Review of ATTEND by West Camel

 4 Stars

Recently I had the pleasure of reading Fall by West Camel and it wowed me (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2022/02/review-of-fall-by-camel-west.html); therefore, I couldn’t resist reading his debut novel, Attend.  It’s one of the most unusual books I’ve read – in a good way.

As the cover suggests, the book has three intertwined stories.  Anne, 45, is a recovering heroin addict who has returned to Deptford to reconnect with her family.  Sam is a young gay man who has recently moved to southeast London.  Sam and Anne’s live intersect when Sam falls in love with Derek, a man whom Anne has known for years.  More importantly, their lives are connected by their separate friendships with Deborah, an old woman who tells them fantastical tales of her life, including finding an intricate needlework motif she found in a tunnel.  She believes that motif has granted her immortality. 

The three characters have much in common.  As a recovering addict, a gay man, and an old woman, they live on the margins of society.  They could be described as lost souls who are well acquainted with loneliness.  They are struggling to be seen and are looking for a sense of belonging.  Anne, for instance, is seeking a place within her family; her drug usage meant she was largely absent for years.  Now she is trying to earn her family’s trust and reconnect with her mother, daughter and grandson.  Sam, a newcomer to the city, is looking for someone who will understand, accept, and love him.  Deborah, an old woman, is ignored by virtually everyone; in fact, she is surprised when Anne and Sam see her because “’Very few people do.’”  (I found myself humming “Eleanor Rigby” when taking breaks from reading the book.)

The most interesting character for me was Deborah.  Her stories of her past are heart-breaking, and now she is overwhelmingly lonely and feels invisible.  There is a sense of mystery about her:  more than once the reader will question if she is real.  Certainly, some of her appearances can only be described as uncanny.  At times, it seems as if she is prescient; at others, she behaves almost like one of the Moirai.  Does she seek out Anne and Sam because she senses kindred spirits who might help her:  “Everything was simply found by those who happened to be looking in the right places”?  Though she wants them to attend to her, to be present and pay attention and take care of her, she ends up helping them.  Her stories help Anne and Sam make sense of their own lives.  It’s fitting that she’s a seamstress because she binds them together and helps them mend their lives. 

The book is difficult to categorize:  it doesn’t fit any one genre.  It has mystery, romance, elements of historical and literary fiction, and touches of fairy tales (Hansel and Gretel) and mythology (the thread of life).  Anne and Sam are both on journeys of self-discovery.  And there’s magic realism.  This latter genre does not generally appeal to me, but the author was not heavy-handed with the fantastical.  Readers can opt for logical explanations for the surreal events or fully embrace the magical moments. 

The narrative is not action-packed, but it is a compelling read.  A very unique plot written in elegant prose reminds us of the importance of connection; by working together, all the characters find some contentment.  Deborah is obsessed with a complex needlework motif, but she weaves an equally intricate tapestry when she brings Anne and Sam into her life. 

When I have the time to re-read this novel, I’m sure I’ll notice more threads to which I should attend.