Peter Smart's Confessions

PETER SMART’S CONFESSIONS

by Paul Bailey

 

Nomination: Booker Finalist 1977

 

Date Read: February 2, 2021

 

Peter Smart’s Confessions opens with Peter in the hospital for an intentional overdose and the doctor berating him for attempting suicide. Although he recovers, this novel does not. Peter’s life and personality are shaped by the horrible (some have said grotesque) family, friends and acquaintances surrounding him.

 

One of the largest influence is Peter’s mother. She never refers to him by name but calls him “You.” With that single word she sentences him to the permanently accused, forever suspecting him of some misdeed, error or outright lie. In private she is a monster; in public, she puts on an act so that others believe her to be pleasant. The only person for which her mask drops is Neville, Peter’s friend and roommate.

 

Peter himself is mild-mannered and often sarcastic. Although he does make mistakes in his life (who hasn’t?) I believe his greatest failure is his own perception of himself. He is more talented and intelligent than he gives himself credit for. The depression that follows him throughout his life is totally understandable when reflecting on his life.

 

Peter enters into a disagreeable marriage, essentially being trapped by a pregnancy. Of course, the reader can see this train-wreck occurring from a mile away but the fact that Peter eventually rescues himself is cause for celebration. 

 

Although I found this book to overall forgettable, the jellied eel mentioned throughout was cause for research. My son and I watched a Youtube video of Gordon Ramsey eel fishing and brutally killing eels to make this dish that will outlast the memory of this novel. 

 

Looking Ahead: Gabriel’s Lament

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