Lead Review
- Book: Bellevue Square
- Location: Toronto
- Author: Michael Redhill
#IsThatYou
A novel that slides across genres, set in and around an existing park, Bellevue Square, in the heart of Toronto.
Winner of the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize
Bellevue Square: Measuring just under half a hectare, Bellevue Square is a small park in the heart of Toronto’s Kensington Market neighbourhood. This park features a wading pool, playground and drinking fountain. It is also home to a life size bronze statue of Toronto-born actor and director Al Waxman, best known for his role as Larry King in the television series “King of Kensington”. (wikipedia)
Jean runs a bookshop and gradually it becomes clear that she has a Doppelgänger in the vicinity. There is photographic evidence that she, although she doesn’t recognise herself, is out and about amongst groups of people who are unfamiliar to her. Hair lengths may vary slightly between the two but the person in the photos is definitely a familiar likeness.
People comment on the phenomenon, can it really be true? Who might it be? She has no known twin or close relation – all she has is a sister living in Phoenix. Her interest is certainly piqued.
She leaves the Bookshop where she works, to keep vigil in Bellevue Square, which her Doppelgänger is known to frequent. Short stays become drawn out vigils as she yearns to make the acquaintance of Ingrid, her double. Her family life is neglected which allows her mother-in-law to slice her way into the fabric of her life. Time passes and her behaviour becomes more erratic as she extends the search for Ingrid.
Readers begin to connect the pieces, but in which direction might the book be headed? Just imagine how it might feel to know that your “double” is out there, close by, perhaps watching you, just as you watching her, watching you…. just like unending images in a row of mirrors. It would be quite unnerving, I imagine. All this is happening to Jean, who seemingly is in a fragile mental state, the neural pathways are misaligned, what is her reality? Maybe crazy is indeed normal? This begs the question whether the phenomenon of the Doppelgänger might tip someone over the edge; or is the whole situation an imagining of a potent and creative mind?? The book is like jagged shards of glass, a maze offering different perspectives, confusion and images. It is a book that just needs to flow, like a 35mm film, people passing through, observations, the odd murder and suddenly the end is in sight. It’s a shape-shifting novel, with smoke and mirrors. Who is telling the story, who is the observer…..
It is a veritable psychological journey as we travel up the dead ends, and meander through the machinations of a mind. What is real, what is imagined, who is to say.
I am sure that anyone who knows Toronto will find a foothold of familiarity in the novel.
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