups and downs and is about to ingest more doses of drama.

Of the young adult offspring, simple-minded Nelson, with his predilection for uniforms — any uniform will do — is the only one with likeable qualities. While, according to his younger brother, he’s ‘‘so far back in the closet he’s got one foot in Narnia’’, he is working on his interpersonal skills. Nelson cannot abide his mother’s text-speak, and, like his father, has little tolerance of fads and ‘‘influencers’’. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is surgically attached to her phone. A layabout, she whiles away her days trying to earn ‘‘likes’’ on social media, polishing her digital halo as she volunteers at homeless shelters merely for the attention. Elizabeth also trolls famous people, trying to boost her fame, and gains rushes of welcome adrenaline when others engage in vicious online battles with her.

The youngest, presciently recognised by his family as an actual idiot, is teenage Achilles. With...

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