Virtuoso Friend

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Katherine Heiny's novel, 'Standard Deviation' so completely blew my socks off that it was with some trepidation that I approached her latest, 'Early Morning Riser'. When you revere someone, you don't want them to let you down. I had heard that the leading lady in this one falls for a man who has clocked up more notches on his bedpost than Casanova, which sounded interesting, and possibly amusing, but hardly the most promising scenario for a memorable novel...

How wrong I was. Yes, the story is about Jane, who, freshly alone, finds herself in a relationship with Duncan, serial bedder-of-women and odd-job-man extraordinaire; the sort of laid back, good-looking guy whom any sensible, heterosexual female knows she should avoid. Things kick off on the first page, when Jane has managed to lock herself out of her house (wearing her pyjamas because she is a school teacher and it was Pyjama Day) and Duncan rocks up in his dusty white van to help her get back in. Tellingly, he manages to do so without changing the locks; and thinking about this later, I decided that it was an approach that summed up the method and ingenuity of the entire novel. Nothing quite happens in the way the reader - or the protagonists - expect it to. Instead, whenever an obvious path opens up, bumps or sharp bends get in the way. Exactly like life, which is another reason why this was such a superb read.

To describe any of the plot bumps, or hint at how things turn out, would ruin the fun for the reader, so I am going to resist. The cast of characters swells to include many besides Jane and Duncan, with friends, family members and ex-lovers playing key roles. The sweep of time is ambitious and satisfying - Heiny does not shy away from following through on the consequences of the actions taken by her protagonists. There is loss, and tragedy, and love, landing in laps at unexpected moments, as is their wont. Despite this, I cannot recall a book making me laugh so loudly, or so often. Indeed, the funny-ness that Heiny finds, in even the most dire and heart-rending situations - while not for one beat undermining those situations - is truly extraordinary. It is as if her writing, her turn of phrase, finds a unique sweet spot between comedy and sadness, one that sees through human weaknesses while managing also to rejoice in them. 'Standard Deviation' had many surprising and subtly hilarious moments, but in 'Early Morning Riser' the magic finds new levels.

The point about a story-teller of Heiny's calibre - one who grabs the reader with a page-turning emotional drama, while at the same time making them howl with laughter - is that you know you are in the hands of someone who loves as well as understands the vulnerability and volatility of people. Heiny's characters are full of flaws; they muddle along, as we all do, looking for love and self-fulfilment, getting snatches of both, usually from the least expected quarters. Yet Heiny writes every story-line with such compassion, such love. She understands her protagonists and in the process makes the reader - us - feel understood too. It is such a talent. Like being in the company of a wise, funny, virtuoso friend.

I didn't want 'Early Morning Riser' to end. Towards the final chapters, I tried and failed to slow down. I kept thinking, she can't keep this up - the power and humour and insight - it will all start to flag. But it didn't. When the story finished I was sad. I am missing it still.



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