Western Lane is one of two very short books on this year’s Booker Prize shortlist. Chetna Maroo is a British Indian novelist who lives in the UK and Western Lane is her debut novel. It feels like a brave and unusual work – it is not what you would expect a first novel to be and this suggests a certain confidence on the part of the author and, gratifyingly and even more unusually, a willingness to take a risk on the part of the publisher. A risk that appears to have paid off!
The main character in the novel is Gopi, but it is about a family, a father and his three daughters, trying to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the devastating death of their mother. Set in Luton, the family comprises Gopi and her two older sisters, Khush and Mona. When their mother dies, their father, ‘Pa’, decides that they need a focus and decides sport is the answer. He takes them to the leisure centre at Western Lane for frequent training, but it is only really Gopi who shows any significant aptitude or enthusiasm. Visiting Western Lane so regularly means Gopi gets to know one of the other young and talented players, Ged, to whom she is clearly attracted. Pa also seems to enjoy a connection with Ged’s mother.
Gradually, Khushi and Mona give up their squash, but Gopi’s progress becomes almost the family’s project. When the opportunity arises for Gopi to take part in a competition in Durham and Cleveland, this provides a goal for them to work towards. Pa and the coach at Western Lane draw on the strong tradition of successful Pakistani and Indian players, watching videos and studying their tactics, to both motivate and instruct Gopi.
Against the backdrop of Gopi’s developing prowess in squash there is the deterioration in the family home. Pa has focused so intensely on his daughters that he neglects his own mental and physical health. Monai, the eldest of the three girls nearly becomes the little mother in the household, even using the small wages she gets from her part-time jobs to buy food. It comes to a head when Pa has a near-breakdown. At around the same time, Gopi injures Ged when the pair are practicing together and Ged’s mother will no longer let him play her. The girls’ auntie and uncle who live in Edinburgh, come to visit and are appalled by the state of the home and how the girls are being brought up. Something must be done.
This is a story about grief and about coming of age, and particularly for young girls trying to navigate that process without a mother. The book is also about the healing power of sport, which is an interesting and novel way to approach the issue of grief. It is a small, quiet, gentle novel, but no less powerful for that. Is it Booker-shortlist-worthy? I’m not sure. I enjoyed it and would recommend it but I can’t say it is a great book.
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You’re right, not a standard debut, but something about it still felt a little debut-y to me. A bit too obvious in its metaphors and plotting, I guess.
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Yes, I know the Booker can sometimes throw up some curveballs, but I’m not quite sure how this one has made the shortlist.
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