Truth is stranger than fiction

Acknowledgements to the web site barbelith.com for the following pseudonymous book review.  The review, published on a discussion forum in 2005, is written from the perspective of a politically 'correct' bigot but nevertheless provides some useful information.

Fugue for a Darkening Island

by Christopher Priest

Although it was pretty well regarded when it was published in the ‘70s, [1972] this book is rarely sold, read or mentioned these days. This is possibly because from the evidence of the rather misguided title and a brief summary of the plot, it could easily be mistaken for some kind of reactionary anti-immigration scare story. But I know Priest is a good egg, so I read it anyway, and I’m glad I did.

In brief, it goes a bit like this; After a series of ominously ill-defined catastrophes in Africa, an endless succession of rickety ships and barges begin docking all over England’s south coast baring [sic] hundreds of thousands of refugees. The right-wing government in power at the time deals with the crisis in the worst way imaginable, establishing virtual concentration camps with no real plan as to what to do, and encouraging the wave of racist attacks that sweep through middle England. Liberal opposition to this policy precipitates a parliamentary crisis, but still neither side know what to do. The Africans, tired of such shoddy and inept treatment, muster their strength as their numbers increase and are soon roaming the Home Counties attacking and occupying villages. Then comes confusion, displacement, civil war, greed and cruelty – stuff we’ve seen on the news a hundred times before, but bringing it back home to England is a chillingly effective device in upturning the reader’s perceptions of it. Like 'Random Acts..', 'Fugue..' is a short, sharp shock and Priest pulls no punches in exploring the nightmare he’s created through the eyes of the cynical, Ballard-esque protagonist as he tries rather haphazardly to protect his family and figure out which way to turn as they find themselves as helplessly stranded as any African refugee.

Obviously Priest doesn’t court xenophobia, but neither does he jump for any of the liberal open goals the plotline might suggest – like 'Heart of Darkness' (which I guess this is kind of an update of in a lot of ways), the book remains non-partisan and offers no heavy-handed political message and no easy answers – the narrative remains cold, simplistic, amoral and brutal as the characters try to stay alive – the violence and betrayals are shocking and harrowing. The basic message - "this is everyone’s fault – we’re all ******". It's the good old Wyndham-esque English disaster novel turned very, very dark indeed.

The following comes from Christopher Priest's own web site

Fugue for a Darkening Island

Published Earthlight, 1999. ISBN 0 671 03390 5 [paperback £6.99; pp.251]. First published in hardcover by Faber. This edition is a joint publication with Inverted World (as 'Omnibus 2'). Also available in translation.

What they say "A chilling and convincing new novel with a remarkably topical title. Mr Priest's novel is short and stark but his character study is solid and completely credible. A provocative and disturbing allegory that has echoes for us all." - Graham Lord, Sunday Express.

One of Chris Priest's earliest novels (first published in 1972). In its day Fugue was thought of as a modern version of the familiar 'British catastrophe' science fiction novel, but subsequent world events have given the story a sinister topicality. Tragic refugees escaping political and military upheaval at home are now all too frequently seeking asylum elsewhere. In Fugue, survivors of a terrible African war flee their blighted continent, and look for refuge in the countries of the West.

[ENDS]

The book may be ordered from Amazon.  Alternatively, one could request to borrow Fugue for a Darkening Island from one's local public library.  Even if it is not held in stock the library would be able to obtain a copy for loan, and this sounds like the kind of book that deserves as wide an audience as possible.

Mr Priest revised the novel some years ago, perhaps partly with a view to defending himself against accusations of 'racism' from the usual quarters.  However, copies of the story as first published are on sale via Amazon.