Pop

POP

by Kitty Aldridge

 

Nomination: Women's Prize Longlist 2002

 

Date Read: October 25, 2021

 

After her mother dies (I believe she committed suicide but it was never quite clear), Maggie is sent to live with Arthur Landywood, her grandfather who requests she call him Pop. Her father is in the U.S. and cannot be found, leaving Pop as her closest living relative. At first, Pop declines taking her on but calls the social worker back immediately even though he knows he “…has no use for a 13-year old girl.”

 

Pop is fundamentally a sweet man with a simple way of life, enjoying his rounds at the local pubs and pining for Iris. His other heart’s desire is to be the winner at the local quiz match. And then there’s Blowbroth, a useless dog with an even more useless name.

 

Maggie coming into Pop’s life doesn’t disturb his lifestyle as much as one would think. She tags along on his rounds to the pubs. She helps him in his efforts to woo Iris, helping with a bird table (?) and dropping off love letters for him. She quizzes him in random knowledge to shore him up for the upcoming trivia night. 

 

Due his sheer drive, Pop wins the local Trivia night with all the bragging rights that come with it. And since he did so well, Carl, a neighbor, puts him up for a TV show called Sale Of The Century, which seems to be the UK’s version of Jeopardy with remaindered household appliances thrown in. Although he doesn’t win, he basks in the attention and experience.

 

Pop is an odd novel in which nothing really eventful happens. Instead the reader is treated to a window into the life of Pop and Maggie who are just wandering from day to day trying to do the best they can. I can’t say I got a lot out of this book but it was sweet nonetheless.