I didn't review the first book I read by Dominic Knight (his first, Disco Boy) because I know the author. Not well, mind you, but still. It's always a bit tricky, reviewing a book on its merits and trying to separate it from one's personal knowledge of a writer. But I decided to put worry to one side after reading Man vs Child. The book engaged me and I wanted to write a review and decided it was silly not to simply because of personal affiliations.
One thing I love about Knight's books is that they are unashamedly set in Sydney, Australia. Familiar bars and cafes and suburbs populate the narrative so that when I read this book as a newly settled Torontonian I could imagine myself back home. That's nice. Obviously it won't have the same resonance for people who don't or haven't lived in Sydney, but Knight's novels are a fun way to get a real glimpse of life in that city if you're interested.
This is a book about a guy trying to make it in the world of stand-up comedy (day job: radio producer) and his relationship with a woman who has a baby, which changes his view on life and commitment and the notion of having kids. It's a funny book, genuinely funny, and made me laugh out loud a few times. The protagonist, 34-year-old Dan, is entirely believable and Knight's writing is confident and strong. I found the narrative addictive, particularly as Dan's radio production job starts to develop into something more exciting.
Like many 30-somethings, Dan finds that his social circle is shrinking as fellow singles hook up, get married, have babies and cease going out or (apparently) having any fun at all. Notwithstanding the pressure from his parents to tick all the right boxes and bring home some grandchildren, Dan is entirely uninterested in the prospect of procreating and can't understand his friends' fascination with their children's most banal activities. But when his old high school crush, Penny, walks back into his life, newly single and toting a toddler accessory, it doesn't take long for Dan to change his tune. Little Lloyd has a soft spot for Dan who suddenly gets how intoxicating it can be when a tiny human being regards you with love and adoration. As Dan's radio career develops and his stand-up takes off, he finds himself dreaming of a family life he had previously eschewed.
It's an absorbing story, a satisfying coming-of-age tale. I always enjoy finding male writers who come to grips with emotions and romance on the page in a light-hearted manner. It's rare, I think. Knight is like an Australian Nick Hornby, and that's high praise indeed, coming from me - I've read all of Hornby's books.
My only gripe with this novel is that Dan's ruminations on his friends' behaviour once they have children are irritating if you are someone who has children. His ignorance of what it's like to have children is understandable, but his total absence of any empathy with parents make it appear as though he is ignorant of more than just the state of parenthood. He comes across as slightly autistic or incredibly self-absorbed, unable to imagine what a change it would be to suddenly have a small being entirely dependent upon you all of the time. Instead of recognizing that his friends might be suffering some shock of their own in undergoing such dramatic life changes, Dan seems to believe that his friends are lording it over him as soon as they have children, that their absence in his life is more to do with their judgement of his life choices than their loss of actual physical freedom.
It's fine for a character to embody such traits, and I guess it's partly the point of the story. But I experienced a high degree of frustration in moments where he exhibited such an unbelievably extreme lack of understanding for part of the human condition.
Overall assessment: 3.5 out of 5
Pros: Funny, engaging, enjoyable read.
Cons: See above.
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